Daviess County District Court Judge Shannon Meyer has been named one of The Kentucky Gazette’s “2022 Notable Women in Kentucky Politics and Government.”
“These 50 women represent some of the most intelligent and powerful women leading our commonwealth in a broad range of fields – elected office, government service, labor, lobbying and nonprofit leadership,” said Laura Cullen Glasscock, editor of The Kentucky Gazette. “The honorees are from a variety of backgrounds and are known for their ability to effectuate progress at the local, regional, state, and federal level.”
Meyer has practiced law for 24 years and was nominated last year to fill the unexpired term of retired Judge Nick Burlew. The nomination, made by a bipartisan committee of attorneys and laypersons, was chaired by Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court Honorable Judge Minton. The governor appointed Meyer to the bench in January 2022.
“Throughout my career, I’ve proven to have a strong desire to help parties resolve conflict, to strengthen familial and interpersonal relationships, and to encourage intervention and treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, so that people can better care for themselves, their families and their community,” Meyer said. “Periodically, I’m approached outside of court by people I’ve either prosecuted or sentenced, who have thanked me for being hard on them.”
She said they often share how they have improved their lives and she believes this growth is a direct result of significant consequences.
“I’m proud to be part of a system that provides them the opportunity for growth; a system designed with both serious consequences and opportunity for personal growth,” she said.
As a mother of three, two of them girls, Meyer said that she has always tried to model that they can do anything.
“It wasn’t always easy balancing my practice with being a mother, but I worked hard at both because both were so important to me,” Meyer said. “My determination was strengthened by my life experience as a woman.”
Meyer believes that female representation is essential within the judiciary system.
“I’m happy that the historically uneven gender equality among our judges is becoming more even,” she said. “Quite frankly, here in Daviess County, I’m honored to serve among very fine male and female judges.”
Meyer said that she has worked hard as a prosecutor for 21 years to earn the respect of her peers by doing the right thing and balancing her firm approach with the appropriate amount of compassion.
“I believe my work there created the opportunity for my appointment as district judge, which I hope generated a sense of pride in my girls and the belief that they, too, can achieve their goals through hard work and by doing the right thing,” she said.
Meyer was one of the first members of Impact100 Owensboro, a local organization exclusive to women members that awards grants to area nonprofits. She formerly served as legal counsel for Impact100 Owensboro.
Meyer said she is honored to be included with 50 other notable women in Kentucky politics and government.
“I am sincerely honored to be among such good company of these professional women of Kentucky, some of whom I have long respected and admired,” Meyer said. “I appreciate the Kentucky Gazette for recognizing my dedication to serving Daviess County.”
The Kentucky Gazette is a publication covering Kentucky government, politics, and public affairs.
