Amanda Byassee Gott
Judge Amanda Byassee Gott is an At-Large Circuit Judge in Illinois’ First Judicial Circuit, serving the southernmost nine counties of the state. Elected to the bench in November 2018, she has presided over a wide variety of civil, family, and juvenile matters in multiple counties throughout the circuit. She currently presides over juvenile abuse, neglect, truancy, and delinquency cases in Williamson and Saline Counties, as well as adoptions, orders of protection, complex family law matters, and other assigned cases in Williamson County.
Judge Gott earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois State University in 1996, graduating in just three years with double majors in Music and Political Science. She received her Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 1999 and was admitted to practice law in Illinois that same year.
She began her legal career with Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, first practicing under a Rule 711 student license and then as an attorney representing victims of domestic violence. She later entered private practice, primarily as a solo practitioner, where she maintained a general civil practice with an emphasis on family law. During her years in private practice, she became a certified family law mediator and served as a court-approved Guardian ad Litem in the First and Second Judicial Circuits of Illinois. Throughout her legal career, Judge Gott remained committed to serving those in need by continuing to represent indigent clients through Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance’s Pro Bono Involvement Program. In recognition of her dedication to pro bono service, she received the Joseph Bartylak Pro Bono Award in 2015.
Judge Gott is recognized for her steadfast commitment to improving the lives of children and families through a compassionate, collaborative, and innovative approach to the administration of justice. As a juvenile court judge, she has championed evidence-based practices and cross-system collaboration that strengthen families while promoting child safety and well-being. She has developed numerous courtroom forms and parent education materials designed to improve communication, transparency, and access to information for families navigating the juvenile court system.
In 2025, Judge Gott established the Juvenile Court Action Team (JCAT), a multidisciplinary collaborative that brings together community agencies, educators, treatment providers, legal professionals, and other stakeholders to improve services, increase education, and enhance outcomes for children and families involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
A leader in advancing family-centered initiatives, Judge Gott organized and hosted Illinois’ first Family Reunification Celebration in June 2026. The event recognized families who successfully reunited following involvement with the child welfare system, while also honoring the professionals and community partners whose dedication made those reunifications possible. Her leadership reflects a deep belief that, whenever safely achievable, preserving and restoring families benefits children, strengthens communities, and reinforces public confidence in the judicial system. Through her work on and off the bench, Judge Gott remains committed to advancing a fair, innovative, and responsive juvenile court system.
Judge Gott has been an active member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) since 2023. She completed the nationally recognized Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (CANI) in 2024 and served on the organization’s Development and Curriculum Committee from 2025 to 2026. In Illinois, she serves on the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts’ Illinois Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Project Workgroup and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Analysis Advisory Panel. She previously served on the Juvenile Workgroup of the Illinois Committee on Judicial Education in 2024 and has been a presenter and panelist at Illinois Judicial Education Conferences in 2024 and 2026.
Judge Gott also serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Judges Association and is a member of the Illinois Advanced Judicial Academy Committee. Within the First Judicial Circuit, she serves on the Pro Bono and Media Relations Committee and the Juvenile Justice Council, where she coordinated and taught at the 2023 Truancy Summit. She is a member and Past President of the Williamson County Bar Association and is an active member of the Southern Illinois Inn of Court, where she regularly presents educational programs.
Throughout her career, Judge Gott has taught multidisciplinary courses at regional conferences, spoken throughout the community, and served on panels addressing juvenile justice, truancy prevention, child abuse awareness and prevention, pro bono service, court therapy dog programs, women in the legal profession, child support, and other legal issues. She has also participated annually in the Illinois Judges Association’s “Page It Forward” literacy initiative, reading to elementary school students each year since taking the bench.
Beyond the courtroom, Judge Gott is deeply engaged in her community. She is a member and Past President of the Marion Rotary Club, serves on the Board of the Marion Cultural and Civic Center Foundation, and sings with the Marion Market Street Community Choir. An active member of her church choir and frequent soloist, she has been a lifelong vocalist and is often invited to perform the National Anthem at community events. She previously served on the Marion Unit 2 School Board and is a proud supporter of her hometown Marion Wildcats. Judge Gott resides in Marion, Illinois, with her husband and is the proud mother of three adult sons.