Federal judge in OKC called ‘tough as nails, but fair'

The judge — who is overseeing the Sharia law case — was nominated for the federal bench in September 1994 by President Bill Clinton.

Before that, she was the U.S. attorney for the western district. She took over the top federal prosecutor's job in September 1993 after spending seven years as a Democratic state senator from Oklahoma City.

Before joining the Legislature, she prosecuted sex crimes as an assistant district attorney in Oklahoma County.

“She is darn smart, and one of the smartest people I know,” a Washington, D.C., federal judge said about her last year.

“She is tough as nails, but fair.”

Miles-LaGrange, 57, said in a 2007 interview she “grew some very big skin” while a senator.

In the interview, for an Oklahoma State University Library project, she talked about taking the oath to honor the U.S. Constitution and follow the law.

“When I really think about it, sometimes I think, ‘Whoa, it's a lot.' It's a big load … but I honor it, I cherish it, I respect it and I revere it,” she said. “I just hope that's what I will be remembered for is being passionate about my service, my public service.”