Meet the candidates for LMJC judge
Two candidates — Ann Willard Fiddler and Melissa Gifford Hise — are running for a Superior Court judgeship in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, which includes Catoosa, Walker, Dade and Chattooga counties. This is a nonpartisan race.
ANN WILLARD FIDDLER Political party: Non
partisan race
Personal: Raised in Rossville. Graduated from Agnes Scott College, magna cum laude, with a degree in classics and from Stetson University College of Law, cum laude, in 2007. Married for 20 years, two children.
Work history: Part of my parents’ firm, Willard Law Office. My father is a lawyer, my mother is our office manager. I have practiced law in Georgia for almost 16 years and in Tennessee for almost 11 years. Most of my practice has been in the Superior Courts of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. I’ve practiced in two states across eleven counties and handled matters in family law, contract disputes, real property, and estates. I am a court appointed advocate as a Guardian ad Litem and Attorney by the Walker and Catoosa County Probate Courts. I am also a designated legal advocate under the Georgia Family Violence Act.
Volunteer work, associations, etc.: I have been the President of the Lookout Mountain Bar Association since 2022 where we organize legal education and civic events for local attorneys. I am a member of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers. Currently on the Board of Directors for Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults, which provides services for the elderly, foster care, victims of sexual or domestic assault, and the deaf community to over 14 counties.
I was named Pro Bono Champion of the Year for 2023 by the Dalton Office of the Georgia Legal Services Program. In the last year, I provided over 40 hours of free or reduced legal services to those in the community, including participants in the Drug Court and Mental Health Courts of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit.
I serve on the legal team at my church, teach second grade Sunday School and lead children’s worship. I also serve on the Local School Governance Teams of my children’s schools.
Why are you the best choice for the office you seek? I have dedicated my entire career to serving the community. I am proud to have the endorsement of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller and the Catoosa County Solicitor General Doug Woodruff.
In 2022, I became the president of the Lookout Mountain Bar Association which offers legal education and civic involvement for the attorneys in our circuit. I serve on the Board of Directors of Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults which provides services for the vulnerable populations in Georgia and Tennessee including the elderly, abuse victims, foster families, and deaf individuals.
I was recently awarded the Pro Bono Champion of the Year 2023 by Georgia Legal Services Program.
The magnitude of what is occurring in a courtroom at any given time should not be understated. Judges, lawyers, bailiffs, court clerks, witnesses, court staff, jurors, and the general public at any given time with their own unique roles in the judicial system.
Our Circuit has attorneys from the four counties within and from neighboring counties in Tennessee, down to Atlanta, and beyond. Our judges sometimes handle criminal and civil case loads simultaneously.
As part of a Circuit with four judges, it is a collaborative effort between the judges under the guidance of the Chief Superior Court Judge to perform all vital functions of the Circuit, from the scheduling of cases to designation of duties.
If elected,
I will work diligently, as
I have as an attorney for almost 16 years in our Circuit, to provide a court setting for all involved that is professional, welcoming, and efficient, from the calling of the case to be heard to entering an unbiased ruling regardless of whether it involves an unimaginable crime to a custody matter between two parents. A judge should not be an activist or legislate from the bench.
I have a passion and energy for our Circuit and at this stage in my career, I am ready to make the seamless transition from the bar to the bench and continue to serve our community, not only for four years but for many, many more to come.
Contact Info: Facebook: Ann Fiddler for Superior Court Judge; Email: electannfiddler@gmail.com
MELISSA GIFFORD HISE Political party: Non
partisan race
Personal: I have been married for 25 years, two children. I am from Walker County, grew up in High Point, graduated from Chattanooga Valley High School 1986.
Work history:
2012-Present: Associate Attorney, Palmour Law Firm, Summerville, Ga.
2017-Present: Part-time Assistant Magistrate Judge: Walker County Magistrate Court
2020-Present: Registered Mediator: State of Georgia, General Civil; Domestic; Domestic Violence; Juvenile Dependency and Juvenile Delinquency
2011-12: Full-time Assistant Magistrate Judge: Walker County Magistrate Court
1996—2011: Founder and Executive Director, Four Points, Inc., LaFayette, Ga.
1995—96: Law Clerk, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit,
Superior Court, LaFayette, Ga. — Judge Joseph B. Tucker, Judge Jon Bolling Wood, Judge Kristina Cook Graham and Judge Ralph B. Hill, Jr.
1993-95: Associate Attorney, Watson and Dana, LaFayette, Ga.
Political history: I have held no office, but I ran for Superior Court Judge in 2018 for the seat occupied by Ralph Van Pelt.
Volunteer work, associations, etc.: We attend LaFayette First United Methodist Church. Have volunteered on various non-profit boards and assisted with non-profit start-ups such as The Family Crisis Center, the Children’s Advocacy Center, the Sexual Assault Center, Restore 6:34, and The J.W. Greenwood Foundation, Oakwood Christian Academy, and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Chattanooga. Since having my children, I’ve slowed these activities down to focus that extra time on them and their activities. My husband and I are involved in the Boy Scouts of America as our son has been very involved as a Scout and I’ve served in other leadership issues with Scouting.
One or two living elected officials within the state of Georgia whom you admire:
Judge Sheila Thompson, Chief Magistrate Judge for Walker County. I serve as a part-time Magistrate Judge by appointment by Judge Thompson. Judge Thompson has served in the Magistrate Court for 40 years and was recently commended for her dedicated service. Judge Thompson has mentored me on various aspects of judicial conduct in and out of the courtroom.
Judge Thompson cares about the integrity of the court system and believes in upholding all Constitutional rights of litigants in her court. While she and I do not always agree, she is always willing to discuss issues and allow me to make my own judgment after reviewing all the law and the facts. She is a true mentor.
Why are you the best choice for the office you seek? I am fully prepared to handle every aspect of the Superior Court Judge position with more extensive and diverse experience from the first day on the job. I have 30 years of experience as a lawyer. I have seven-plus years of judicial experience as a magistrate court judge. I have the most diverse experience having practiced in the most areas of the law including, family, real estate, criminal, contract, employment, personal injury, torts, business/corporate, government, juvenile, probate, as well as appellate practice and administrative law.
I also practice in federal court. I am a Registered Mediator in the State of Georgia in the areas of general civil litigation, domestic, domestic violence, juvenile dependency, and juvenile delinquency. I also served as law clerk for the Superior Court Judges early in my career.
I have business experience, including budget management as the Executive Director of Four Points, Inc. for fifteen years, managing a sixfigure budget and multiple employees and volunteers.
Contact info: Website: www.melissahiseforjudge. com; Facebook: Melissa Hise for Superior Court Judge; Instagram: ElectMelissaHiseJudge; TikTok: MelissaGHise; Email: mghiseforjudge@gmail.com