The Honorable Wilma L. Palmer Special Judge of the District Court, Tulsa County

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.

Q&A

What is the most rewarding aspect of your legal career?

The most rewarding aspect of my legal career is having the opportunity to be a part of the transformation of individuals and families. I am currently assigned to the Juvenile Division of the Tulsa County bench. I preside over juvenile delinquent cases and juvenile deprived cases. Typically, a traumatic event brings a minor child or the parents of minor children to court to appear before me. My ability to impact that family and be a part of its healing and growth is one of the most rewarding aspects of my legal career. Most minors and their families spend enough time in the presence of the court for me to build a rapport with them. I see them through their case and can witness their growth and setbacks. I serve as their judge in the context of 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 trust in me and the court system. When I am able to be a part of their successes, I find it extremely rewarding. My assignment to the juvenile division allows me to offer rehabilitative programming that is designed to improve the participants’ family life, and when the participants engage in programming and are successful in overcoming the issues that brought them into court, it is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Not all participants will accept the help we have to offer, but when you have a youth or parent that has embraced the treatment that is offered to them and fully engage, the results can be phenomenal; I find great reward in being a part of the positive change. I see the potential of each individual and family that appears before me and to be a part of their successes is most fulfilling.

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 a legal career?

The advice I would have for a young person that wants a legal career would be to first know why you want to pursue a career in the legal profession. Make sure you are passionate about your choice. Set out your vision for yourself in some form that you can refer to periodically. Keep your eyes on your goals, and pursue them with the passion that is within you. Do not be afraid to request help and guidance from those already engaged in the profession. A good mentor in the legal profession is priceless, and many of those engaged in this profession would love to mentor an up-and-coming undergraduate or law student. I would also encourage a prospective lawyer to look for opportunities to clerk or intern. Your law school education will teach you the law, but there is no better experience for learning how to practice law than hands-on experience.

Describe the impact of race upon your career?

The impact of race upon my career is probably one of the most difficult questions for me to answer. I am a native Oklahoman. I have lived in Tulsa all of my life. I attended elementary, middle and high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, yet was not aware of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre until I was a sophomore in college. I read a book about these events for a college class. I thought to myself, “how can this be?” I did not have any knowledge of the atrocities that took place in my hometown in 1921. As a young adult, I felt weirdly betrayed to some extent by those who were responsible to guide my high school education and to assure that I was a well-informed, well rounded individual before high school graduation. I thought that surely at some point in my education in Tulsa, Oklahoma from pre-K to high