Judith Susan Sheindlin, widely known as Judge Judy, is an American attorney, jurist, and television producer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she earned her Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1965. She began her legal career as a corporate lawyer before transitioning to the New York family court system in 1972, eventually becoming a supervising judge in Manhattan.

Sheindlin gained national recognition following a 1993 Los Angeles Times article and a segment on CBS's 60 Minutes, leading to her first book and her retirement from the bench in 1996. That same year, her syndicated courtroom show, Judge Judy, debuted. The program ran for 25 seasons, becoming the highest-rated court show and earning her a Guinness World Record for the longest-serving television arbitrator. In 2021, she launched a new streaming series, Judy Justice. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards.

Judith Susan Blum was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents of German and Russian Jewish heritage. She pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in government from American University in 1963 and a Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1965. After passing the New York bar exam, she initially worked as a corporate lawyer. However, seeking a more fulfilling path, she joined the New York family court system in 1972 as a prosecutor. Her dedication and approach led to her appointment as a criminal court judge by New York Mayor Ed Koch in 1982, and she later advanced to supervising judge in Manhattan's family court division.

Sheindlin's reputation as a formidable judge attracted significant media attention, including a profile in the Los Angeles Times and an appearance on CBS's 60 Minutes, which brought her widespread recognition. This exposure paved the way for her first book and her departure from the judiciary in 1996, after presiding over thousands of cases. In the same year, she launched her highly successful television program, Judge Judy. The show, which featured real cases and rulings, aired for 25 seasons and consistently held top Nielsen ratings, making her a prominent figure in courtroom-themed programming.

Following the conclusion of Judge Judy in 2021, Sheindlin continued her career in television arbitration with the streaming series Judy Justice, which premiered on IMDb TV (later Amazon Freevee). This new program offered a modernized take on the courtroom show format, incorporating elements like input from younger family members and a more in-depth examination of cases. Judy Justice garnered critical acclaim, earning a Daytime Emmy Award and further solidifying Sheindlin's status as a leading figure in television law programming, recognized for her unique approach to dispute resolution.

“I don't know. You know, somehow it would sort of break the spell. The show has been such a tremendous success that I'm almost afraid to think about winning—because so many of those shows that did win are no longer with us. So I say to myself 'you want the Emmy or you want a job? (laughing) Which one do you want?'”

“25 is a good round number”