Elected to the bench in 2014, Judge Megan Goldish presides over Branch 63 of the Domestic Violence Court Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. She handles Chicago area misdemeanors, felonies, various civil and criminal matters, and cases centered on child and elderly victims, and a significant percentage overlap with federal laws and jurisdiction. Judge Megan Goldish presides over jury and bench trials in her courtroom and rules on legal arguments and other types of motions.
Judge Goldish often handles sensitive matters that may involve confidential information. She facilitates a status call each week to ensure compliance in probation, deferred prosecution, and supervision cases. She also conducts hearings related to no-stalking and no-contact orders and emergency orders of protection.
In addition, Judge Goldish has earned distinction in her field and served as president of the North Suburban Bar Association. An adjunct instructor with the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, she has served as a panelist at numerous “Lunch and Learn” events and volunteers as a Moot Court Competition evaluator. A longstanding Women’s Bar Association of Illinois member, she has chaired the Criminal Litigation Committee and the Standing Committee on Government Lawyers.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day combines structured courtroom duties with adaptive problem solving. Mornings begin with reviewing confidential records, motions, and legal research before court sessions. I preside over a high-volume domestic violence docket, balancing criminal/civil cases, emergency protection orders, and occasional bond court. Evenings often involve writing orders or mentoring newer judges. My productivity stems from meticulous preparation, prioritizing urgent matters (e.g., emergency orders), and compartmentalizing tasks to address sensitive cases with focus.
How do you bring ideas to life?
By merging legal expertise with community engagement. For example, my work with the Mobile Museum of Tolerance (Simon Wiesenthal Center) and Bright Star Community Outreach translates judicial insights into educational programs. In my work as an adjunct professor, I design mock trials and lectures to bridge theory and practice. My improv training (Second City) also fosters creative approaches to courtroom communication.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Trauma-informed justice. Highlighting the growing recognition of how trauma impacts victims, witnesses, and even offenders can lead to reforms in courtroom procedures, victim advocacy programs, and interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., mental health services in courts).
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Continuous learning. Dedicating time daily to review new laws, appellate decisions, and academic literature, ensuring rulings reflect current standards.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Balance conviction with humility. The law is rigid, but its application requires empathy—especially in domestic violence cases where trauma isn’t always visible. Listen first, then lead.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Improvisational theater skills are as critical to judicial effectiveness as legal analysis. The ability to adapt, read non-verbal cues, and think on your feet transforms courtroom dynamics.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Mentor others. Whether guiding new judges, law students, or community advocates, sharing knowledge can foster systemic change. My work with Northwestern’s Public Interest Law Group exemplifies this.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take a step back to reassess priorities, often consulting trusted colleagues like Presiding Judge Raul Vega. Physical activity (e.g., Old Town School of Music performances) and interfaith volunteer work also provide perspective.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Cross-sector collaboration. By partnering with nonprofits (e.g., Abolition Institute, Chicago Lighthouse), I gain insight into systemic issues affecting litigants.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career I somewhat underestimated the emotional toll of domestic violence cases. Overcoming it required seeking peer support and training in trauma-informed practices. The lesson: Self-care isn’t indulgence—it’s necessary to serve others effectively.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A “Legal Literacy Theater” program where actors and lawyers collaborate to dramatize common legal scenarios (e.g., protection orders, custody hearings) for community education, demystifying the process for vulnerable populations.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Legal research platforms (e.g., Westlaw). I use them to quickly access precedent, track legislative updates, and draft rulings—critical for a high-volume docket where time is limited.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. It deepened my understanding of trauma’s impact on behavior and influenced my courtroom demeanor.
Podcast: Stay Tuned with Preet (Preet Bharara) for its nuanced discussions on justice and ethics.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Trial of the Chicago 7 for its exploration of judicial bias, activism, and the interplay between law and social change.
Key learnings
- Trauma-informed justice is transforming how courts handle domestic violence cases, requiring judges to balance legal rigor with empathy.
- Community engagement (e.g., interfaith programs, improv theater) enhances judicial effectiveness by fostering cultural competency.
- Mentorship and education are critical to sustaining systemic change, as seen in roles like adjunct teaching and mock trial coaching.
- Adaptability—exemplified by pandemic-era courtroom rotations—ensures access to justice even in crises.
- Cross-sector collaboration (nonprofits, academia) bridges gaps between legal systems and community needs.