The KBA is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 election for vice president and for bar governors in the 4th, 6th, and 7th districts. These members will take their oath of office later this year and will begin their terms on July 1, 2026.

Vice President
 

•  Amelia M. Adams, Lexington
   

Ms. Adams will be serving with the following officers for the 2026-2027 term: President Matthew P. Cook, Bowling Green; President-Elect J. Tanner Watkins, Louisville; Immediate Past President Todd V. McMurtry, Ft. Mitchell and Young Lawyers Division Chair Christine L. Stanley, Lexington.

Bar Governors
 

The following Bar Governors were elected and will serve from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028:
 

• 4th District: Ronald E. Johnson, Louisville
• 6th District: Jennifer L. Lawrence, Covington
• 7th District: R. Stephen McGinnis, Greenup

These governors had uncontested elections and will serve the same 2026-2028 term: 1st District James R. Coltharp, Jr., Paducah; 2nd District Ryan C. Reed, Bowling Green; 3rd District Hailey Scoville Bonham, London and 5th District Erritt H. Griggs, Frankfort.

The KBA extends its congratulations and appreciation to all newly elected officers and bar governors. We look forward to their leadership and thank them for their dedication and service to the profession.

We are excited to announce the theme, "Beyond Precedent:  Law's Next Frontier," and our logo for this year's annual convention!  Join us this summer as we dive into the world of artificial intelligence and showcase what this new frontier means for the practice of law.  More information regarding our feature speakers and CLE programming, as well as events, and much more will be available soon!  Make plans now to join us, June 11 & 12, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.

The Kentucky Supreme Court has entered Administrative Order 2026-01, which approves amendments to the Rules of Appellate Procedure and shall become effective April 1, 2026.

In January, the AOC released several new and revised legal forms. A complete list of all the revised and newly created AOC legal forms can be viewed on the KCOJ website, Legal Forms page. Additionally, the forms are available for immediate use on the KYeCourts website, in the KCOJ Forms app.

Join a short, 30-minute webinar to see how Smokeball Bill helps solo and small firms manage trust accounts, streamline billing, and get paid faster, all at no cost. 

 

Feb 11, 2026 | 12:00 PM EST 

Read the latest edition of the Bench & Bar.

View Bench & Bar

Each year, the Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD) solicits nominations for the following four awards: Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, Young Lawyer Service to Community Award, Service to Young Lawyers Award and the Nathaniel R. Harper Award.

 

Do you know of a friend, colleague, organization, or program that would be a worthy recipient? We encourage you visit the YLD webpage to complete the applications, learn more about each award, and send in your nominations.
 
Nominations should be submitted to yldvicechair@kybar.org and must be received by noon on Friday, February 20, 2026. Please see the YLD webpage for more information about the awards and nominating a deserving candidate!

Each year, the Young Lawyer Division (YLD) elects its vice chair and district representatives. If you desire to be of service to the Bar and young lawyers across our Commonwealth, we hope you will consider submitting your nomination for election to the position of YLD District Representative or YLD Vice Chair for the 2026-2027 bar year. A nomination form is available here.

The Young Lawyers Division, in partnership with Feeding Kentucky and the Office of the Kentucky Attorney General, is asking Kentucky attorneys to help feed Kentucky by supporting the 2026 Legal Food Frenzy. Through this program, and with your help, we can provide for Kentucky families in need.

 

This year's campaign will take place March 11-27, 2026. During this time, law firms, legal organizations, and law schools across the Commonwealth will raise funds to support Kentucky's seven regional food banks, all while participating in a friendly competition to see who can give and raise the most!

 

Team registration opens February 3.
Register your team and learn more at: kyfoodfrenzy.com

The Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division is proud to kick off their 10th annual Legal Food Frenzy!

 

Join us on February 27th at 5:30 p.m., ET, at the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law to celebrate. Tickets for the event will be $25 plus processing fees. Register Now!

The Kentucky Bar Association invites you and your guest(s) to join our private delegation in Morocco on May 17-25, 2026.
 

Join our journey through the country's diverse food, music, customs, and architecture as well as a deep dive into the Moroccan legal and political system. Today Morocco is a thriving society embracing modernity and diversity. Our delegation will learn about Morocco's social fabric and political systems, rewarding the open-minded traveler with a better understanding of the nature of Islam, challenging many popular preconceptions from the western world.

 

For registration and detailed descriptions of pricing options and items included and not included, please refer to the program registration page.

 

Questions, inquiries or need assistance with registration? Contact CLE Abroad at team@cle-abroad.com or (858) 707-7887.

You are cordially invited to attend the 2026 Kentucky Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame dinner, to honor those who have made significant contributions to Kentucky's Workers' Compensation system during their distinguished careers. The dinner is being held on Thursday April 2, 2026, in conjunction with the UK Workers' Compensation Seminar being hosted at the Campbell House in Lexington on April 2 and April 3, 2026. Cocktails begin immediately after Thursday's seminar session from 5:30 P.M. and dinner begins at 6:30 P.M. Tickets for the dinner are $75.00 per person (Cash Bar). Seating is limited. Send payment and make checks out to the Kentucky Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame, 961 Chinoe Rd., Lexington, KY 40502. For further information contact any of the Hall of Fame committee members which include Tim Wilson, Dwight Lovan, Stephanie Wolfinbarger, Douglas U'Sellis, Chris Hutson, Mike Alvey, Robert Swisher or Gerald Vanover.

 

The Hall of Fame committee is pleased to announce the following list of inductees for the 2026 class: Ron Bruce, W. Bruce Cowden, Jr., Denise M. Davidson, Dr. Gregory E. Gleis*, Bonnie Hoskins, Denis S. Kline*, and Udell Barry "Dell" Levy*.

 

The Hall of Fame committee is seeking sponsors for Kentucky Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame with sponsorship levels of $1500, $1000 and $500. All net proceeds will be donated to Kid's Chance of Kentucky and all contributions are tax deductible as The Kentucky Workers' Hall of Fame is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) corporation. For more information regarding sponsorships contact Tim Wilson at twilson@wmkylaw.com or (859) 253-2373.

 

Make your reservations now as seating is limited. What a fitting way to honor those who have made significant contributions to the success of Kentucky's Workers' Compensation system.

 

*Denotes posthumous inductee

The KBA Knowledge Hub is a free, online library with downloadable content including white papers, webinars, product guides, case studies, industry analysis and more.

Browse the KBA Knowledge Hub Now!

The Young Lawyers Division invites you to celebrate someone who's made a difference in your professional life. For just $10, you can make a gift to the Kentucky Bar Foundation (KBF) in honor of a mentor, colleague, judge, or friend. Your honoree will receive a personalized e-card letting them know that a gift was made in their honor - and your donation will help support access to justice programs across Kentucky.

 

Step 1: Complete this short form.
Step 2: Send your $10 donation to the KBF Venmo account: @KYBARFOUNDATION.

 

(Be sure to include your name and your honoree's name in the Venmo memo line so we can match your gift!)

Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Time: 12:00 p.m., ET

Location: Zoom Webinar 

 Cost: $25

Romantic relationships, whether new, long-term, blended, or unconventional, have a profound impact on estate planning. This program examines how marriage, cohabitation, divorce, and remarriage affect wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and fiduciary obligations. Attendees will explore common pitfalls that arise when estate plans fail to reflect modern relationships and learn practical strategies to protect clients, reduce conflict, and honor intentions of all parties.

Register Now!

Join attorneys from across Kentucky for a one-day, in-person summit focused on leadership, professional growth, and connection. This inaugural event features engaging CLE programming, candid conversations with women leaders in law, and meaningful networking opportunities.

Date: Friday, March 6, 2026

Format:  In-Person

Location: The Campbell House, Lexington, Kentucky

Credits:   6 CLE Credits (including ethics)

Whether you're new to the profession or a seasoned practitioner, this summit offers inspiration, practical tools, and a supportive community to help you take the next step in your legal career.

Register Now!

Click Here for the RFP form to be completed and returned with the proposal(s).

The following is a list of session requirements and deadlines to keep in mind: 
 

• Proposal submission(s) due Friday, February 20, 2026
• Names and contact information for presenters due Friday, March 27, 2026
• Written materials due Friday, May 1, 2026

Below is a listing of jobs that are currently featured on the Kentucky Bar Association's Career Center page.

Featured Jobs more

• Case Manager  •  US Equestrian Federation  Lexington, KY 

• Report Intake and Operations Manager  •  US Equestrian Federation  Lexington, KY 

• Associate Attorney  •  Minner Vines Injury Lawyers
  Lexington, KY

The Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) does not endorse or recommend employers, and a posting does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. The KBA explicitly makes no representations or guarantees about job listings or the accuracy of the information provided by the employer.

Kentucky Bar Association

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The information contained in this email is intended to provide current and accurate information to readers. No representation or warranty is made concerning the application of legal or other principles discussed in the email to any specific fact situation, nor is any prediction made concerning how any particular judge or jury will interpret or apply such principles. Opinions expressed in content contained in this email do not reflect the opinions of the Kentucky Bar Association, its Board of Governors, Sections, Divisions, Committees or members. The Kentucky Bar Association disclaims liability therefor.