This is the thirty-eighth of our Court Times articles that highlight up-close-and-personal a member of the Indiana Judiciary
Fountain Circuit Court Judge Susan Orr Henderson is our judge featured in this issue. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Indiana University in 1980, and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1984.
She is also a graduate of the Indiana Judicial College (2006) and the Indiana Graduate Program for Judges (2007).
Following graduation from law school, she served as a Deputy Prosecutor in Fountain County from 1984-1990, and was in private practice and partner in the law firm of Wallace, Campbell, Bunch, Shambach, Rennick and Orr in Covington, Indiana from 1984-1998.
Judge Henderson was elected in 1998 to the Fountain Circuit Court, earning the distinction of being the first female judge in Fountain County—after having previously been the first female attorney to practice law in the county. Re-elected in 2004 and 2010, she has general jurisdiction and, with the exception of the Attica City Court, is the only court in the county.
Judge Henderson hears it all: from criminal felonies and misdemeanors to probate, family law, CHIN’s cases, and all other civil matters. She has a Commissioner/Referee who hears small claims, traffic and IV-D child support matters.
Judge Henderson is very active in the local and state bar associations and has served as the Treasurer of the Indiana State Bar Association. She served as a District Representative on the Board of the Indiana Judge’s Association. Judge Henderson is a former Chair of the Probate Committee of the Indiana Judicial Conference and served as the Chair of the Guardianship Registry Project.
She is also a member of the Indiana Adult Guardianship State Task Force and National Association of Family Law and Juvenile Court Judges. Judge Henderson was honored in 2012 by the Lafayette YWCA’s Salute to Women as a “Woman of Distinction” in West-Central Indiana.
She has been married to Joe Henderson for twenty-one years. She has had the pleasure of helping her husband raise his three children from a previous marriage: Tamara (Henderson) Cox, Todd Henderson, and Tim Henderson.
They have three grandsons: Mitchell Cox, A.J. Cox and Dylan Henderson. Their grandsons keep them busy with their sporting and 4-H events.
What do you like most and least about being a trial court judge?
What I like most and what I like least is sometimes the same thing – the challenges we face in staying on top of the ever changing areas of law.
Adoption day is one of the most joyous days I have. We have a special ceremony that involves the adoptees helping me file stamp their Orders and getting to use the gavel to adjourn the hearing. It is always a great way to start the day.
Like all trial court judges who handle abuse and neglect cases… what we see happening in homes across our State can be devastating. No matter what services might be in place, no matter how much involvement with law enforcement or the court system- those kids that somehow fall thru the cracks break my heart.
What was your major in college and why did you decide to study law?
When I enrolled in college it was my intent to be a High School History and Government teacher. I got my B.S. degree from Indiana University in Education. Along the way I took both a Constitutional Law and a Constitutional History class and my career path deviated! I loved the study of the law and how we became a country founded on the Rule of Law.
What would you do if you were not a judge?
Well, to quote my Dad… “I better go ahead and get that teaching degree, just in case this whole law thing doesn’t work out”… So I could see myself teaching in some capacity.
Those that know me best know I’m a bit of a control freak. When we have new technology installed in our court I want to know how it operates and have the skills to use that technology, not just to expect Staff to be trained.
In the spirit of wanting to learn new things, I think I would also like to teach or train others on learning new things as well.
Who are the people you most admire?
At the risk of sounding cliché, I most admire my parents, Rex and Ginger Orr. They raised eight children and instilled in all of us a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the value of a dollar.
They worked hard their entire lives to ensure we had the chance to pursue a college education, an opportunity they themselves did not have. They modeled for us a commitment to community service and to “give back” where we could.
My husband Joe is a remarkable person. He has overcome a lot of physical challenges and continues to handle his limitations with humor and perseverance. He has been my biggest supporter and is always game for whatever next adventure might be on the horizon.
What are your hobbies or favorite leisure activities, and how did you first get involved?
When Joe and I built our home in the country we were fortunate to have some water on our property. I took up fishing as a hobby and have joked for years that when I retire I am going on the Bass Master fishing tour!
I find yard work to be especially cathartic… instant gratification seeing a freshly mowed lawn or a flower bed without the weeds.
I grew up watching my Mom cut wool material down to 1/8” or 1/4” strips and then hook those strips into a rug. (Not to be confused with latch key hooking- that offends her New England sensibilities!)
She has taught me how to hook a rug and we have had fun sharing that knowledge with others when invited. And yes… I realize how this reads and we have been called Happy Hookers, but it has been a wonderful gift she has given me and I love the time we spend creating colorful rugs.
What are your favorite books, and have you read any recently, or are reading now, that you would recommend?
Larry McMurtry is one of my favorite authors and Lonesome Dove is one of his best. I recently finished reading the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett and I found that to be a great read.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe your childhood?
My parents moved us from New Hampshire to Indiana when I was three years old, so I really remember no childhood other than the one I had growing up in Covington, Indiana.
In looking back, I realize how lucky I was to grow up in the post – World War II era. Despite the national debates raging during the 60’s and 70’s, I lived in a town where walking to school by myself or with friends was the norm; teachers were allowed to give you a hug or a well-deserved swat on the rear if earned; and there was no social media!
It was typical small town Indiana and although I didn’t appreciate what I had then, I sure do appreciate it now.
Do you have a favorite quote(s)?
I have two favorite quotes. One is the Abraham Lincoln quote: “Live a good life, and in the end, it’s not the years in the life, it’s the life in the years.”
The other I believe came from George Washington’s farewell address at the end of his presidency: “The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government.”
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I am a water baby… so pretty much anywhere there is sand, waves and a steady breeze would be my favorite vacation spot. I am particularly fond of the island of Tortola.
Do you have a favorite meal, recipe, and restaurant?
My sister and brother-in-law own a restaurant called The Beef House and I’d be in big trouble if I didn’t say that was my favorite restaurant!
I like to cook and have discovered in recent years the challenges that go with baking desserts to be a lot of trial and error…. Sometimes with great success or miserable failure! Either way… my family and Staff enjoy the results.