Bench & Bar May/June 2025

PRESIDENT'S PAGE

WHERE DO WE GO NOW?

BY RHONDA JENNINGS BLACKBURN KBA PRESIDENT

A s this presidency closes (and another begins), I have been pondering how I got here and where I go from here? The Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) has been a huge part of my life for close to a decade. For the first 18 years of my legal career, I didn’t give much thought to the KBA. For me, it was merely an organization that I paid money to so I could practice law. I didn’t think about what the KBA could do for me or what I could do for the KBA. I suspect that this attitude is not unique. But approx imately 10 years ago, by chance, someone suggested that I run for bar governor. It sounded interesting, so I ran…and lost. I was disappointed but the seed had been planted and in the next election cycle, I ran again. I’m not sure what I expected from being a bar governor. Honestly, I figured that I would be treated as a “red-headed stepchild” because I was from Eastern Kentucky and would hate it. What I found was something quite different. I found a group of welcom ing attorneys who care very much about the lawyers of this Commonwealth, who always come to meetings well-prepared and ded icated to serving. As bar governors rotate off and newly elected bar governors join,

that consistent caring attitude and dedica tion never wavers. Each of these wonderful people are now great friends and I respect and admire each of them for their service. I found a staff who works very hard and very efficiently to make things run smoothly. There is always something in the works at the KBA to support its members. The KBA is run by the kindest, brightest, and most well-meaning people I have ever encoun tered, and the lawyers of Kentucky are lucky to have them in their corner. Serving as bar governor was also an educa tion into the work the KBA performs and programs it offers to support Kentucky attorneys. I have had the privilege of seeing the dedication of Kentucky Lawyer Assis tance Program and the substantial support available for those attorneys dealing with mental health and substance issues. I am proud of the work the KBA has done to pro vide a resource to obtain health insurance at competitive rates. Likewise, the efforts of the Continuing Legal Education staff to ensure quality programming at convention and the Kentucky Law Updates are impres sive. The provision of free legal software to all Kentucky attorneys is an amazing resource to every attorney. There are many more programs (check the website!) but these are the highlights of the services the KBA provides.

I did not want others to wait as long as I did to know about the benefits of the KBA and I want them to be used to their fullest extent. As my year as president came nearer, it became clear that my platform would be to promote these benefits. I have traveled thousands of miles all over this state to try and deliver the message. The theme of this year’s annual convention “Of Service” is an extension of this effort. The logo this year is representative of the burden a lawyer shoulders in representing the client. It’s important to know that the KBA is there to help shoulder this responsibility with sup portive programs and assistance. On this, the final president’s page, I want to express gratitude for this experience and hope that I have accomplished my mission in some way. It certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. I look forward to passing the gavel to our next president but I know that the KBA hasn’t seen the last of me. There are still ways to serve. I am still passionate about the KBA’s mission so they’re kind of stuck with me. Let’s see what kind of trouble I can get into next. PS: For the record (and if you know me, you know), our executive director didn’t believe that I could make it through the KLUs, numerous speeches, and these president’s pages without cursing so I win.

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may/june 2025