October 18, 2023 • 8 mins
Laura Russell talks her efforts to be re-elected as Family Court Judge...
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Episode Transcript
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(00:01):
You're on news radio eight forty wahhas Terry miners here. Always likely when
you get a chance to meet someof the candidates for office, this one
is already in the office. Hername is Judge Laura Russell from Jefferson Family
Court. Hy Laura, nice tosee you, Hi, Terry, so
good to be here today. Well, there's people behind you there that we
have to wave the people now againdistract you. I I didn't want you
(00:23):
to think I was nuts waving overyour shoulder. People walk by and I
just waved it them. Yeah,that's all. It's always the best way
to be all right. You areon the bench in Family Court, now,
that's correct. And I think therewas a vacancy Tara Haggerty maybe left,
and so Governor Bashar said, hmmm, who am I going to pay
from foolage? And he picked you, Laura White. He picked you.
(00:44):
That's right, Terry. I'm sohonored and humbled that Governor Vasheer chose me
and he put his trust in confidence. I think it is because I am
a qualified candidate. I've been practicinglaw for over two decades, fifteen plus
years in family law, and youknow I'm a other too. And so
I understand the issues that our familiesare facing, and I mean I face
(01:04):
them at home, and I takemy experience as a practitioner and as a
mother and I bring it to familyCourt and I want to create fair courts
and stronger families that make Jefferson Countyeven better than it is now, because
family court clearly deals with some toughissues. I mean there's divorce, and
I guess people that come back infor other issues beyond that, But it
(01:26):
also has to do with children,right, That's right, Terry. Every
single day, the standard in Kentuckyis really the best interest of the child.
And so no matter what, I'malways looking to see the decisions that
I make, how they affect children, and how we can do the best
we can in Kentucky for children,especially here in Jefferson County. Domestic violence
another issue that family court judges haveto face. Domestic violence is another issue
(01:51):
that we face every day. It'sit is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and
it really has become my favorite dockat, my favorite issue to hear,
because when when I hear what familieshave to say, what I hear the
victims have to say, and Iget to make the decision and give them
protection. I can't tell you howmuch relief comes across their face and how
(02:14):
rewarding and impactful that is for me. And just to serve the families of
Jefferson County is really a privilege everyday, and I don't take it for
granted, right, And in manycases that come into courtrooms, obviously judges
have time to work out these longresponses, but in cases of domestic violence
and children who need to be removedfrom homes, you don't have any time.
(02:35):
So that's an instantaneous result, correct, that's right. In the dependency,
neglect and abuse cases, I alwaysmake the decision that day. It's
not something that we can put off. These are children being removed from their
homes. These are children who youknow, the goal is to be reunified
with their families, but not untilservice a bit have been put in place.
And so it is. It's atremendous responsibility. But we're speaking of
(02:59):
Judge Laura Russell. She's in familycourt here in Jefferson County and up for
election. I guess it's a specialelection, right it is, Terry.
It's a special election on November seventh, so you can vote early voting is
getting ready to start here at theend of the month absentee ballots, and
of course you can always vote inperson. Indeed, all right, so
the dockets. Have you've been onthe bench for six months or so,
(03:21):
what have you learned because you've beenpracticing in front of judges for decades.
What's the difference when you are behindthe bench as opposed to the mentality you
had prior to being a judge.So, being a litigator representing families,
it really was focused on what's thebest thing I can do for my client,
what I'm advocating for my client,And as a judge, I'm really
(03:42):
looking at both sides of the issue, and I want to be fair,
and so that's a huge difference.I'm not negotiating anymore. I listen to
the testimony from the parties and witnessesand I look at the evidence and then
I make a decision. And sothat's probably the biggest thing. That's the
biggest difference is that I get tomake the decision. Now. Yeah,
you go in singularly focused when youare some defending a client or advocating for
(04:06):
a client. But as a judge, I guess you're more like a drone
flying over and seeing everything, tryingto balance it all out right. I
want to make the best decisions.I want to serve the all families in
Jefferson County, no matter what yourwalk of life is, I want it
to be fair. I want everyoneto have stronger families as a result,
I want people to come in andfeel that they you know, I'm I'm
(04:29):
respectful to families. I give peoplean opportunity to be heard, and I
listen to what they have to say, and I think all those things make
a fair court and stronger families,and that's what our goal is. Yeah,
and in a family court, Iguess the doc's probably pretty heavy too.
I've been invited to come over andsee some other some judges have invited
me over to see the courtroom process, and it's gut ranching sometimes some of
(04:53):
the things I see, And it'sjust I can't believe the workload. How
is it in family court? Orare we able to move cases long?
Or is it along road of hope? Well, I'm glad you asked that
question, because I just looked atthe statistics for twenty twenty two and then
through the end of September of twentytwenty three, and every Jefferson County judge
gets about twenty five hundred new cases, new filings of divorces, custody actions,
(05:15):
dependency collection, abuse cases, anddomestic violence cases. And that doesn't
count the repeat families that come inin addition to the new filings. So
the caseload is tremendous. It takesall you know, it takes your staff,
and I have wonderful staff. Ithelped me every single day, and
it takes all of us to workthrough the caseload that is before us and
focusing really on the children and servingfamilies because that's what I'm there for every
(05:40):
single day. That's right. Whenyou were named a judge from the governor,
then I guess you take on awhole new staff and meet people and
figure out how you're going to worktogether in unison. That's a job in
and of itself, that's right.And I was so fortunate to inherit a
wonderful staff from Judge Haggerty, andit takes every single one of them to
just be able to process and beable to work through the case load.
(06:02):
Every single day, I have,you know, three or four hearings or
I'll have forty domestic violence cases ona day, and it's a tremendous amount
of work, but it's so rewardingand so impactful. And my staff is
just wonderful. I can't say enoughgood things about them, as well as
the Jefferson County Clerk's office. Youknow, they are also part of my
staff, and it's just been sogreat to Inherit such a wonderful group of
(06:26):
people. Is that David Nicholson's office. It is. Yes, He's a
heck of a guy. He's beenreally great and making sure, you know,
I had great clerks and help,and everybody over there has just been
so warm and friendly and kind tome. He's my neighbor. Okay,
I actually have the code. I'mallowed to walk down to his house and
get a beer out of the refrigeratorsI need. He's the best neighbor ever.
(06:47):
Right, all right, last thingfor you. You have a daughter,
you said, I do. Ihave a teenage daughter. Teenage daughter?
And where is she in school?She goes to Assumption Assumption, All
my goodness, I have four sisterswho are graduates of there. Oh wow,
they're the rockets. That's only exactlythere was something in the jags or
no, that's mercy. I gottaget all those things tied. So that's
(07:08):
good. And are you able tolook at your fourteen year old's homework and
figure out what the hecks they're talkingabout? You know, I feel like
she's a teenager. Now she's gonnahave to work that up. I've got
a lot going on. That's thesame response I give. But people ask
you about my eighteen year old.I mean when she was fourteen fifteen,
I was looking at they go,I don't have any recollection of this whatsoever.
(07:28):
They're a lot smarter than we were. That's right, there's on top
of it. You Yeah, they'refeeding them stuff. I'm like, wow,
it's rocket science. Judge Laura Russell, it's good having you in the
studio, and best of luck inthe election coming up soon. Well,
if you want to check me,if you want to know more about me,
go to keep Judge Laura Russell dotcom. And I'd love to have
(07:48):
all of your votes. And thankyou Terry so much for having me on
your show. To You're very welcome. I'm glad that website was available.
Keep Judge Laura Russell dot com.That's right, luckily it's available. Great
talking to you, Judge, thanksso much. Back in a minute on
NewsRadio weight forty whas
You're on news radio eight forty wahhas Terry miners here. Always likely when
you get a chance to meet someof the candidates for office, this one
is already in the office. Hername is Judge Laura Russell from Jefferson Family
Court. Hy Laura, nice tosee you, Hi, Terry, so
good to be here today. Well, there's people behind you there that we
have to wave the people now againdistract you. I I didn't want you
(00:23):
to think I was nuts waving overyour shoulder. People walk by and I
just waved it them. Yeah,that's all. It's always the best way
to be all right. You areon the bench in Family Court, now,
that's correct. And I think therewas a vacancy Tara Haggerty maybe left,
and so Governor Bashar said, hmmm, who am I going to pay
from foolage? And he picked you, Laura White. He picked you.
(00:44):
That's right, Terry. I'm sohonored and humbled that Governor Vasheer chose me
and he put his trust in confidence. I think it is because I am
a qualified candidate. I've been practicinglaw for over two decades, fifteen plus
years in family law, and youknow I'm a other too. And so
I understand the issues that our familiesare facing, and I mean I face
(01:04):
them at home, and I takemy experience as a practitioner and as a
mother and I bring it to familyCourt and I want to create fair courts
and stronger families that make Jefferson Countyeven better than it is now, because
family court clearly deals with some toughissues. I mean there's divorce, and
I guess people that come back infor other issues beyond that, But it
(01:26):
also has to do with children,right, That's right, Terry. Every
single day, the standard in Kentuckyis really the best interest of the child.
And so no matter what, I'malways looking to see the decisions that
I make, how they affect children, and how we can do the best
we can in Kentucky for children,especially here in Jefferson County. Domestic violence
another issue that family court judges haveto face. Domestic violence is another issue
(01:51):
that we face every day. It'sit is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and
it really has become my favorite dockat, my favorite issue to hear,
because when when I hear what familieshave to say, what I hear the
victims have to say, and Iget to make the decision and give them
protection. I can't tell you howmuch relief comes across their face and how
(02:14):
rewarding and impactful that is for me. And just to serve the families of
Jefferson County is really a privilege everyday, and I don't take it for
granted, right, And in manycases that come into courtrooms, obviously judges
have time to work out these longresponses, but in cases of domestic violence
and children who need to be removedfrom homes, you don't have any time.
(02:35):
So that's an instantaneous result, correct, that's right. In the dependency,
neglect and abuse cases, I alwaysmake the decision that day. It's
not something that we can put off. These are children being removed from their
homes. These are children who youknow, the goal is to be reunified
with their families, but not untilservice a bit have been put in place.
And so it is. It's atremendous responsibility. But we're speaking of
(02:59):
Judge Laura Russell. She's in familycourt here in Jefferson County and up for
election. I guess it's a specialelection, right it is, Terry.
It's a special election on November seventh, so you can vote early voting is
getting ready to start here at theend of the month absentee ballots, and
of course you can always vote inperson. Indeed, all right, so
the dockets. Have you've been onthe bench for six months or so,
(03:21):
what have you learned because you've beenpracticing in front of judges for decades.
What's the difference when you are behindthe bench as opposed to the mentality you
had prior to being a judge.So, being a litigator representing families,
it really was focused on what's thebest thing I can do for my client,
what I'm advocating for my client,And as a judge, I'm really
(03:42):
looking at both sides of the issue, and I want to be fair,
and so that's a huge difference.I'm not negotiating anymore. I listen to
the testimony from the parties and witnessesand I look at the evidence and then
I make a decision. And sothat's probably the biggest thing. That's the
biggest difference is that I get tomake the decision. Now. Yeah,
you go in singularly focused when youare some defending a client or advocating for
(04:06):
a client. But as a judge, I guess you're more like a drone
flying over and seeing everything, tryingto balance it all out right. I
want to make the best decisions.I want to serve the all families in
Jefferson County, no matter what yourwalk of life is, I want it
to be fair. I want everyoneto have stronger families as a result,
I want people to come in andfeel that they you know, I'm I'm
(04:29):
respectful to families. I give peoplean opportunity to be heard, and I
listen to what they have to say, and I think all those things make
a fair court and stronger families,and that's what our goal is. Yeah,
and in a family court, Iguess the doc's probably pretty heavy too.
I've been invited to come over andsee some other some judges have invited
me over to see the courtroom process, and it's gut ranching sometimes some of
(04:53):
the things I see, And it'sjust I can't believe the workload. How
is it in family court? Orare we able to move cases long?
Or is it along road of hope? Well, I'm glad you asked that
question, because I just looked atthe statistics for twenty twenty two and then
through the end of September of twentytwenty three, and every Jefferson County judge
gets about twenty five hundred new cases, new filings of divorces, custody actions,
(05:15):
dependency collection, abuse cases, anddomestic violence cases. And that doesn't
count the repeat families that come inin addition to the new filings. So
the caseload is tremendous. It takesall you know, it takes your staff,
and I have wonderful staff. Ithelped me every single day, and
it takes all of us to workthrough the caseload that is before us and
focusing really on the children and servingfamilies because that's what I'm there for every
(05:40):
single day. That's right. Whenyou were named a judge from the governor,
then I guess you take on awhole new staff and meet people and
figure out how you're going to worktogether in unison. That's a job in
and of itself, that's right.And I was so fortunate to inherit a
wonderful staff from Judge Haggerty, andit takes every single one of them to
just be able to process and beable to work through the case load.
(06:02):
Every single day, I have,you know, three or four hearings or
I'll have forty domestic violence cases ona day, and it's a tremendous amount
of work, but it's so rewardingand so impactful. And my staff is
just wonderful. I can't say enoughgood things about them, as well as
the Jefferson County Clerk's office. Youknow, they are also part of my
staff, and it's just been sogreat to Inherit such a wonderful group of
(06:26):
people. Is that David Nicholson's office. It is. Yes, He's a
heck of a guy. He's beenreally great and making sure, you know,
I had great clerks and help,and everybody over there has just been
so warm and friendly and kind tome. He's my neighbor. Okay,
I actually have the code. I'mallowed to walk down to his house and
get a beer out of the refrigeratorsI need. He's the best neighbor ever.
(06:47):
Right, all right, last thingfor you. You have a daughter,
you said, I do. Ihave a teenage daughter. Teenage daughter?
And where is she in school?She goes to Assumption Assumption, All
my goodness, I have four sisterswho are graduates of there. Oh wow,
they're the rockets. That's only exactlythere was something in the jags or
no, that's mercy. I gottaget all those things tied. So that's
(07:08):
good. And are you able tolook at your fourteen year old's homework and
figure out what the hecks they're talkingabout? You know, I feel like
she's a teenager. Now she's gonnahave to work that up. I've got
a lot going on. That's thesame response I give. But people ask
you about my eighteen year old.I mean when she was fourteen fifteen,
I was looking at they go,I don't have any recollection of this whatsoever.
(07:28):
They're a lot smarter than we were. That's right, there's on top
of it. You Yeah, they'refeeding them stuff. I'm like, wow,
it's rocket science. Judge Laura Russell, it's good having you in the
studio, and best of luck inthe election coming up soon. Well,
if you want to check me,if you want to know more about me,
go to keep Judge Laura Russell dotcom. And I'd love to have
(07:48):
all of your votes. And thankyou Terry so much for having me on
your show. To You're very welcome. I'm glad that website was available.
Keep Judge Laura Russell dot com.That's right, luckily it's available. Great
talking to you, Judge, thanksso much. Back in a minute on
NewsRadio weight forty whas
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