S P E C I A L F E A T U R E: M E E T T H E J U D G E S A u t h o r: L y n d s e y E. S i a r a – T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t
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an open judge seat in 1990. Her first judicial race ended with now-judge Chet Tharpe beating her for the seat. But not five days later, Judge Isom jumped into a different judicial contest and, in a close race, squeaked by with the popular vote. Twenty-seven years later, she is tied with Judge Tharpe for the title of longest sitting active circuit court judge( although he was elected before her, they were invested on the same day).“ But thanks to alphabetical order, I’ m just above him on the seating chart and running list of seniority,” she says, finding humor in her position of superiority over the person who actually beat her for his seat.
When it comes to interests outside the legal field, one name sums it up— Maria von Trapp. Like Maria in The Sound of Music, Judge Isom loves the mountains, hiking, and singing.“ Sometimes I even sing while I hike!” she joked( although she, sadly, did not declare this with a tune). Her mother majored in voice performance; it must have rubbed off. From her first solo at six years old to her current singing gig in the Tampa Oratorio Singers community choral group, Judge Isom has always been a singer. Perhaps her most memorable singing experience was her premier at Carnegie Hall. Also high on her list of memorable achievements was hiking the Grand Canyon’ s Rim-to-Rim Trail, as well as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. That takes some serious hiking skills!
In addition to hiking and singing, she is also an actress. Lesson learned from experience: if acting isn’ t your forte, take it from me— do not get yourself in a room with Judge Isom and a camera because you just might find yourself making a cameo in the next Justice Games video or ethics skit. Kidding aside, after a silver jubilee of serving as a judge, her admitted“ favorite obsession” is … drumroll … fairness and diversity. Did you guess that?!? If you know anything about Judge Isom, that likely comes as no surprise. It was this obsession that led her to become a diversity trainer, instructing many of her colleagues on the topic, as well as a slew of chair positions and speaking engagements.
But as she nears retirement and feels the urge to pass the torch to a new generation, she is always happy to hear about diversity events she did not play a role in orchestrating. And as that time draws nearer, she and Woody have begun to plan their kayaking trips to Weedon Island, followed by a cold drink at The Getaway for sunset gazing. Of course, there will be more hiking, camping, and singing, likely with her grandchildren. But it is doubtful Judge Isom will totally give up the legal profession; she is considering retraining as a facilitator or mediator.“ And I will always be available to provide unsolicited advice, especially for young lawyers,” she laughed.
Fellow members of the HCBA, who would you like to know more about? I solicit your input as to our next featured jurist so you can better get to know your judiciary. So long as I impart some new tidbit, I’ d say it’ s a job welldone. So for good measure, I’ ll just add that Judge Isom’ s favorite number is, in fact, thirteen. Until next time …
Author: Lyndsey E. Siara – Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
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