Bench & Bar September/October 2026

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

WELCOME NEW NEW CLE COMMISSION MEMBER REPRESENTING THE SEVENTH SUPREME COURT DISTRICT Olivia H. Gilkison CLE Commiss

W E ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE the Kentucky Supreme Court’s new appoint ments to the Continuing Legal Education Commission. Olivia H. Gilkison will rep resent the Seventh Supreme Court District and Colton W. Givins will be the new chair of the Commission. The appointments became effective on July 1, 2026. The CLE Commission is made up of one attorney representative from each of the seven Supreme Court Districts. Each rep resentative is appointed by the Kentucky Supreme Court and volunteers his or her time in a spirit of public service with the goal of bettering the profession we have chosen. In addition to the seven attorney Commissioners, the KBA is fortunate enough to have Deputy Chief Justice Robert B. Conley serving as the Supreme Court Liaison to the KBA CLE Commission. The purpose of the CLE Commission is to administer and regulate all continuing legal education programs and activities of the KBA. This includes ensuring that the members of the KBA complete high qual ity, timely CLE programming each year. From developing and implementing rules and policies that ensure high standards in the accreditation of CLE programming, to developing and sponsoring quality programming, to regulating attorney com pliance with the mandatory minimum CLE requirements, the CLE Commission is continually working toward the increased competency of the legal profession in Kentucky.

Olivia is a native of Eastern Kentucky. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Pikeville, and her J.D. from Salmon P. Chase College of Law. After graduating, she began practicing at VanAntwerp Attor neys, LLP, in Ashland. The focus of her practice includes general civil practice, with litigation of medical malpractice, insurance defense, and residential and commercial real estate transactions, primarily in and throughout eastern Kentucky. In 2021, she was recognized as the Kentucky Defense Counsel Young Lawyer of the Year. Olivia was appointed to the IOLTA Board of Trustees in 2023 by the Board of Governors of the Kentucky Bar Association to represent the Seventh Supreme Court District and continued to serve on the IOLTA Board until 2026. Out

side of her law practice, Olivia is an active member of her community and involved in various organizations. She currently serves as the vice president for the High lands Museum & Discovery Center in

Ashland and also serves on the CLE Committee for Kentucky Defense Counsel. In addition, she helped coach Paul G. Blazer High School’s mock trial team from 2018 to 2024 and previously served as the speaker liaison vice chair for the DRI 2024 Senior Living Seminar. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys spending time with her hus band, Dakota, and her son, Rhett. She also enjoys cheering on the Cats!

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