Invested in North Texas
Serving our courts, our city, and our next generation of lawyers.
A Career-long Commitment to North Texas
For more than two decades, Nicholas Palmer has called North Texas home. From earning his criminal justice degree at the University of North Texas to serving as a career attorney for the City of Dallas, Nicholas’s life and work have been shaped by the people, values, and communities of the North Texas region.
He believes public service begins close to home. Whether representing clients in the courtroom, teaching law students, or volunteering in local civic programs, Nicholas has remained deeply invested in strengthening the institutions that make North Texas a place of fairness, opportunity, and pride.
Public Service in Action
As Chief of the Appellate Section for the 9th largest city in the country, Nicholas advocates for fair and equitable application of the law. His work has touched nearly every corner of civic life—public safety, open government, employment, and environmental standards.
Through careful, principled advocacy, he has defended the clients in cases that protect taxpayer resources, uphold transparency, and preserve the local lawmakers’ authority to make decisions that serve their residents.
But for Nicholas, those cases are not simply about law—they’re about people. Each decision carries implications for families, neighborhoods, and businesses that depend on fair governance.
Building a Stronger Legal Community
Nicholas believes that justice grows stronger when knowledge is shared. For over a decade, he has volunteered as a continuing legal education (CLE) presenter and workshop leader for attorneys throughout Texas.
He has led sessions on topics ranging from appellate advocacy to government ethics, helping other lawyers refine their skills and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
Through these seminars and mentorship programs, Nicholas has trained hundreds of practitioners who now serve across the state—in courts, firms, agencies, and nonprofits.
Mentoring Tomorrow’s Lawyers
Nicholas has always viewed teaching as an extension of service. As an Affiliate Professor at the University of North Texas College of Law, he taught Client Counseling—a hands-on course preparing students to communicate with compassion and professionalism.
At SMU Dedman School of Law, Nicholas served for six years as a moot court and mock trial coach, helping students hone their courtroom presence, ethical reasoning, and persuasive writing.
His teams have gone on to earn regional and national recognition, and many of his students now serve in government and private practice across Texas.
Engaged in the Community He Serves
Outside the courtroom and classroom, Nicholas participates in local civic and professional organizations that advance education, justice, and public service. He has volunteered at career panels, mentorship programs, and legal aid events that expand access to justice for Texans.
He continues to collaborate with local educators, bar associations, and public agencies to build bridges between the legal profession and the community it serves. His approach is consistent: listen first, act with integrity, and lead by example.
Why It Matters
Nicholas’s investment in the North Texas community is not new—it’s the story of his entire career. From city hall to the classroom, he has devoted his professional life to making sure that justice in North Texas is fair, accessible, and enduring.
For Nicholas Palmer, the Fifth Court of Appeals is more than a courtroom—it’s a responsibility to the people, principles, and progress of the region he’s proud to call home.