Bench & Bar January/February 2026

CLE COMMISSION MEMBERS 2025-2026

JENNIFER S. NELSON First District Representative jennifersnelsonlaw@outlook.com KELLY K. RIDINGS Third District Representative kridings@hmrkylaw.com FRANK K. TREMPER Sixth District Representative ftremper@arnzenlaw.com

COLTON W. GIVENS Second District Representative cgivens@kerricklaw.com MEGAN P. KEANE Fourth District Representative mkeane@grsm.com ROBERT STEPHEN MCGINNIS, CHAIR Seventh District Representative stephenmcginnis@mcginnisleslie.com

NEALY R. WILLIAMS Fifth District Representative nealy.williams@uky.edu JUSTICE ROBERT B. CONLEY Supreme Court Liaison

Front Row (left to right): Kelly K. Ridings, (3 rd SCD), Colton W. Givens (2 nd SCD), Megan P. Keane, (4 th SCD). Back Row (left to right): Jennifer S. Nelson (1 st SCD), Frank K. Tremper (6 th SCD), Justice Robert B. Conley (Supreme Court Liaison), Cassie H. Cooper (Director for CLE), Terri Marksbury (CLE Commission Paralegal).

• KBA CLE Portal – A searchable data base of approved programs • Local bar associations – Often host live events and ethics seminars • National providers such as ABA, NBI, AAJ, DRI, or Lawline THE KENTUCKY LAW UPDATE One of the most valuable benefits for Ken tucky attorneys is the Kentucky Law Update (KLU), offered by the KBA. This program allows attorneys to complete all CLE requirements for the bar year at no addi tional cost. Historically, attorneys attended two-day sessions in person at various loca tions across the state to take advantage of this benefit. Today, the KLU has evolved to meet the changing needs of the profession. Sessions are now available in multiple formats— in-person, virtual, and hybrid—providing attorneys with both the networking oppor tunities of live events and the flexibility of on-demand learning. PARTICIPATION TRENDS: THE IMPACT OF VIRTUAL ACCESS Recent data highlights how these options have influenced participation:

• 2019: 5,362 members attended in-per son KLUs statewide • 2020 & 2021: Fully remote format drove attendance to 8,485 and 7,500, respectively • 2022: Virtual attendance remained strong at 5,818, compared to 2,296 in-person • 2023: 5,777 members participated vir tually, while 2,230 attended in person • 2024: Virtual participation held steady at 5,167, with 2,312 attending in person These numbers clearly demonstrate that virtual access has significantly increased participation, enhancing the value of the KLU program for Kentucky attorneys. By embracing flexibility and innovation, the KBA ensures its members can meet their educational requirements in ways that best fit their professional and personal schedules. Whether attending a seminar in Louisville or logging into a webinar from home, Ken tucky attorneys have a wealth of options to meet their CLE requirements. The key is to

balance convenience with quality, ensuring that each credit hour contributes meaning fully to their legal practice.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR MEGAN P. KEANE is a partner at the law firm of Gordon Rees Scully & Man sukhani LLP. She is a member of the commercial litigation, construction, and professional

liability defense practice groups. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Louisville and her J.D. from the University of Lou isville Brandeis School of Law. Keane also attended the University of Missouri-Kan sas City School of Law’s summer abroad program, which held law classes in Ireland and Wales. Keane served on the KBA Young Lawyers Division from 2014 to 2023. She is also a former board member of the Ken tucky Bar Foundation and currently serves as a member of the Circuit Court Clerk Conduct Commission by appointment of former Chief Justice John D. Minton, Jr.

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