Judge Usha J. Bridges was born in Gaffney, South Carolina on September 28, 1960. She is the daughter of Orban Jefferies, Sr. and Mary D. Jefferies. She is a graduate of Gaffney High School, and received a B.A. Degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, South Carolina.

In April 1993, Judge Bridges started practicing law with Fletcher N. Smith & Associates in Greenville, South Carolina. Upon returning to Gaffney in December 1993, she became full-time Juvenile Public Defender with the Cherokee County Public Defender's Office. In July 1996, she contracted with Cherokee County to continue her representation as the Juvenile Public Defender and then opened her private practice. In addition to her private practice and juvenile public defender contract, she has been contracted with the Governor's office since December 1993 wherein she represented the Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program. In July 1999, she was appointed to serve as a Municipal Judge for the City of Gaffney.

She is a member of the Indian Baptist Church, Gaffney, South Carolina, where she has served as Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Teacher and as one of the main cooks in the soup kitchen. She is married to Allie Bridges, Jr. and they have five (5) children, Meredith Bridges McKee, Allie Bridges, III, Garrett S. Bridges, Samantha J. Bridges and Garrison A. Bridges and three (3) grandchildren, Jayden M. Bridges, Alicya N. Sims and Dylan A. McKee.

She enjoys fishing, reading, cooking and supporting her children in their extra-curricular activities.