This year's featured speakers Include:

• Andrea Canning, award-winning Dateline NBC journalist
• Ian McDougall, LexisNexis executive and global voice on
  legal tech
• Scott Turow, #1 New York Times bestselling author and former prosecutor

In addition to the feature and spotlight speakers, and a wide range of CLE topics, we will be offering tracks at this year's convention.  One that might be of particular interest to you is our new AI Bootcamp, a curated CLE track designed to help you better understand, evaluate, and responsibly use artificial intelligence in your daily work. The AI Bootcamp track includes the following sessions: AI in the Practice of Law; Spotlight Presentation: LexisNexis' Ian McDougall; From Solo to Big Law: Implementing AI in Law Firms of Every Size; I, Lawyer: The (Ethical) Pros and Cons of Using Generative AI; and AI in Action: Exploring the Latest Tools for Law Firms.

  

Review the full lineup of CLE programs and register for the event at www.kybar.org/2026AC.

We have obtained a special room block at the Cincinnati Marriott RiverCenter for convention attendees. Book by May 9, 2026, to receive the discounted rate. After that, rooms are subject to availability and standard pricing-so early booking is encouraged.

  

Reservations require a credit card, and cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Click here for more information on price and how to reserve your room.

The Kentucky Bar Association is excited to announce the 2026 Distinguished Award Recipients. The following awards will be presented during our annual banquet to be held at our 2026 Annual Convention on June 11, in Covington at the Cincinnati Marriott RiverCenter. Join us in Covington to honor these outstanding attorneys.

Chief Justice's Special Service Award

Shawna Mitchell, Gray Hawk

    

Distinguished Judge Award

Judge Julie Reinhardt Ward, Newport

 

Distinguished Lawyer Award

Robert M. Hoffer, Ft. Mitchell

 

President's Special Service Award

Representative Stephanie A. Dietz, Edgewood

 

Bruce K. Davis Bar Service Award

Stephen D. Wolnitzek, Covington

 

Donated Legal Services Award

Adam M. Russell, Covington

 

Thomas B. Spain Award

Nichole Shelton, Louisville

Let's give a round of applause to our 2026 KBA Annual Convention sponsors! We appreciate the support that we have received from these law firms, organizations, businesses, and KBA sections, including our Platinum Sponsors, Lawyers Mutual of Kentucky and Selman Co.  

   

To view a complete list of our convention exhibitors and to review the exhibitor floor plan, click here.

The Supreme Court is considering amendments to the Rules of the Supreme Court and invites members of the Bar to submit written comments. Review the narrative summary of the proposed changes.  Comments may be sent to ruleamendments@kycourts.net.

   

The Supreme Court will discuss the proposed amendments during their Rules Hearing in June at the KBA Annual Convention.

The Supreme Court is considering amendments to the Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice and invites members of the Bar to submit written comments. A copy of the proposed amendments may be accessed here. Comments may be sent to ruleamendments@kycourts.net.

   

The Supreme Court will discuss the proposed amendments during their Rules Hearing in June at the KBA Annual Convention.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, Rule 83 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 57 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky hereby give public notice of the following:

   

The Joint Local Rules Commission for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky has recommended, and the District Court has authorized for release for a period of public comment through July 31, 2026, the adoption and revision of certain Joint Local Rules of Civil Practice and Joint Local Rules of Criminal Practice. Unless otherwise indicated, as seen in this Notice, underlined text is added and struck text is deleted in rules to be amended. The proposed new rules and revisions can be reviewed, here.

Bluegrass Crime Stoppers is currently seeking applicants for a board position as their attorney, preferably a civil attorney with experience in contract law. The designated member will serve as the organization's legal advisor, assisting with contract and agreement review, as well as providing guidance on updates to bylaws and operating agreements. This position also includes participation on the executive committee. For more information on this position and how to apply, click here.

In April, the AOC released several new and revised legal forms relating to Small Claims and Guardianship. 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.

Susan Stokley Clary, former longtime clerk of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, was honored at the court's Law Day 2026 event for her distinguished career and lasting contributions to the commonwealth's judicial system. Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert presented the award after Clary delivered the Law Day keynote speech at the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort on Friday, April 24th.  Read the full news release, here.

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

This year promises to be a historic milestone for our legal community. We are on track to set a new record for grants distributed, directly impacting lives across the Commonwealth. Join us as we celebrate this momentous achievement, recognize six new Major Donors, and honor our dedicated Life Fellows.

 

It is a unique opportunity to witness the charitable heart of the bar in action. Please save the date! You won't want to miss this inspiring afternoon of fellowship and philanthropy.

Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Time: 12:00 p.m., ET

CLE: 1 CLE Credit

Location: Live Zoom Webinar

 Cost: $25

The 2026 Kentucky legislative session has brought important changes that will impact attorneys across multiple practice areas. In this program, presenter Trey Grayson will provide a practical overview of key new laws and their real-world implications for civil and criminal practice, attorney regulation, administrative law, and more.

 

Designed for busy practitioners, this session goes beyond summaries to highlight what has changed, what to watch for, and how to adjust your practice moving forward. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the most significant legislative developments-and what they need to do about them.

2026 Dates and Locations

August 27

Owensboro

Owensboro Convention Center

   

September 10

Paducah

Paducah McCracken County Convention & Expo Center

 

October 22

Bowling Green

Sloan Convention Center

   

November 5

Pikeville

Overlook Events Center

   
December 3

London

London Community Center

 

September 3

Covington

Northern Kentucky Convention Center

 

September 24

 Ashland

Delta Marriott Downtown

   

 October 29

Lexington

Central Bank Center

   

November 19

Louisville

Kentucky International Convention Center

 

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

Featured Jobs more

• Temporary Pro Se Law Clerk  •  United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky   KY 

• Staff Attorney •  Kentucky Legal Aid  Bowling Green , KY

• Staff Attorney  •  Kentucky Legal Aid  Bowling Green, KY | Hopkinsville, KY

• Attorney/Lawyer - Offices in Fort Wayne, IN, Lexington, KY, and Omaha, NE  •  Stange Law Firm, PC  Fort Wayne, IN | Lexington, KY | Omaha, NE

• Criminal Defense Attorney  •  Hitch Defense Attorneys

   Bowling Green, KY | Covington, KY | Lexington. KY | Louisville, KY | Owensboro, KY

• Kentucky Foreclosure Attorney - Remote  •  Lender Legal PLLC  KY 

• Associate Attorney  •  Springer Law Firm, PLLC

  Madisonville, 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

514 W. Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40601

 

SCR 3.035 requires that all active members of the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) maintain a valid email address with the director. This email address may be the sole means of communication of certain notices from the KBA to its members. If you wish to stop receiving emails from the KBA, you can unsubscribe at your own risk by clicking here.

 

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.