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Judy Sheindlin

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Judith Susan Sheindlin, widely known as Judge Judy, is a prominent American attorney and television personality. She is best known as a television arbitrator, a person who settles legal disputes outside of a traditional courtroom. Sheindlin became a massive cultural figure through her eponymous syndicated show, *Judge Judy*. This program featured real cases with real rulings, making her a household name. Her work in courtroom-themed programming was so extensive that she earned a place in the Guinness World Records in 2015. She was recognized as the longest-serving judge or arbiter in the history of such television programming.

Sheindlin's journey to television fame began with a rigorous legal education and a career in the public justice system. She graduated from American University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in government. Following this, she earned a Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1965. After passing the New York state bar examination, she briefly worked as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetics firm. However, she soon transitioned into public service. In 1972, she became a prosecutor within the New York family-court system. Her reputation for dedication eventually led New York Mayor Ed Koch to appoint her as a criminal-court judge in 1982. She eventually rose to the rank of supervising judge in the Manhattan division of the family court.

Judge Judy next to painting
Judge Judy next to painting

Her transition from the real legal system to the entertainment industry was sparked by media attention. In 1993, a profile in the *Los Angeles Times* highlighted her determination to make the court system work for the common good. This was followed by a segment on the news program *60 Minutes*, which brought her national recognition. She retired from her role as a family-court judge in 1996, having presided over more than 20,000 cases. Shortly after, she accepted an offer to host a new reality courtroom series. *Judge Judy* debuted on September 16, 1996, and ran for 25 seasons until July 23, 2021. Throughout its run, she was accompanied by her bailiff, Petri Byrd, who also served as her bailiff in the Manhattan family-court system.

The impact of *Judge Judy* on television history is reflected in its massive viewership and various accolades. The show was a dominant force in daytime television, often serving as the highest-rated program in first-run syndication from 2009 to 2021. It regularly drew between nine and ten million viewers every day. The show's popularity was so significant that a 2013 *Reader's Digest* poll indicated Americans trusted Sheindlin more than all nine justices of the United States Supreme Court. Sheindlin's individual success is marked by numerous awards. She has won several Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program. Notably, she is the only television arbitrator to win this award for more than one show, having won three for *Judge Judy* and one for her later series, *Judy Justice*.

Sheindlin's career also reached incredible financial heights. In 2005, her annual salary was reported to be approximately $25 million. By 2008, her contract renewal increased her yearly pay to $45 million. In 2017, *Forbes* reported that she earned $147 million before taxes. Her daily earnings were also quite substantial; during her active run, her salary translated to over $900,000 for every workday. These figures helped her rank as one of the richest women in entertainment. Despite the intense schedule, Sheindlin remained engaged with her work, even facing health challenges like a mini-stroke in 2011 while on set.

In 2021, Sheindlin transitioned to the digital age with the launch of *Judy Justice*. This series premiered on November 1, 2021, on the streaming service IMDb TV, which later became Amazon Freevee. This move was significant because it was the first standard court show to release episodes exclusively through a streaming platform. The new format is described as a more modern or "hip" version of her previous work. It features a modernized courtroom set and different procedural elements. For example, the show uses a stenographer to quote testimony more frequently to resolve discrepancies. It also allows for deeper exploration of cases, often focusing on a single long case rather than the two cases per episode typical of her previous show.

Judge Judy next to painting
Judge Judy next to painting

While *Judy Justice* introduced changes, such as a new bailiff named Kevin Rasco, it maintained Sheindlin's core role as an arbitrator. The show also incorporates input from her granddaughter to appeal to a younger audience. Although some longtime fans expressed concern over the absence of Officer Byrd, the new series achieved its own milestones. It set a record for the number of streaming hours viewed on IMDb TV during its first season. This success ensured the show was granted a second season, which premiered on November 7, 2022. Through both her traditional and streaming series, Sheindlin continues to apply her legal expertise to help resolve disputes and navigate the complexities of human conflict.

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