Bench & Bar September/October 2026

Pete served as the Chair of the KYLAP Commission and since 2014 also Chaired the KYLAP Foundation. He has mentored every KYLAP Director during their own terms of service. He wasn’t a figurehead, but a genuine leader. He was indispensable. In 2013, Pete was recognized nationally for his many contributions when he was presented with the ABA’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs’ Jack Keegan Award for his distinguished efforts sup porting KYLAP. He was only the second recipient of this national award.

Pete in court, subjected to the twin igno minies of being outmaneuvered legally and dismissed by the jury for disagreeing with such a transparently nice and prosocial advocate. We’ll never know what were the true depths of Pete’s humility. This is not because we ever saw him swaggering about in gover nance circles, trading on his authority to score points. Rather, this is because we quite simply cannot recall him being defeated in an argument. Looking back, we’re glad he

Hazard attorney, current KYLAP Commis sioner, and former Chair of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee, James D. Hol liday was Pete’s first cousin. Pete was a part of his family. They grew up together and spent countless hours together as children and adults. They practiced law together and worked on many cases together over a span of 50 years. Holliday observed that Pete had deep empathy. He was an Eagle Scout and brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. One of the Scout laws tells us to be kind, and Pete was that. The Order of the Arrow is about being a part of “a brotherhood of cheerful service” and Pete embraced service. He served his community as a school board member, the Bar Association as a Governor, and KYLAP as Chairman of the KYLAP Commission. Pete always displayed genuine humility. He listened and took everyone’s stance seriously. Reliability was a given with Pete. If he told you he would do something, you could mark it down. Pete had an infectious calm about him. He could defuse turmoil and always had a way forward through stormy times. Lastly, he was one of those special few who had both a high IQ and a high EQ. He was one of the smartest people any of us ever knew but also had enormous common sense. Most folks only have one of these and some don’t have either. Pete was that rare soul who was blessed with both. Pete’s observations and take on life were not just extraordinary, he shared them in such a way as to contribute to the wellbeing of everyone he came in contact with. We will miss our frequent talks and Pete’s sage advice. He was the real deal. He was our heartbeat. His loss is immeasurable.

didn’t throw some of us a few victories to make us feel better. “Patronizing” is safely off the list. Pete’s contributions to public service always went toward the need instead of the spot

HE HAD GENUINE CONCERN AND EMPATHY FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED – EVEN THOUGH HE DID NOT HAVE THAT LIVED EXPERIENCE. PETE ALWAYS JUST GOT IT.

light. Then, once he arrived, he stuck around and dedicated himself to developing the skills of others instead of accruing power and influence for himself. This focused stewardship is what rescued us from our initial sense of panic when we learned Pete was gone—because he never would have left those entities in a position to fail. In a word, Pete cared. His expressions of concern were in no way limited to the specific pile of committee business we had before us. We recall one meeting in particular during which Pete commented, out of the blue, on the emotional suffering occasioned by conflicts within family-held businesses. He wanted to know how law yers and doctors could help these persons. Given more time, Pete would have figured it out. It takes a very special person not afflicted with the various maladies of alcoholism, addiction and/or other mental health issues, to spend so much time and effort to assist those who do suffer. Pete was such a person. He had genuine concern and empa thy for those who suffered – even though he did not have that lived experience. Pete always just got it.

Decades of his love and service helped preserve KYLAP’s community spirit while supporting its growth into a broad-based resource and flagship program. Pete helped lawyers all over the state, all the time, all his life. And in the most expansive and inclu sive sense of the phrase and in the highest and best traditions of the profession he was “a lawyer’s lawyer.” Because of Pete, we’re better members of our profession and society. This is not an instance in which we remark on the nature of a departed colleague, only to discover that he was a different person to all of us. One of the most striking aspects of Pete’s outward demeanor was its consistency. He was the same patient, thoughtful, and generous individual with everyone he met. This was every bit as true in social gatherings as it was in professional meetings. If forced to identify the most compelling element of Pete’s personality, it would be kindness. It surfaced in every form of communication, including scholarly debate, administrative planning, and career advice. We collectively express our gratitude that we never wound up on the other side from

ENDNOTES 1 https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ken tucky/name/asa-gullett-obituary?id=62193251

51 bench & bar