Jefferson Circuit Court (Family Trial Division) Eleanore M. Garber Division 5

The Honorable Eleanore Mackey Garber has been a Family Court Judge in Jefferson County, 30^th Judicial Circuit, Division Five (5) since June 1999.  She was elected Jefferson District Court Judge and served in District Court from January to June 1999. 

            Judge Garber received her BA from Oberlin College, a Master of Arts and Teaching from Cornell University, and her JD from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston.  Formerly, she was a teacher of high school social studies, and an editorial assistant for NEWSWEEK, and worked as a legislative lobbyist for a Boston, MA task force promoting educational and mental health services for children. 

            Prior to being elected Judge, Eleanore was in a private law practice for 23 years, specializing in civil rights, employment discrimination, and family law matters.  She was lead counsel representing plaintiffs in the airport neighborhoods, Prestonia, Highland Park and Standiford, who were affected by the relocation in connection with the expansion of Standiford Field in 1989-1993.  She also served as Jefferson Circuit Court Domestic Relations Commissioner from 1994-1998.

            Professional activities include serving as Judge for Jefferson Family Drug Court, a specialty court, serving approximately 70 clients, which provides intensive court intervention in collaboration with treatment, protective services, and other community agencies for mothers whose children have been placed in foster care or with relatives due to substance abuse issues.  She is also a Master in the Louis Brandeis American Inn of Court.

            Judge Garber has two children, Sarah and Daniel, and is a 30-year Louisville resident.