Episode 5: Judge Donna Strom

In Season 2, Episode 3 of the Direct Examination podcast, hosts Amber Fulmer, Dayne Phillips, and Joseph Bias welcome retired Richland County Family Court Judge Donna Strom. Judge Strom served 20 years on the family court bench in South Carolina after serving as Chief Counsel for the Department of Social Services (DSS) Child Support Enforcement Division, and now works as a private family court mediator.

The episode explores the unique nature of South Carolina’s dedicated family court system, the high emotional stakes of custody and divorce proceedings, and the vital role of mandatory mediation. Judge Strom shares practical guidance for young litigation attorneys, discusses temporary “triage” hearings, reflects on the collaborative spirit of juvenile justice, and recounts an intense personal safety scare during her judicial tenure.

Key Topics Covered

  • South Carolina’s Family Court System: Why South Carolina is one of the few states with a dedicated family court, ensuring specialized judicial oversight for domestic matters.

  • The Reality of Family Court Litigation: Managing high emotional stakes, petty disputes over personal property (from Tupperware to a German “schrank”), and the importance of maintaining professional objectivity.

  • The Power & Success of Mediation: How mandatory family court mediation resolves 90–95% of domestic cases in South Carolina by de-escalating conflict and allowing parties to speak openly.

  • Temporary Hearings as “Triage”: Navigating high-pressure temporary hearings on limited affidavits and why judges should take complex temporary custody/support rulings under advisement.

  • Practical Advice for Litigators: Preparing four copies of every exhibit for trial (attorney, opposing counsel, court reporter, judge) and taking personal responsibility rather than blaming staff for errors.

  • War Story: Judge Strom recounts an emergency protective custody case where a distraught father made threats against her children, leading to SLED intervention and an ultimate resolution.

Transcript

Amber Fulmer: Welcome, y’all, to the Direct Examination podcast! My name is Amber Fulmer.

Dayne Phillips: And I’m Dayne Phillips.

Joseph Bias: And I’m Joseph Bias. What, did you forget your name for a second? What was going on there?

Dayne Phillips: No, it’s been a long day. A moment of reflection.

Joseph Bias: Dayne took a second to appreciate all that the podcast is, all that we do. Again, I want to thank my little brother for the music on this pod. It slaps, it’s good, I get feedback on it all the time. Shout out to Josh Bias and the 630 Band, and happy birthday to Josh this week! Amber, tell us about our special guest today.

Amber Fulmer: Exactly! We do have a special guest today. It is the Honorable Donna Strom, who served as a Family Court judge in Richland County for 20 years. Judge Strom is originally from Rock Hill, South Carolina. She graduated cum laude from Salem College in 1981 and from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1984. After law school, she served as Chief Counsel for the Department of Social Services Child Support Enforcement Division. She was elected to the Family Court bench in Richland County in May 1994, serving for two decades before retiring to begin a private mediation practice. She has two daughters: one is an attorney who worked as an assistant solicitor handling juvenile cases in Beaufort, and her other daughter attends Clemson and plans to practice family law. Welcome, Judge Strom!

Judge Donna Strom: Thanks for having me!

Amber Fulmer: The boys are always terrified of family law. They avoid the second floor of Lexington County and the third floor of Richland like it’s on fire! Why is that?

Judge Donna Strom: I tried to talk my daughters out of going into it, but it hasn’t worked at this point! South Carolina is one of the very few states in the nation that has a dedicated family court. In other states, a judge might hear a medical malpractice case today and a custody case tomorrow. We are fortunate to have dedicated family court judges because family court brings together what life is all about—your heart, your soul, your family, and your finances. There is a lot at stake.

Dayne Phillips: John Nichols once told me he didn’t do family law because he got tired of hearing people fight over a toaster at the 12th hour when a case was about to resolve.

Judge Donna Strom: That’s just how raw the emotions run. As a mediator, I’ve had cases where we mediated for 10 hours, we were within a natt’s nose of having an agreement signed, and the wife says, “You know, I really think I want his Lazy Boy chair!” I had to ask her, “Do you really want me to go back in there and fight over a Lazy Boy?” Sometimes you have to step out and let the lawyer remind them of the big picture!