Kentucky Court of Appeals
The Kentucky Court of Appeals is an intermediate appellate court in Kentucky, the tier between the state's trial courts and the Supreme Court of Kentucky. Its judges are chosen by nonpartisan election, the same method Kentucky uses for its court of last resort. This page lists every judge to serve on the court, current and former.
| Judge | Since |
|---|---|
| Ira Smith | 1965 |
| Stephen White | 1970 |
| Tom Emberton | 1989 |
| Laurance Vanmeter | 2004 |
| Glenn Acree | 2006 |
| Donna L. Dixon | 2006 |
| Kelly Thompson | 2006 |
| Michael Caperton | 2007 |
| Denise Clayton | 2007 |
| Joy Moore | 2007 |
| Allison Jones | 2013 |
| Lisabeth Hughes Abramson | 2014 |
| Judge | Years |
|---|---|
| Michelle M. Keller | 2006–2013 |
| James H. Lambert | 2006–2009 |
| Shea Nickell | 2006–2008 |
| John D. Minton Jr. | 2003–2006 |
| Jeff S. Taylor | 2003–2011 |
| David A. Barber | 2000–2007 |
| James G. Shaw | 2000–2009 |
| William E. McAnulty Jr. | 1998–2006 |
| Joseph R. Huddleston | 1991–2003 |
| Wil Schroder | 1991–2006 |
| Janet Stumbo | 1989–1993 |
| Dan Jack Combs | 1983–1988 |
| William Milton Gant | 1976–1983 |
| James William Howerton | 1976–1996 |
| Robert O. Lukowsky | 1975–1976 |
| Roy N. Vance | 1970–1982 |
| James Park | 1969–1974 |
| Scott Reed | 1969–1975 |
| James Chenault | 1967–1993 |
| Samuel S. Steinfeld | 1966–1972 |
| Frederick Warren | 1965–1974 |
| John Breslin | 1964–1968 |
| John Jacob Winn | 1964–2002 |
| John S. Palmore | 1959–1982 |
| Astor Hogg | 1955–1957 |
| Parker Duncan | 1952–1954 |
| James B. Milliken | 1951–1975 |
| Drury Count | 1934–1936 |
How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Kentucky Court of Appeals are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 8-year terms. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any judge to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.
Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).