Senior Judge Nora Fischer Holds Court

Senior Judge Nora Barry Fischer ’76 J.D. presides over a legal world far different from the one she first encountered after passing the bar. When Fischer sought her first job as a lawyer, a person could interview at many firms without finding even one female lawyer among its roster.

Such was the case at her first firm. But she came prepared.

Notre Dame Law School didn’t exactly have a large population of female students when she attended, but Fischer remembers a well of encouragement on the Golden Dome docket.

“I can recall my Contracts professor, who had a calmness and assuredness in his teaching style,” she said. “I also enjoyed learning trial tactics from Professor Seckinger. He actually was very involved during his career nationally with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.”

But as much as anything, she remembers empathy for the challenge before her and she has tried to pass it on.

Being the First

When hired at her first law firm job in 1977, Fischer was ready to be the first female associate at Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek, & Eck. Still, it felt to her that more than just her own future was on the line.

“I felt the pressure that if I didn’t do well they wouldn’t hire another woman,” she admitted. She did well, indeed. In her 15 years at the firm, other female firsts would include becoming junior partner and senior partner. She shared that a woman law clerk she mentored later became the managing partner after Fischer left.

In her next and final stop as a lawyer, Fischer was equity partner and administrative partner at Pietragallo Bosick & Gordon. She characterized it as more of a commercial firm, where insurance defense, workers’ compensation, and trial work were common. In time, she also took on the role of practice group leader for insurance defense and toxic tort at the firm. Yes, it was 15 years again at this stop—and then the bench came calling.

Or rather it was others who called Fischer to the bench.

Taking the Bench

At the time, she was thriving in practicing law through running practice groups, growing and maintaining a substantial book of business, and basking in the firm’s camaraderie.

Beyond the office, she poured her energy into professional organizations, including the Allegheny County Bar Association, where she served on the Board of Governors, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, where she co-chaired the Commission on Women in the Profession and helped honor the first women lawyers and judges in Pittsburgh. She also served as an officer at the local Academy of Trial Lawyers and as a member of The College of Trial Lawyers. She has also been a longtime Master Member and Counselor with the American Inns of Court.

These experiences added to satisfaction in her career choice, but they also pointed to a flourishing lawyer who could find success as a judge. Not least, as the oldest of eight siblings, those early years of presiding over disagreements perhaps hinted at a future judgeship.

“About the time I turned 50, various people approached me, one being a then-sitting judge here in this courthouse. A couple of others were prominent practi tioners on the plaintiff side and I was largely a defense lawyer.” She recalled them saying to her, “Nora, why don’t you think about the bench?”

She now has 18 years’ experience as a judge and senior judge. As judge, she served the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania from 2007 to 2019. As senior judge, she served in the same district from 2019 to the present.

In recognition of her leadership and commitment to the administration of justice, she was appointed by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. to the Judicial Conference’s Committee on Court Administration and Case Management, which advises on national policy affecting how federal courts manage cases, staffing, and courtroom procedures.

“We call ourselves the court family,” she said. “I think we are like that here, collegial. I find that very rewarding.”

Fischer has proudly watched many of her Notre Dame-educated clerks move on to private practice and work in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Former clerks and interns keep in touch, many in attendance at her oral history in November 2024.

Serving with Pride

Fischer has presided over her share of high-profile cases, including one of the larger U.S. patent cases ever tried, Carnegie Mellon University v. Marvell, which resulted in a verdict of over $1 billion; eventually, the parties settled for $750 million. Throughout her cases, big and small, Fischer has tried to remember what she believes are the qualities of a good judge.

“When I was in practice, I always appreciated a judge who was prepared and cordial,” she said. “I think that helps a bit. I think you have to be fair and listen to both sides. I used to want to jump in and show lawyers how to do something appropriately. But I’ve learned that it will play out however it will play out.”

For Fischer, she could have let it play out in retirement years ago but she chose to carry on as senior judge. She takes pride in serving.

It’s fair to say that many take pride in her.

- Written by Eric Butterman