This is the twenty-fourth of our Court Times articles that highlight up close and personal a member of the Indiana Judiciary.
Gibson County Superior Court Judge Earl Penrod is our judge featured in this issue. He received both his undergraduate degree and his law degree from the University of Louisville. He also received a Master of Judicial Studies (MJS) degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Following law school he worked in private practice with attorney Virginia O’Leary in Gibson County. He handled a bit of everything in the general practice of law but much energy was devoted to Employment Discrimination/Title VII.
Judge Penrod went on the bench on January 1, 1983 after having been elected in November of 1982 to a four-year term as Judge of the Gibson County Court. The Gibson County Court was converted to the Gibson Superior Court effective January 1, 1985 and the legislation creating the Gibson Superior Court provided that the presiding Judge of the Gibson County Court would serve as the first judge of the Gibson Superior Court for two years and then stand for election in 1986. So the second two years of his first term he served as Judge of the Gibson Superior Court. He was re-elected in 1986 to a 6-year term and has been re-elected every 6 years thereafter, with his most recent and last election in 2010. Judge Penrod announced that he will not be running for re-election in 2016.
Judge Penrod and his wife, Brenda, have a son, Patrick. He and his wife, Kelly, and two children, Luke Justice and Megan, live in Clearwater, Florida. And their daughter, Jodi Carey, and her husband Brett Moulton and son Ethan, live in Cape Coral, Florida.
What do you like most and least about being a trial court judge?
As a trial court judge, I most enjoy the multitude of opportunities to make a difference. The most disappointing part of being a trial judge is that no matter how diligent and earnest the effort, there will be times when there is no satisfactory or productive outcome. For me, the key to continued career satisfaction is to make sure that the limitations and disappointments of my service don’t conceal or consume the plethora of opportunities.
What was your major in college and why did you decide to study law?
While growing up, I decided to claim a lofty career goal and since I knew doctor was out of the question, I said lawyer. I listed my major as political science/pre-law, even though law school didn’t seem particularly realistic since I didn’t know any lawyers or law students.
What would you do if you were not a judge?
Even after more than 30 years on the bench, I can’t claim that a judicial career was where I always intended to go, but I do believe it turned out to be the right place for me to end up.
I have served as adjunct faculty at Oakland City University and continue to regularly teach at the National Judicial College and present as ABA/NHTSA Judicial Fellow. I suspect I would be a teacher, if not a judge. I was too practical in college to follow through on my fantasy of majoring in theater (comedy NOT drama!). I enjoy humor and try to use it as a tool in my work, but I understand the wide chasm between my occasional witticisms and the talents and skills of real performers. So to engage in a “Walter Mitty-type career fantasy,” I would be performing on stage providing the audience a good time through laughter!
Who are the people you most admire?
In addition to my Mother who died more than 20 years ago, and my Father who passed away about 7 years ago, I have great admiration for those who are able to live a full and satisfying life regardless of difficult circumstances and relatively persistent misfortune and travail.
What are your hobbies or favorite leisure activities, and how did you first get involved?
My favorite leisure activities include reading and traveling with my wife, Brenda. I am a fan of college basketball (especially the University of Louisville) as well as most other sports. Also, I am an avid walker.
What are your favorite books, and have you read any recently, or are reading now, that you would recommend?
I enjoy reading all sorts of materials but mostly, non-fiction. I am presently reading The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt and I recommend it.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe your childhood?
I was born in Southern Illinois and my family moved to Louisville, Kentucky while I was in high school. I have great memories of a modest but an enjoyable childhood (middle child of 5) but I am particularly grateful that my parents taught us the importance of hard work. Further, even though neither of my parents attended high school, my mother instilled in me an unequivocal appreciation of education. She never allowed me to dismiss the possibility of college or even law school as an impossible dream.
Do you have a favorite quote(s)?
When teaching and presenting, I often utilize numerous quotes fondly referred to as “Earl’s Pearls.” Many of my judicial colleagues will know what I am referring to as I have for many years presented during New Judge’s Orientation these quotes during which I set forth admirable traits of judicial officers by using stories such as the “Starfish/Making a Difference” and quotes from various sources and people including Elwood P. Dowd, Yogi Berra, Charlie Brown, and Mark Twain. The Starfish/Making a Difference story is my favorite but it is too long for the Sidebar format and almost none of the others work very well as stand alone quotes. So, here are a couple of quotes that I like, although I’m not sure they would qualify as my favorites but here you go.
“I prefer the folly of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom.”
—Anatole France
“Well done is better than well said.”
—Ben Franklin
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is Seagrove Beach, Florida where my wife Brenda and I, along with our two children, three grandchildren, and other extended family members get together every summer for a week of fun and relaxation.
Do you have a favorite meal, recipe, and restaurant?
Because I have been successful in my efforts to lose weight during the past two and a half years through a devotion to healthy eating, I will not dwell on my favorite meal (my wife’s meatloaf), recipe or restaurant. Ahhh, the memories… As to my favorite foods, etc., I am glad that I have been able to adjust my eating habits and lifestyle so as to lose weight as I am healthier as a result. I have had success by obsessively focusing on calorie intake, eating lots of salad (fat free dressing), fresh vegetables and fruits. I avoid virtually all sweets and desserts and carefully control portions at all meals, even if it means that my wife and I share a salad and/or an entree when eating out. More restaurants are providing nutritional details/information on the menu and there are a number of smart phone apps that provide information for an amazing number of restaurants. Also, I have increased my activity level including walking a minimum of 20 miles per week.