Bench & Bar January/February 2025

YLD SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL AWARDS • THE SERVICE TO YOUNG LAW YERS AWARD acknowledges a lawyer, non-lawyer, or organization for exceptional contributions to the professional and per sonal advancement and mentorship of young lawyers in Kentucky.

• THE NATHANIEL R. HARPER AWARD recognizes a person or organiza tion that has demonstrated a commitment to changing the face of the Kentucky Bar by encouraging the inclusion of women, minorities, persons with disabilities, LGBT individuals, as well as promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession by all unrepresented or underrepresented groups. • THE YOUNG LAWYER SERVICE TO COMMUNITY AWARD commends a member of the YLD for exemplary service to his or her community through volunteer ism, service to non-profit organizations, and/or pro bono legal representation. THE YLD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTED POSITIONS INCLUDE: • DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES: There are seven (7) District Representatives on the YLD Executive Committee, one from each Supreme Court district. Any YLD member in good standing is eligible to serve as a Dis trict Representative. • OFFICERS: The YLD Executive Com mittee includes three (3) Officers – Chair, Chair-Elect, and Vice Chair. The Vice Chair automatically moves into the role of Chair Elect, and the Chair-Elect automatically becomes the Chair. To be eligible for elec tion to Vice Chair, candidates must be a YLD member in good standing and have served on the YLD Executive Committee for at least one year. All dues-paying members of the YLD are eligible to vote in contested elections for District Representatives within their Supreme Court District and for YLD Offi cers. Ballots for contested elections will be emailed no later than March 15, 2025. Voting will close on April 1, 2025. For more information, please visit the YLD website at WWW.KYBAR.ORG/PAGE/ YLD and click on "About" and "YLD Lead ership Opportunities."

With the 2025 KBA Convention just five (5) months away, the Young Lawyers Division is seeking nominations for its annual awards to recognize exceptional contributions to the legal profession by both attorneys and organizations. If you know of a deserving recipient, please consider nominating them! Nominations are due by Friday, March 7th, 2025! The available awards are listed below: • THE OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD honors a Kentucky attorney who has excelled in the practice of law and community service. Any Ken tucky lawyer who, as of July 1, 2024, has been engaged in the practice of law for 10 or fewer years, or who is 40 years old or younger, is eligible for nomination. YLD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTION NOMINATIONS Are you a member of the YLD interested in becoming more involved with the KBA and contributing to the advancement of the legal profession in Kentucky? If so, we encourage you to submit your nomination for election to the position of YLD District Representative or YLD Officer. To be con sidered for election, all nominations must be submitted in writing to YLD Vice Chair, Christine Stanley, by 12:00am ET (Mid night) on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Nominations can be emailed to Mrs. Stanley at yldvicechair@kybar.org.

The 2025 YLD Annual Award recipients will be honored at the KBA Annual Conven tion (June 5, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky) during the Young Lawyers Division Lun cheon. If you have any questions or would like to nominate an individual or organi zation for an award, please email YLD Vice Chair, Christine Stanley at yldvicechair@ kybar.org. For more information, please visit the YLD website at www.kybar.org/ page/yld and click on “Projects” and “YLD Annual Awards.”

JOIN THE YLD! For young lawyers seeking to make a difference and build a rewarding career in Kentucky, the YLD offers a supportive network and a plat form for growth. Membership is open to Kentucky Bar Association members who are either 40 years old or younger or within their first ten years of practice, with a modest annual membership fee of $20. For inquiries about joining the YLD, participating in committees, or presenting programming, please reach out to me at yldchair@kybar. org or any member of the Execu tive Committee. We welcome your involvement and value the innova tive ideas of our members. For more information about the YLD, visit our website at WWW. KYBAR.ORG/PAGE/YLD . or check out our Facebook page for updates on activities, leadership, and opportunities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DONALD H. COMBS III lives with his wife Emily Combs in Pikeville, Ky.

He works for Pikeville Medical Center, Inc., as associate general counsel, where he assists with risk management, con tracts, and compliance. Prior to starting full time at the hospital, he was a profes sor at University of Pikeville, Coleman College of Business, where he taught primarily business law and finance. He still serves as an adjunct professor for the University, where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses.

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