---
title: "William D. Palmer | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-d-palmer-7015"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# William D. Palmer

Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal
- State: Florida
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2000-present
- Retired judge with distinguished service on two state appellate and trial courts — first in Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal (2000–2018) and later in Kern County Superior Court, California (2006–2018)
- Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Kern, 2006-2017
- Before judicial service, Palmer was a court commissioner (2005–2006), partner at Robinson, Palmer and Logan in Bakersfield, and a U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate (1969–1972)

### Education

- Boston College — J.D.

### Additional information

- held the role of a judge until retirement in 2018; was Chief Judge from 2007–2009
- Palmer’s career spans both appellate and trial court service, with a strong record in family law, civil litigation, and dispute resolution.
- Before joining the court, Palmer had 24 years in private practice
- focusing on civil litigation, family law, appellate law, adoption, arbitration, and mediation

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media and still photography

Scope: statewide

Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.

Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed

[Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7015/william-d-palmer/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7015/william-d-palmer/)
- [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7015/william-d-palmer/)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7015/william-d-palmer/)
- [Court History](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/About-the-Court/Court-History)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7015/william-d-palmer/)

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