Lisa J. Gaier, Esq.
Service to country, county and community are virtually prerequisites to living in the Gaier household. Lisa Gaier’s husband of 29 years, Matt, honorably served in the United States Marines from 1990 to 2014, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Their son, Jake, followed his father’s path by active service in the U.S. Army from 2016 to 2019. Jake still serves his country today as a member of the National Guard. Her daughter Kylee gives back to the Lehigh Valley community by teaching chemistry and biology. And then there’s Judge Gaier herself who has served – and continues to serve — her community in so many ways.
Upon graduation from Widener University Commonwealth Law School in 2009, Judge Gaier immediately began her public service to Bucks County as an Assistant District Attorney. As a rookie prosecutor, one of her first duties was conducting a preliminary hearing before then-District Judge C. Robert Roth in her hometown court in Quakertown. The young prosecutor introduced herself and was asked by the District Judge (who had held the judicial seat since 1992) where she saw herself in the future. Her response was that she envisioned herself behind his bench as the Quakertown District Judge — well, once Judge Roth chose to retire, of course. Eight years later in 2017, her response would be prophetic when Bob Roth sought the greener pastures of retirement and Lisa ascended to the Quakertown Court after winning both party primaries for the open seat.
Between her service as a young prosecutor and her elevation to the minor judiciary, Lisa has made great strides in the betterment of her community both locally and countywide. While in the Bucks County DA’s Office, she became actively involved in their Community Outreach Program and gave numerous public presentations regarding Internet Safety. Equipped with her valuable trial experience, Lisa set off for private practice, for a decade, where she concentrated on family and elder law. However, her private practice did not sidetrack her community involvement. She ventured into politics and successfully ran for Quakertown Borough Council, a position she held for almost four years until she was mandated to tender her resignation when she sought her judicial office.
During her time on Council, everyone knew Lisa. Whether it was her involvement with Quakertown’s “Shop With A Cop” program or her leadership as Chair on the Community Accountability Program, a diversionary program for first-time offenders, Lisa became well-known and well-respected for her service through volunteering in the Quakertown Community. All of this made her a natural to run for the judicial office when the seat opened up. To this day, even as a sitting District Judge, Lisa can be found throughout the community, including as a volunteer at Quakertown’s “Sounds of Summer” outdoor concert series. Judge Gaier also shares her wealth of legal experience as an Adjunct Law Professor at her alma mater Widener.
Lisa’s commitment to the betterment of the Bucks County Courts was recognized last year when she was elected to serve as the President of the Bucks County District Judge Association. She has received high praise from both her colleagues as well as from courts officials and police officers for her responsiveness to issues of concern. During her tenure, she has worked closely with Court Administration in an effort to bring much-needed change to an antiquated on-call system.
Although Lisa has taken much pride in her work within the community, her greatest joy is the time she spends with her “paralegals” – that is, her grandchildren, who sometimes accompany her to Court. Inside her judicial chambers which is filled with diplomas, certificates and accolades, one cannot help but notice the multitude of children’s toys. Throughout her career, Lisa has seemed to master excelling at both devotion to her community and devotion to her family.
She often advises, family and service above all.
Judge Gaier has spent a career giving back to her community. She said, that she simply loves her community…and by all accounts, her community loves and appreciates her.