Day In the Life: Judge Tiiara N.A. Patton

From the time she was in first grade, Judge Tiiara Patton always envisioned a career in law. A smart, talkative youngster who loved to watch Matlock with her family, Patton viewed being a lawyer as her way to escape poverty and create a better life for herself. What she did not envision was becoming a T3 paraplegic at the age of 14 from an accidental shooting. But that did not deter her from pursuing her career path.

The Cleveland native earned her law degree from Ohio State University in 2001. “As a student activist in college, I thought I would end up being in-house counsel at a university when I graduated,” she says, “but during my third year of law school, I took a course in bankruptcy law and absolutely fell in love with it.”

Bankruptcy law became the focus of her career, first as a law clerk for bankruptcy judges in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Ohio. She transitioned into private practice at firms in New York and Ohio and then served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Trustee’s Program in Delaware and Ohio.

Becoming a federal judge was not initially on her radar. “I didn’t think I had the pedigree to become a judge. I created all these barriers in my mind on why it wouldn’t be possible,” she says.

When an opportunity for a judgeship presented itself years later, she thought about it differently. “I wanted to become a judge to add value to the bench and the people I would serve,” Patton says. “I saw it as a form of public service, and that is when I decided to apply.”

She applied in 2014 but was not appointed. “That taught me a lot. I’m a firm believer that life prepares you for the next thing,” she says. Six years later, a judgeship opportunity presented itself again, and this time she was appointed. In 2020, she was sworn in as a bankruptcy judge in Youngstown, Ohio, by the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals for a term of 14 years.

“Every day I have the honor of being a U.S. bankruptcy judge, and hopefully I can be an example that your life circumstances do not have to be a barrier to your life possibilities,” Patton says. “I am so very proud that I serve in this role, and that I get to do it as a Black, disabled woman.”

Here’s what a typical day in her life on the bench looks like.

4 a.m.

My day starts early. The first thing I do is check my email to see if there is anything pressing that I need to handle before getting to the office. Next, it’s time to shower, dress and do my makeup. I have the TV on so I can listen to the news in the background while I get ready. I’m not really a breakfast person, but I don’t leave the house without my cup of coffee, especially since I have a one-hour commute to the office.

6:30 a.m.

Today I’m headed to the Youngstown courthouse. I share my time between the Youngstown courthouse and the Canton courthouse. Most of my cases in Youngstown are consumer bankruptcy, and the cases I cover in Canton are usually corporate or family farmer cases.

I belong to a virtual book club, so during my commute, I love to listen to audio books, podcasts, music, and catch up with family and friends. Right now, I’m listening to Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, a biography about an African American abolitionist, writer and orator.

7:30 a.m.

Once I park, I enter the building through a series of automatic doors that didn’t exist before my appointment. In fact, the entire courthouse had to be renovated to be more accessible. The stairs to the bench in the courtroom where I preside were removed and replaced with a ramp, and all the carpet was removed. My chambers, copy room, supply room and kitchenette were also completely renovated or modified to be more accessible. Whatever was needed, I was given. The renovations not only make my life easier but also make it more accessible for others in the building and those in the community who are aging or have a disability.

I like getting to the office before others arrive. It gives me a chance to answer emails, review our hearing docket, draft opinions and sign orders.

9 a.m.

My courtroom deputy and my two law clerks start to arrive, along with others in the building. On days we have docket hearings, my staff and I will meet to finalize any details or review documents before we go into the courtroom and hear those matters.

I fell in love with bankruptcy law because it’s an area of law where you are a specialist but a generalist, too. You must understand bankruptcy law and so many other areas of law, too, so there is a lot of reading, writing and research involved in my job. I’m grateful I have two law clerks who assist me with those tasks.

1 p.m.

Today I have an afternoon docket. Whenever I enter the courtroom, I’m reminded how grateful I am to be in this position. I’ll never forget the day I got the call that I was selected for judgeship — I just broke down in tears. The news just felt like every realization, every prayer of my family and ancestors who grew up in the segregated South had come true.

In most cases, bankruptcy court is the first time someone interacts with the court system, and I get to be the person in front of them. I take great pride and humility in that. I always want people to feel heard. Even if they don’t win, I want them to know I heard them. One of the most difficult aspects of my job is when the law does not support what someone is requesting, and I can’t rule in their favor. When someone is already experiencing financial hardship, no one wants to be the person who has to tell them more bad news. However, I am bound by the law and have to apply it to the facts.

4 p.m.

My job allows me to set my own schedule. Most days I try to leave the office around 6 p.m., but on days I leave early, I love going to my CrossFit class. My favorite part of CrossFit is weightlifting. It makes me feel so strong — when you get that bar over your head, it’s exhilarating. It makes me feel like I can do anything.

7 p.m.

Upon arriving home, I start thinking about what to make for dinner. I try and cook things that will last me a few days, because nobody wants to cook every night, even though I do enjoy cooking. Lately, I’ve been really into making different kinds of soup.

9 p.m.

It’s been a long day and household chores will have to wait until the weekend or days when I work from home and can multitask. After dinner I like to unwind by reading or catching up on some of my television shows. One of my favorite shows is Will Trent. The writing is just so good and it’s really funny.

11 p.m.

Time to crawl into bed, but not before checking my emails one more time. I have this thing that I can’t leave more than 75 emails in my inbox, otherwise it stresses me out. I also like to read a bit before turning off the lights.

Fun Facts:

Favorite place to travel: Anywhere I’m among family and friends.

If I weren’t a lawyer, I would be: A teacher. I have an education degree from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, a historically Black college and university.

Favorite way to spend the weekend: Sharing a good meal with good people.

Best advice you ever received: During my first assignment clerking for a judge, I was so nervous and scared to make a mistake, and the judge turned to me and said, “Did you do the work and are you comfortable you did your best? Then there is no reason to be nervous.” Those words still stick with me.