Bench & Bar May/June 2025

LAMBERT SWORN IN AS CHIEF

LAMBERT CHIEF JUSTICE FORMALLY SWORN IN AS HEAD OF KENTUCKY COURT SYSTEM BY JAMIE NEAL, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS

S urrounded by family, friends and dignitaries, Chief Justice of the Com monwealth Debra Hembree Lambert was ceremonially sworn in April 15 as the head of the Kentucky court system in the historic Supreme Court Courtroom at the Capitol. She recited the oath of office as her predecessor, Chief Justice Laurance B. Van Meter (ret.), swore her in. She is Kentucky’s seventh chief justice and first woman chief. Chief Justice Lambert reflected in her remarks on her upbringing in a small East ern Kentucky community, where her father owned a body shop and her mother was a nurse’s aide. She said her parents knew edu cation was the key to success and that she was led by their philosophy to “work hard, be joyful and be fearless.” “I shared with you a bit of who I am, and I wanted to bring that to you so you could see where my personal passion for people and justice developed,” she said. “When you grow up so modestly, you develop a strong sense of a need for a level playing field and for everyone to be heard. Those concepts are foundational in my worldview, and I hope you will be satisfied with my work per formed as chief justice. You are my people, and following the rule of law does give me joy and makes me fearless about what lies

ahead. I hope to serve you well. Thank you for your confidence in my humble service.” In addition to being the first female chief justice, Chief Justice Lambert is leading the first female-majority Supreme Court. “Being the first woman elected by my fellow justices as chief justice I suppose is notable, as we’ve all discussed today, and it’s especially nice to be a part of the first female-majority court,” Chief Justice Lam bert said during her remarks. She said she’d “never given much thought to gender.” “So I don’t think you can expect good or bad decisions that I might make as chief to be either clouded or enhanced by my double X chromosomes. They will simply be either good or bad decisions and carefully made, though.” Chief Justice Lambert provided an update on court system progress, including the Supreme Court’s upcoming move from the Capitol for construction, a new case man agement system vendor for the trial courts and Judicial Branch budget discussions with the Kentucky General Assembly.

Speakers at the investiture included Gov. Andy Beshear, Senate President Robert Stivers, House Speaker David W. Osborne, Circuit Judge Gregory A. Lay (Knox and Laurel counties) and her fellow justices. “I am honored to be here to recognize this historic moment for our commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “The Kentucky Supreme Court holds a special responsibility of not just upholding the law but sometimes defin ing it, and to do so without bias or favor to any person or to any party. Unlike offi cials in the other branches of government, our Kentucky Supreme Court justices are elected through nonpartisan contests. Because of that, the job of a top court jus tice is to move our commonwealth not to the left or the right but forward for all of our citizens. As the highest legal authority in our state, the Kentucky Supreme Court ensures clarity, uniformity and fairness. Our high court justices and the many people who support their important work make up the backbone of our democracy – the rule of law. This is the foundation of a functional system of government, one that’s designed to serve the people and not merely the powerful. Today this crucial institution welcomes a new leader and makes some history.”

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may/june 2025