The Honorable Tonya N. Wilson Special Judge, 14th Judicial District of Oklahoma

Special Judge, 14th Judicial District of Oklahoma

Tanya N. Wilson is currently a Special District Judge in Tulsa County. Judge Wilson is a 2002 graduate of the University of Tulsa College of Law. Judge Wilson worked at the Tulsa County District Attorneys Office for over 11 years. Judge Wilson also was one of the first Case Managers in Juvenile Court for Tulsa County. Judge Wilson worked as a private attorney specializing in criminal and family law prior to taking the bench. Judge Wilson was appointed as a Special Judge in July 2020.

Q&A

What is the most rewarding aspect of your legal career?

Most of my legal career was working in the juvenile system or Crimes against Children division in the District Attorneys Office. The most rewarding aspect of my career was to help a child who is deprived or neglected find a loving home. I have had children thank me for believing them when no one else would. I have had family members thank me for getting justice for their loved one.

Who or what inspired your choice to work in the legal

profession? I have always had an interest in the legal profession. Growing up, I admired Thurgood Marshall, Ada Lois Sipuel and all the attorneys who were instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement. I believed by becoming a lawyer, I could make a difference in my community as well.

What advice do you share for young persons who want a legal career? My advice to a person beginning a legal career is to always protect your reputation. Your reputation is more important than any one case or client.

Describe the impact of race upon your career? I cannot say race has personally had an impact upon my career. However, there were many times when I was the only person of color in the DA’s office or in a courtroom. In those times when a majority of the defendants were African American, I was disappointed at the lack of diversity in the legal representation in the courtroom.

Throughout your work in the law, describe any changes in

racism you have noted. For more than 10 years or even more, we have seen how racial issues have effected our communities and the legal profession. People of color have become more discouraged in the legal system. People of color no longer believe justice is blind or equally applied when countless examples have shown otherwise. Disparity in sentencing, the war on drugs, failure to prosecute in some unjustified shootings, lack of diversity in the judicial branch have all lead to the lack of confidence in the legal profession.

What would you recommend for firms or schools to do

in order to promote diversity inclusion in the future? I would recommend firms to recruit more from historically black colleges and universities. More importantly, law schools and firms should devote resources within their organizations actually devoted to promoting diversity. This should include recruitment of attorneys and students from all racial backgrounds. There should also include an effort to work within communities. Many people do not join the legal profession, especially in the area of criminal law, because they do not see lawyers or judges in working in their communities.

What can a lawyer, law student, or law school Bar Associations do today to help encourage young persons to be aware and involved in a positive way in diversity

issues? (I would say this is an extension of my answer to number 6).