Judge Anne Fisher Segal is the Justice of the Peace for Precinct One. She was elected in November, 2008 and represents a portion of the northern section of Pima County. Her precinct is approximately the area north of the Rillito River between Catalina Highway and Shannon Road to the town of Catalina.
Judge Segal graduated from Saguaro High School and then the University of Arizona. She graduated with distinction with a degree in journalism and political science. She worked in Washington D.C. until she attended the University of San Diego School of Law. After graduating from law school, Judge Segal worked for the San Diego County Public Defenders office as a court-appointed counsel for the indigent. She was in San Diego when she met her husband, Dr. Robert Segal, a dermatologist. They moved to Quincy, Illinois and Judge Segal became a prosecuting attorney for the State of Illinois. As a prosecuting attorney, Judge Segal established the first victim waiting area for minor children and initiated the first simultaneous video broadcast for children who were required to testify in court. The procedure enabled children to testify in a separate, secure room, rather than in a courtroom full of strangers.
The Segals moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico to be closer to the Southwest. Judge Segal taught for New Mexico State University and started on her PhD in Education, Management and Development. She taught criminal law and procedure, communications law, the courts and the legal process, as well as administrative law. Judge Segal's PhD dissertation proposal is on the effects of community service sanctions on college students. While in New Mexico, Judge Segal organized a children's swim team and served as a Girl Scout leader. She also co-authored a book, "Mental Health Laws of New Mexico."
Judge Segal was elected to be a magistrate court judge in Dona Ana County, a position similar to that of Justice of the Peace. "I was the first attorney elected to be a magistrate court judge , " she said. The state does not require magistrate judges to be attorneys. I loved the work, but we felt that the opportunities for our children were better in Tucson."
In 2004, the Segals moved to Tucson. Judge Segal's mother is retired Superior Court judge, Lillian Fisher. Her sister is a well-respected family law attorney, Margie Fisher Cunningham. "I have the greatest mom and greatest family in the world," Judge Segal said, "why not live near them?" Dr. Segal's mother, Bertha Segal, and sister also live in Tucson. The Segals have three children, Stephen, Brad and Bonnie.
Judge Segal worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona. She taught communications and law at the School of Journalism, Arizona education law, ethics, law and society as well as Communication and the Legal Process.
Since returning to Tucson, Judge Segal has also been an active participant in community activities. She was the president of the Catalina Foothills High School (CFHS) Family Faculty Organization, a member of the Catalina Foothills Foundation and a member of the CFHS Accountability Committee. Judge Segal also served on the site selection committee for long-range planning. She is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Tucson, a co-chair of the Federation "Connections." She is a member of the Pima County Medical Alliance, the Tohno Chule Association, the University of California, San Diego Parent Advisory Committee and the University of San Diego School of Law Reunion Committee. Judge Segal belongs to two book clubs and a women's investment club.
Judge Segal is a member of the Pima County Bar Association, the Arizona State Bar Association, the California State Bar Association (inactive), the Illinois State Bar Association (inactive) and the New Mexico State Bar Association (inactive). Judge Segal feels that passing four state bar examinations is sufficient and doesn't plan to leave this community.
