Bench & Bar January/February 2025

KENTUCKY BAR FOUNDATION

KENTUCKY BAR FOUNDATION HONORS W. David Denton

The Kentucky Bar Foundation hosted its 8 th Annual Judge Edward H. Johnstone Award fundraising dinner, attended by more than 200 attorneys, judges, and com munity members on November 19, 2024, in Paducah. The event raised $53,000 with pro ceeds going towards grants for law-related organizations and projects throughout the Commonwealth. The Bar Foundation hon ored attorney W. David Denton of Paducah with the Judge Edward H. Johnstone Award for his commitment to public service, his work to build the public’s trust in the justice system, and his efforts to improve access to justice for all people, regardless of income level or background. The honoree, W. David Denton, a native of Somerset, Kentucky, has been a prominent legal and civic leader in Paducah for over five decades. After graduating from Murray State Univer sity and serving as an Army Officer in Korea, he earned his law degree from UK College of Law. He then moved to Paducah to join Reed, Scent and Walton, quickly establishing his own successful practice. Throughout his 50-year legal career, Denton has tried numerous criminal and civil cases in state and federal courts and served as a special justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court. Denton's extensive civic leadership includes chairing the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Paducah Eco nomic Development, and serving on numerous boards including the Ken tucky Council on Higher Education

Left to right: Joe Framptom, Ben Chandler, David Denton, Bill Cunningham

and Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission. His accolades include the City of Paducah's Dis tinguished Citizen Award (2002), Rotarian of the Year (2007), induction into the UK College of Law Hall of Fame (2014), and the Leadership Paducah Alumni Association Award (2023). As a business leader, Denton has founded, managed, and directed several successful ventures, including Charter Hospital, Turner Publishing, Paducah Bank Shares, and multiple real estate development companies. He also led the fundraising and formation of the UK College of Engineering at the WKCTC Paducah Campus, which has now been offering degrees for over 25 years. Mar ried to Ann Denton for over 50 years, he has two children, Glenn (Heather) and Matt (Aleta), and two grandchildren, Will and Grace.

Justice Bill Cunningham (L) presents the Judge Edward H. Johnstone award to W. David Denton (R).

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