Angela Roewe
Contributing Writer

Laura K. Grandy has no time for recess. Her career is at its peak, reminding women everywhere that they can achieve any goal they set, despite being active with a family, community and career. Grandy has juggled all three for decades and was recently rewarded by being appointed the first female federal judge in the Southern District of Illinois.

As the new Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Grandy is busy hearing cases, attending training sessions on courtroom administration, organizing her office, and thanking those who have helped her along the way. She says that supportive family and friends have been key in helping her to achieve a dream that, decades ago, was nearly impossible for a woman to reach.

Grandy's recent appointment is the culmination of a life-long interest. Grandy knew at a young age that she wanted to practice law because of her love of history and politics. Her parents and grandparents guided and supported her, but not without some humor. "I loved watching Perry Mason when I was little," Grandy said. "I remember telling my Grandma Emma that I wanted to become a lawyer and she said, 'You know what they say about a lawyer don't you? A lawyer is a liar.' I still get a chuckle when I think of that one, and so did my friends and colleagues when I quoted Grandma Emma during my Investiture speech."

Grandy grew up in Belleville, attending Belleville East High School and graduating with the class of 1976. While at Belleville East, Grandy was an active student. She was the president of the student council, a thespian, member of the first girl's basketball team, a Girl's Nation Senator, concert choir member, band member, National Honor Society member and involved in many other activities and groups. As a result of her hard work, Grandy received the Exchange Club Youth of the Year Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Award, American Good Citizenship Award, Elk's Scholarship, Reiss Memorial Scholarship and a full-tuition Illinois Legislative Scholarship.

After graduation, Grandy attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating with highest honors and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980. While there, she received the Panhellenic Counsel Outstanding Scholarship Award and was nominated for the President's Award. In 1981, Grandy began law school at Saint Louis University School of Law. While in law school, she received the William and Regina Kneip Best Moot Court Brief Award, the Childress Memorial Scholarship and worked as a staff member on the Public Law Forum. She graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1984. "I still remember graduation," she said. "It seemed I had accomplished so much but the really hard work was yet to come."

Grandy had her first child, a daughter, at the end of her second year of law school, just four days after her Constitutional Law class final exam. "I was trying to balance being a wife, new mother, and a successful law student at the same time," she said. "It was hard work, but I made sure being a mother came first." Grandy said she raised her children as she was raised, instilling values and traditions that she believes help youth grow-up to be grounded and successful community members. "No matter how many activities the kids were in, I cooked dinner most nights and we ate together, at home, as a family," she said. "It was always important to me that we had time together to discuss our day and what was going on in school. As they grew older, when they did their homework I did my work side-by-side with them. I didn't sleep a lot, but I always made sure they had my attention after 5:00 p.m. Even now, my son, who lives in New York City, will call late at night and say, 'I knew you were up, I just wanted to call and do homework together'. I am very proud of the adults they have become."

Along with being a mother, for over 25 years, Grandy practiced law, specializing in bankruptcy. She was a partner in the law firm of Mathis, Marifian, Richter and Grandy Ltd. in downtown Belleville for 19 years. In 1991, she was appointed to serve as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee, for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois. She held that position until she was appointed Chief Judge.

While just appointed, Grandy's most recent application for the position of bankruptcy judge wasn't the first. She had applied in 1994 and was named a finalist but, due to budget cuts, the position was never filled. Grandy continued to practice law vowing to apply if the opportunity again presented itself. It did last year when Chief Judge Kenneth J. Meyers announced his retirement. Grandy applied and waited.

The merit nomination is made after the United States Court of Appeals thoroughly reviews all applications. The 7th Circuit then makes the final decision. Grandy was aware she was one of five finalists out of 36 applicants, and received a call in February confirming her appointment as the next Chief Judge. While the FBI was completing a background check, she began clearing a workload of over 300 cases. "Because I didn't know when the FBI's background check would be complete, winding down my practice was challenging."

On March 12, Grandy was sworn in during her Investiture Ceremony at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, surrounded by her children, partner Carol Bartle, mother Dorothy Koeneman Brown, and other family members, friends and colleagues. "I was amazed at the people who came to take part in one of the greatest moments of my lifetime," Grandy said. "It was a very emotional day - one minute I was crying, the next laughing. I thought much about my father, Roy Koeneman, who passed away in 2001 and how much he would have liked to have been there. It's a day I will never forget." Angela Roewe
Contributing Writer
Grandy is now learning all she can about being on the other side of the bench, and she says it's not as easy as it looks. Each day, her favorite coffee mug reminds her that she doesn't have all the answers and that she may make mistakes along her journey. The mug displays a quote from Michelangelo that reads: "I am still learning." "I'm aware that I am making decisions that will affect other peoples' lives," Grandy said. "Every decision I lay down will shape a family's future, so I have to be very, very careful; listen very closely to everyone involved; and think things through. I have learned to over-prepare now more than ever."

In the past three-and-a-half months, Grandy has learned quite a bit, including the need for education among young people about the importance of financial responsibility. "Young adults are finding themselves in over their heads with debt. There has been a 96% increase in bankruptcy filings for young adults over the last 10 years. There are a lot of reasons why they end up at this point but we need to start teaching our youth earlier about money management and the importance of saving now."

To try and address this educational need, Grandy and others are instituting a free program through the Bankruptcy Association of Southern Illinois. Judges and lawyers will go into high schools to teach students about financial responsibility and money management. "It's the old adage - if you want to buy something, make sure you can pay for it," she said, "and if you do use a charge card to purchase it, think about how much more it will cost in the long run. We have to start focusing more on our needs and less on our wants."

While Grandy is excited about her new position, there have been some drawbacks. "Because of my appointment, I had to step down from Mathis, Marifian, Richter and Grandy," she said. "The attorneys there are like family to me and the office's location is just seven blocks away from the house where I grew up. Now, my office is in the federal courthouse in East St. Louis. The building is gorgeous and full of history, charm and character but I miss walking the streets of downtown Belleville where I grew up."

Also, for years, Grandy dedicated her time to community charities, area schools and city functions, such as Wine, Dine and Jazz and ART on the SQUARE. Ethics rules curb what outside activities Grandy can participate in, however, and she will miss being able to participate in fundraisers for local organizations.

Despite sitting in East St. Louis as Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Grandy's life remains rooted in Belleville. With a one-of-a-kind artist's rendition of the Belleville Memorial Fountain on her desk and ART on the SQUARE pieces lining her walls, Grandy can't forget her hometown or the people who support her. "Belleville will always have a special place in my heart because that's where my life began," she said.