The Honorable Wilma L. Palmer Special Judge of the District Court, Tulsa County Judge Wilma L. Palmer is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Class of ’82 and holds Bachelor’s (1986) and Law (1989) degrees from the University of Tulsa. She was the first African American woman to be appointed to the Tulsa County District Court bench in February, 2007. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Palmer was a solo practitioner in Tulsa for 17 years. Her general law practice included experience in domestic, probate, civil and criminal matters. She also served as general counsel for the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa for 8 years. Currently, Judge Palmer is assigned to the Juvenile Division of the Tulsa County District Court bench.
Who or what inspired your choice to work in the legal profession? I first knew that I wanted a profession in the legal field when I took a business law course my junior year of high school. The course was taught by an enthusiastic teacher. I knew I wanted to help people and make a difference in the lives of others. I attended college with the goal of attending law school post-undergraduate. I never vacillated on my career choice, and I never felt a need to take a ‘gap year.’ Since taking the course in high school, I always knew what direction I wanted my career to take. My parents were always supportive of my career goal. I set my goal and worked diligently to see it come to fruition, and my family supported me throughout. I was born on Law Day, and I always joke that my destiny was set at birth. What advice do you share for young persons who want Q&A a legal career? The advice I would have for a young person that What is the most rewarding aspect of your legal career? wants a legal career would be to first know why you want The most rewarding aspect of my legal career is to pursue a career in the legal profession. Make sure you having the opportunity to be a part of the transformation are passionate about your choice. Set out your vision for of individuals and families. I am currently assigned to the yourself in some form that you can refer to periodically. Juvenile Division of the Tulsa County bench. I preside Keep your eyes on your goals, and pursue them with the over juvenile delinquent cases and juvenile deprived cases. passion that is within you. Do not be afraid to request help Typically, a traumatic event brings a minor child or the and guidance from those already engaged in the profession. parents of minor children to court to appear before me. My A good mentor in the legal profession is priceless, and many ability to impact that family and be a part of its healing and of those engaged in this profession would love to mentor an growth is one of the most rewarding aspects of my legal up-and-coming undergraduate or law student. I would also career. Most minors and their families spend enough time encourage a prospective lawyer to look for opportunities to in the presence of the court for me to build a rapport with clerk or intern. Your law school education will teach you them. I see them through their case and can witness their the law, but there is no better experience for learning how to growth and setbacks. I serve as their judge in the context of practice law than hands-on experience. their case, but I do not believe I can make a positive impact on their lives unless I really get to know them and they have Describe the impact of race upon your career? trust in me and the court system. When I am able to be a part The impact of race upon my career is probably one of their successes, I find it extremely rewarding. of the most difficult questions for me to answer. I am a native My assignment to the juvenile division allows me to Oklahoman. I have lived in Tulsa all of my life. I attended offer rehabilitative programming that is designed to improve elementary, middle and high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the participants’ family life, and when the participants engage yet was not aware of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre until in programming and are successful in overcoming the issues I was a sophomore in college. I read a book about these that brought them into court, it is one of the most rewarding events for a college class. I thought to myself, “how can aspects of my work. Not all participants will accept the help this be?” I did not have any knowledge of the atrocities we have to offer, but when you have a youth or parent that that took place in my hometown in 1921. As a young adult, has embraced the treatment that is offered to them and fully I felt weirdly betrayed to some extent by those who were engage, the results can be phenomenal; I find great reward responsible to guide my high school education and to assure in being a part of the positive change. I see the potential of that I was a well-informed, well rounded individual before each individual and family that appears before me and to be high school graduation. I thought that surely at some point a part of their successes is most fulfilling. in my education in Tulsa, Oklahoma from pre-K to high
