Bench & Bar September/October 2025

Q&A WITH CHIEF JUSTICE

legislative and executive branch members; representatives of the business and legal communities; representatives of founda tions or organizations with a substantial interest in mental health matters; and other state and local leaders who have demon strated a commitment to mental health matters affecting Kentuckians. Mental health and substance use disorders are often primary drivers of Family Court and Criminal Court matters, and members of the legal profession play many parts in the process: advocate; guardian; mediator; confidant and decisionmaker. It is often through the judicial process that previously undiagnosed mental health conditions are discovered, and treatment can finally be accessed. Members of the legal profession should educate themselves to recognize the hall marks of mental health and substance use disorders and respond effectively, given their role in the process. Attorneys can reassure clients and help direct them to appropriate treatment. Because attorneys are often considered trusted advisors in their community, it is very important

what was then called a Family Drug Court to try to reunify families separated by drug use. I also volunteered many hours in an in-school truancy prevention program. It was those special court programs that I missed most when my term ended. In my current role as Chief Justice, I hope to help create a Judge-led, truancy prevention pro gram that can be implemented by Judges in their local district, in cooperation with local schools. I also enjoyed my time on the Court of Appeals and being able to focus on the broader review of the work of the Trial Court below. I well understand that Trial Judges have very little time in comparison to consider their decisions. It felt almost luxurious to be able to ponder something for days before I decided whether the Trial Judge made the correct call under pres sure! Appellate Judges with trial experience understand the luxury of that difference. And I do know that each bankers’ box of appellate record is filled with controversies that mean much to the litigants and some times have broader ramifications across many lanes of life.

for attorneys to know what resources are available. If unsure and a client is in crisis, anyone may quickly get information about mental health treatment by calling 988, the national mental health number. Kentucky’s 988 number is managed within the state, regionally, and the operators can provide useful information in times of great need. Before serving on the Supreme Court, you served as a Family Court Judge and on the Court of Appeals. What were the partic ular challenges of each position and what did you enjoy the most about serving in those positions? I loved being a Family Court Judge but was the first to serve in that role in that juris diction. Though no one realized it at the time the new court was created, the case load was overwhelming. There are now two Family Court Judges doing the same work I did. So obviously, caseload was a big problem. But, even still, I was able to start the first Drug Court in the area, a Juvenile Drug Court, and, shortly thereafter, started

Photo by Mark Cornelison.

10 september/october 2025