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Personal Peek
Angela Bisig is a Decisive Woman
By Lucy M. Pritchett • Photos by James Moses
Angela McCormick Bisig, 41,
Jefferson County District Court Judge since 2002; reelected in November 2006 for
her second four-year term. Married to Larry Bisig. Three children: John-Logan, 8;
Lincoln, 10; and Lawrence, 12. Lives in the Highlands.
Who are you?
I am a woman who can’t stand things that aren’t fair, a mother who is trying very
hard to raise children to be good, and a friend who supports women professionally
and personally.
What is your day in court like?
The normal docket averages 75 – 145 cases a day. Those are not all jury trials of
course, but pre-trial cases, hearings for motions, that sort of thing. The judges
rotate courts – juvenile, traffic, felony misdemeanors. Starting this month, I will be
seeing felony misdemeanor cases – burglary, assault, prostitution, shoplifting and
drug cases.
I am also on call one night every two weeks. I get calls to set bonds, or issue
emergency protective orders or search warrants.
I am permanently assigned to Enhanced Family Supervision where victims of
domestic violence and their abusers check in regularly.
What is Enhanced Family Supervision?
A brand new court initiative that I started in late May, early June of 2006.
The idea behind the project was to take domestic violence offenders and hold them
accountable to the court system for a much longer period
of time. The individuals on this docket must report back to court at regular intervals
(30, 60 or 90 days) with their family members so that there can be a one-on-one
case conference with me to review how their counseling is progressing and how
they are doing with other court orders and their relationships in their family.
Who are some of the people who influenced you?
My mentor was Judge Bill McAnulty. He is very even-tempered. Janet Jacubowicz
showed me that I could be a mom and a hard-working lawyer. And Paul Weber, a
political science professor. I took his class on the judicial process and it let me see
how judges are where the rubber hits the road. It is the judicial branch that rules on
issues such as gay marriage and abortion.
What surprised you about becoming a judge?
When I was a lawyer, I wanted to be the one making the decision in a case. I am
good at making decisions. But making decisions is not as fulfilling as I thought it
would be.
Do you have a special gavel?
Yes. A couple of years ago, I decided to learn Spanish because I was seeing more
and more Spanish-speaking people in the courtroom. My Spanish teacher, Amparo
Rolefsen, gave me a gavel that she bought in South America. She was wonderful.
What were you doing when TW began in 1991?
I had just graduated from (U of L) law school and was working with Brown, Todd &
Heyburn (now Frost Brown Todd). I was single, living in a duplex on Tyler Lane, and
on the weekends I delivered food for Dare to Care.
What fascinates you about the world?
I am very interested in languages and cultures and people from different cultures
and the paths people take. I see how much our core is the same even though we
may eat different foods, practice different religions, and live in different climates.
What is your least favorite chore?
Having to stop and put gas in my car (Volvo sedan) and ironing.
In an alternate Universe, what would you be doing?
I would be a teacher of language or philosophy or I would be on Broadway
performing in live theatre, or I would be in government – senate, congress or
governor.
What organizational tool do you find indispensable?
My To Do list. I keep a running list on a yellow legal pad.
Where do you buy your clothes?
I like clothes. I shop at Clodhoppers and Banana Republic for casual clothes. I also
shop online at J Crew and Bluefly.com
What do you wear around the house?
Comfy clothes – jeans and a long-sleeved tee shirt.
Do you have personalized stationery?
Yes, cards and letterhead.
What is your prized possession?
I just got a baby grand piano last Christmas. It is something that will outlast me. Also,
a wedding picture of my great-grandmother. She lived to be 105.
What is your favorite time of day?
I am a night owl. I love it late at night, but I also love mornings. My least favorite time
– my lowest energy level – is between three and five in the afternoon.
What restaurants do you like?
Lilly’s and the Uptown Café.
What is your favorite treat?
A bowl of Häagen-Daz strawberry ice cream with cut up mango, papaya, banana,
and oranges. Topped with marshmallow crème.
What would you say is your decorating style?
Big and dramatic. Bold yet simple.
If I caught you relaxing, what would you be doing?
Yoga.
What about exercise?
I run three-and-a-half miles every day.
What is your favorite movie?
Sound of Music.
What was the last movie that made you cry?
Crash. It is very powerful.
What is the best party you have attended?
The Kentucky Derby.
What motto do you live by?
Words from my father: “Anything worth doing is worth doing half-assed.” I take this
to mean that just because I might not paint well or win an election, I just need to get
out there and do it anyway. It gives me the freedom to try something and not have
to be perfect at it.
What are your favorite creative outlets?
Languages [speaks French and Spanish], acrylic painting, and piano.
What was your first job?
Delivering newspapers.
What is your favorite thing in your home?
A mural on my bedroom wall that Julie Travathen, a girlfriend from high school
(Seneca), painted for me. It has street scenes from two of my favorite cities – Paris
and London – and the Los Angeles and Las Vegas skylines – Larry’s favorite cities.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The ability to do some things, to make a difference, to start new things and see if
they work.
What gets you on your soap box?
An “I don’t care” attitude. It doesn’t matter to me if you are Democrat or Republican,
conservative or liberal. Pick something and get involved.
What is the one thing you must have every day?
Hugs from my boys. And I drink a cup of green tea before I go on the bench. It
centers me. The world would be a better place if…..….people took the time to walk
in another’s shoes …got to know other people better.
Angela Bisig is a Decisive Woman
By Lucy M. Pritchett • Photos by James Moses
Angela McCormick Bisig, 41,
Jefferson County District Court Judge since 2002; reelected in November 2006 for
her second four-year term. Married to Larry Bisig. Three children: John-Logan, 8;
Lincoln, 10; and Lawrence, 12. Lives in the Highlands.
Who are you?
I am a woman who can’t stand things that aren’t fair, a mother who is trying very
hard to raise children to be good, and a friend who supports women professionally
and personally.
What is your day in court like?
The normal docket averages 75 – 145 cases a day. Those are not all jury trials of
course, but pre-trial cases, hearings for motions, that sort of thing. The judges
rotate courts – juvenile, traffic, felony misdemeanors. Starting this month, I will be
seeing felony misdemeanor cases – burglary, assault, prostitution, shoplifting and
drug cases.
I am also on call one night every two weeks. I get calls to set bonds, or issue
emergency protective orders or search warrants.
I am permanently assigned to Enhanced Family Supervision where victims of
domestic violence and their abusers check in regularly.
What is Enhanced Family Supervision?
A brand new court initiative that I started in late May, early June of 2006.
The idea behind the project was to take domestic violence offenders and hold them
accountable to the court system for a much longer period
of time. The individuals on this docket must report back to court at regular intervals
(30, 60 or 90 days) with their family members so that there can be a one-on-one
case conference with me to review how their counseling is progressing and how
they are doing with other court orders and their relationships in their family.
Who are some of the people who influenced you?
My mentor was Judge Bill McAnulty. He is very even-tempered. Janet Jacubowicz
showed me that I could be a mom and a hard-working lawyer. And Paul Weber, a
political science professor. I took his class on the judicial process and it let me see
how judges are where the rubber hits the road. It is the judicial branch that rules on
issues such as gay marriage and abortion.
What surprised you about becoming a judge?
When I was a lawyer, I wanted to be the one making the decision in a case. I am
good at making decisions. But making decisions is not as fulfilling as I thought it
would be.
Do you have a special gavel?
Yes. A couple of years ago, I decided to learn Spanish because I was seeing more
and more Spanish-speaking people in the courtroom. My Spanish teacher, Amparo
Rolefsen, gave me a gavel that she bought in South America. She was wonderful.
What were you doing when TW began in 1991?
I had just graduated from (U of L) law school and was working with Brown, Todd &
Heyburn (now Frost Brown Todd). I was single, living in a duplex on Tyler Lane, and
on the weekends I delivered food for Dare to Care.
What fascinates you about the world?
I am very interested in languages and cultures and people from different cultures
and the paths people take. I see how much our core is the same even though we
may eat different foods, practice different religions, and live in different climates.
What is your least favorite chore?
Having to stop and put gas in my car (Volvo sedan) and ironing.
In an alternate Universe, what would you be doing?
I would be a teacher of language or philosophy or I would be on Broadway
performing in live theatre, or I would be in government – senate, congress or
governor.
What organizational tool do you find indispensable?
My To Do list. I keep a running list on a yellow legal pad.
Where do you buy your clothes?
I like clothes. I shop at Clodhoppers and Banana Republic for casual clothes. I also
shop online at J Crew and Bluefly.com
What do you wear around the house?
Comfy clothes – jeans and a long-sleeved tee shirt.
Do you have personalized stationery?
Yes, cards and letterhead.
What is your prized possession?
I just got a baby grand piano last Christmas. It is something that will outlast me. Also,
a wedding picture of my great-grandmother. She lived to be 105.
What is your favorite time of day?
I am a night owl. I love it late at night, but I also love mornings. My least favorite time
– my lowest energy level – is between three and five in the afternoon.
What restaurants do you like?
Lilly’s and the Uptown Café.
What is your favorite treat?
A bowl of Häagen-Daz strawberry ice cream with cut up mango, papaya, banana,
and oranges. Topped with marshmallow crème.
What would you say is your decorating style?
Big and dramatic. Bold yet simple.
If I caught you relaxing, what would you be doing?
Yoga.
What about exercise?
I run three-and-a-half miles every day.
What is your favorite movie?
Sound of Music.
What was the last movie that made you cry?
Crash. It is very powerful.
What is the best party you have attended?
The Kentucky Derby.
What motto do you live by?
Words from my father: “Anything worth doing is worth doing half-assed.” I take this
to mean that just because I might not paint well or win an election, I just need to get
out there and do it anyway. It gives me the freedom to try something and not have
to be perfect at it.
What are your favorite creative outlets?
Languages [speaks French and Spanish], acrylic painting, and piano.
What was your first job?
Delivering newspapers.
What is your favorite thing in your home?
A mural on my bedroom wall that Julie Travathen, a girlfriend from high school
(Seneca), painted for me. It has street scenes from two of my favorite cities – Paris
and London – and the Los Angeles and Las Vegas skylines – Larry’s favorite cities.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The ability to do some things, to make a difference, to start new things and see if
they work.
What gets you on your soap box?
An “I don’t care” attitude. It doesn’t matter to me if you are Democrat or Republican,
conservative or liberal. Pick something and get involved.
What is the one thing you must have every day?
Hugs from my boys. And I drink a cup of green tea before I go on the bench. It
centers me. The world would be a better place if…..….people took the time to walk
in another’s shoes …got to know other people better.