Tom Colbert facts for kids

Tom Colbert (born December 30, 1949) is a retired judge from Oklahoma. He was an Associate Justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court. In 2004, Governor Brad Henry chose him for the court. This made him the first African-American to serve on Oklahoma's highest court.

From 2013 to 2015, Justice Colbert served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. After his term as Chief Justice, he went back to being an Associate Justice. He retired from the court in February 2021.

Early Life and Education

Tom Colbert was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He finished high school in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He earned an associate degree from Eastern Oklahoma State College. Then, he got a Bachelor of Science degree from Kentucky State University in 1973.

After serving in the U.S. Army, he continued his education. He earned a master's degree in Health Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Later, he moved to Chicago and taught in public schools there.

He returned to Oklahoma to study law. He attended the University of Oklahoma College of Law. In 1982, he earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor. After law school, he worked as an assistant dean at Marquette University Law School until 1984.

Career in Law

Before becoming a judge, Tom Colbert had a varied career. He served in the Criminal Investigation Division of the United States Army. After law school, he worked as an Assistant Dean at Marquette University Law School in Wisconsin.

In 1984, he came back to Oklahoma. He became an Assistant District Attorney in Oklahoma County. He worked there until 1986. Then, he started his own private law practice in Oklahoma City. For many years, he worked both in private practice and as an attorney for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

From 1999 to 2004, he served as a judge on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals. He was the first African-American to be a judge on that court. Briefly, he was even the Chief Judge of that court. In 2004, Governor Brad Henry appointed him to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. This made him the first African-American to serve on the state's highest court.

On January 4, 2013, Justice Colbert became the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He held this important position for two years. After his term as Chief Justice, he returned to his role as an Associate Justice. He officially retired from the Supreme Court on February 1, 2021.

Professional Groups

Justice Colbert is a member of several legal organizations. These include the Tulsa Bar Association, the Oklahoma Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Bar Association.

Awards and Recognition

Tom Colbert has received many honors for his work and service:

• In 2004, he received the Tulsa Community College Service award.
• In 2005, he was added to the Eastern Oklahoma State College Hall of Fame.
• He also received the Thurgood Marshall Award of Excellence in 2005.
• The OU Black Alumni Society gave him a Trailblazer Award.
• In 2013, he earned the Oklahoma City/County Historical Society – Pathmaker Award.
• He also received the Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Diversity Award in 2013.
• In 2016, the University of Oklahoma College of Law recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus.
• He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on November 16, 2017.

Personal Life

Tom Colbert is married to Dorthea. They have three adult children. He was raised by his single mother, Edith Colbert, in Sapulpa.

During his swearing-in ceremony as Chief Justice in 2013, Justice Colbert shared a personal story. He once thought about leaving the Supreme Court for a higher-paying job as a private lawyer. However, his wife and mother convinced him to stay. They reminded him that many people had made sacrifices for him to reach such an important position. They told him he would be letting them down if he left.

See also

• List of African American jurists