Bench & Bar November/December 2025

KENTUCKY BAR FOUNDATION

$ 25

, 000

KENTUCKY BAR FOUNDATION RECEIVES

GIFT FROM ATTORNEY

TO INSPIRE DONOR PARTICIPATION GEORGE E. MENG

T he Kentucky Bar Foundation (KBF) is honored to announce a generous $25,000 gift from attorney George E. Meng, which helped launch a challenge encour aging Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) members to keep the KBF voluntary contri bution box checked on their dues statement. His leadership gift inspired broad participa tion—including 100% participation by the law firms of Gray Ice Higdon, PLLC and McBrayer PLLC—and many others joined in support. “These types of leadership gifts are trans formative,” said Susan Duncan, Executive Director of the Kentucky Bar Foundation. “They not only provide critical funds to support our grantees but also inspire other attorneys to take part. When our colleagues see one person leading with generosity, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens the entire legal community.”

Mr. Meng has built a distinguished career as a trial lawyer in Southern Maryland, prac ticing in estate and trust litigation, probate, guardianship, and family law since 1973. A graduate of the Catholic University of America with both an engineering degree and a law degree, Meng’s career has been marked by innovation, service, and dedi cation to professional integrity. He has long been recognized for his skill in litigation, his technological leadership in the prac tice of law, and his commitment to helping colleagues through ethics and assistance programs. He continues in his 53 rd year of practice working remotely from Lexington to his office in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Reflecting on his gift, Mr. Meng said: “I believe in the power of the legal profession to make a difference, not only in the court room but in our communities. Supporting

the Kentucky Bar Foundation means sup porting access to justice and strengthening the integrity of our profession. I am proud that this challenge encouraged so many others to step forward.” The KBF relies on voluntary gifts from Ken tucky lawyers to fund grants that advance access to justice, law-related education, and the improvement of the legal system. Lead ership contributions such as Mr. Meng’s play a vital role in motivating others and ensuring that the Foundation can continue its mission of serving Kentuckians.

The Kentucky IOLTA Fund is proud to announce that it awarded grants totaling Kentucky IOLTA Fund Awards $ 1,560,000 in Grants $1,560,000 in September 2025. Kentucky’s four regional, civil legal aid organizations received a total of $1,500,000 and Kentucky’s three law schools received $20,000 each to fund student public service fellowships. The IOLTA Board of Trustees and staff thank the members of the Kentucky Bar Association and participating financial institutions for their continued support of the IOLTA program and the important role that it plays in providing legal aid and access to justice to Kentuckians. The Kentucky IOLTA Fund is a fund of The Kentucky Bar Foundation, Inc. and was established in 1986 by Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.830.

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