December Meeting Cancellation

Our December meeting has been cancelled due to the proximity of our regular meeting date to the Christmas holiday.  

We will look forward to our next meeting on January 18, 2016.

Job Posting for Staff Attorney

We have received notice from Hon. James T. Jameson, Circuit Judge of Marshall and Calloway counties, that he is in the process of accepting applications for a staff attorney position.  Please follow the below link for more information on the job posting: http://kcoj.kycourts.net/PublicJobPosting/

Holiday Related Cancellations In McCracken Family Court And Announcement Concerning Upcoming Meeting For Family Court Practitioners

We have been informed by Judge Henschel's office that all dockets in McCracken Family Court scheduled for November 26-27, 2015, and December 8, 2015, and December 24, 2015 through January 1, 2016, have been cancelled due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and also due to the closing of the Judicial Branch for gubernatorial inauguration ceremonies.

We also have the following message from Judge Henschel:

Dear Bar Association:

I will hold a short meeting on November  24, 2015 at 2:00p.m., or as soon as Motion Hour is over, for attorneys that regularly practice in Family Court.  I am excited to share a few ideas and eager to hear your suggestions about our Family Court.

I have had a full and exciting first month  as your new Family Court Judge. I am grateful for the amount  of support I have received from our Bar and hope to serve you all for many years to come.

Judge Deanna Wise Henschel

November Meeting

Our regular lunch meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2015, at 12:00 p.m., at Tribeca, located at 127 Market House Square.  The price of the lunch is $12.50 (including tax and gratuity).  Please bring either cash or a check made payable to “McCracken County Bar Association.”

Rob Goff of the law firm Keuler, Kelly, Hutchins & Blankenship, LLP will be our speaker.  The topic will be “Estate Planning Without Thinking: Joint, POD and TOD Accounts and Other Beneficiary Designations.”  We are seeking CLE approval from the Kentucky Bar Association for this program.   

Please RSVP to belinda@ml-lawfirm.com by noon on Friday, November 13, 2015, so that we can provide an accurate lunch count to Tribeca.

McCracken County Domestic Relations Clinic

We received the following announcement from Kentucky Legal Aid:

In June this year, the Kentucky Bar Foundation provided a grant to assist low income individuals with family law issues in McCracken, Davies, and Warren counties.  Members of each local Bar Association donate their time to meet, one on one, with clinic participants to provide advice concerning family law and the rules and procedures of family court. One clinic was conducted on September 17, 2015. Sixteen (16) low-income individuals were assisted at the September Clinic.

The McCracken County Bar Association previously received a grant to conduct domestic relations clinics in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, 115 indigent persons received assistance though this program. The Clinic demonstrates that the legal community is genuinely dedicated to educating the public concerning legal issues, and to insuring access to justice to those who cannot afford the services of private counsel.  The McCracken County  Domestic Relations Clinic is a success thanks to the generosity of Kentucky Bar Foundation and the McCracken County legal community.

The Clinic is held at the McCracken County Public Library.  Dates and times of upcoming clinics are: 

November 10, 2015, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

January 19, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

March 15, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

May 17, 2016, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Attorneys interested in volunteering at the Clinic may call (270-442-5518) or e-mail  Lawyers Care Pro Bono Coordinator, Leslie Ballard lballard@klaid.org or nbash@klaid.org.  Attorneys will find it to be a rewarding experience

Schedule Change Concerning Date of Arraignments in McCracken Circuit Court

We have been informed by the McCracken Circuit Court that, due to the Veteran's Day holiday, and the resulting difficulty in preparing an arraignment docket for the following day, that the date for arraignments previously scheduled for November 12, 2015, has been changed to November 13, 2015, remaining at 8:30 a.m.

KBA President's Reception - Paducah KLU - October 27

Please see the following announcement from the district bar governors concerning the upcoming reception in conjunction with the Kentucky Law Update:

Dear Colleagues,

With the upcoming Kentucky Law Update scheduled for October 28-29 in Paducah, Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) President Douglass Farnsley would like to invite you to attend a reception with the other local bar officers, former KBA bar presidents and Board of Governors’ representatives in the region to continue the efforts of the KBA’s local bar outreach program in seeking input on how the Association can better serve the attorneys in Kentucky.

We hope that you will be able to join us for a reception planned for, Tuesday, October 27, 2015, beginning at 5:30 p.m., CDT., at Shandies, 202 Broadway St in Paducah.  Please reply to MBlackwell@kybar.org to let us know if you can attend on or before Friday, October 23^rd.

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you on October 27^th.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Bar Governor Michael Pitman

mike@haverstocklaw.com

Bar Governor Fletcher Schrock

fletch@ml-lawfirm.com

Appointment of New Family Court Judge for McCracken County

Gov. Steve Beshear has appointed Deanna Wise Henschel of Paducah as the Family Court judge for McCracken County.   Family Court is a division of Circuit Court.  In counties that have a Family Court, the court has primary jurisdiction in cases involving family issues, including divorces, adoption, child support, domestic violence and juvenile status offenses.  For more information, please read the press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts by clicking here . 

October 2015 Meeting

Our lunch meeting will be at a special location for October 2015.  This month’s lunch meeting will be Monday, October 19, 2015, at 12:00 p.m., at the United States Courthouse, located at 501 Broadway, Paducah, Kentucky 42001.  The Court will be providing complimentary pizza and drinks.

Hon. Thomas B. Russell, Senior District Judge, United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, will be our speaker.  The topic will be "Proposed Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure." 

Please RSVP to AmberBarrett@ml-lawfirm.com prior to the close of business on Thursday, October 15, 2015, so that we can provide an accurate lunch count to Judge Russell’s office.

McCracken Circuit Court Motion Hour Cancelled Dec. 11, 2015

We have been informed that due to the Court's attendance at continued judicial education the second week of December, 2015, that both the Criminal Motion Hour and the Civil Motion Hour for the McCracken Circuit Court have been cancelled for December 11, 2015.

KBA Young Lawyers Division Social Event

The Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division is hosting a social event after day two of the Paducah KLU. It will be on Thursday, October 29, from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm. It will be at JPs Bar & Grill. There will be an open bar and appetizers (spinach & artichoke dip, hummus, bruschetta, and chips & salsa). Everyone is welcome. You do not have to be a “young lawyer” to attend. It is sponsored by LMICK and the YLD. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact Ashley Wiggins ( ashley@alfordlawoffice.com ). 

Motion Hour Cancellations For Upcoming Holidays

Due to the closing of the McCracken County Courthouse on November 27, 2015 (Thanksgiving) and December 25, 2015 (Christmas), we have been informed by Judge Clymer that both the Criminal Motion Hour and the Civil Motion Hour for November 27, 2015, and for December 25, 2015, have been cancelled.

MCBA Member Participation in Domestic Relations Clinic

Thanks to attorneys Mark Ashburn, David Wrinkle, Joe Roark, Jeff Alford, and Austin Kennedy who generously volunteered their time to assist low-income individuals at the McCracken County Domestic Relations Clinic on September 17, 2015.  Also thanks to Mark Bryant who also participated but is not pictured here.

Domestic Relations Clinic

We have received the following message from Natalie Bash, Managing Attorney at Kentucky Legal Aid:

In June this year, the Kentucky Bar Foundation provided a grant to assist low income individuals with family law issues in McCracken, Davies, and Warren counties.  Members of each local Bar Association donate their time to meet, one on one, with clinic participants to provide advice concerning family law and the rules and procedures of family court. One clinic was conducted on July 17, 2015. Thirteen (13) low-income individuals were assisted at the July Clinic.

The McCracken County Bar Association previously received a grant to conduct domestic relations clinics in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, 115 indigent persons received assistance though this program. The Clinic demonstrates that the legal community is genuinely dedicated to educating the public concerning legal issues, and to insuring access to justice to those who cannot afford the services of private counsel.  The McCracken County Domestic Relations Clinic is a success thanks to the generosity of Kentucky Bar Foundation and the McCracken County legal community.

Attorneys interested in volunteering at the Clinic may call (270-442-5518) or e-mail  Lawyers Care Pro Bono Coordinator, Leslie Ballard lballard@klaid.org or me  nbash@klaid.org . Attorneys will find it to be a rewarding experience.

September Meeting

Our regular lunch meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2015, at 12:00 p.m., at Tribeca, located at 127 Market House Square.  The price of the lunch is $12.50 (including tax and gratuity).  Please bring either cash or a check made payable to “McCracken County Bar Association.”

Hon. Tony Kitchen, Judge, McCracken District Court, will be our speaker.  The topic will be “District Court Operations and Best Practices.” 

Please RSVP to belinda@ml-lawfirm.com by noon on Friday, September 18, 2015, so that we can provide an accurate lunch count to Tribeca.

MCBA Dues: Please Pay By October 15, 2015

The deadline for the payment of dues to the McCracken County Bar Association will be October 15, 2015. Dues will, once again, be $30.00, and checks may be made payable to the “McCracken County Bar Association.” If you would like to mail your payments this year, please send them to the McCracken County Bar Association’s mailing address, which is:

McCracken County Bar Association

P.O. Box 1412

Paducah, KY 42002-1412

Retirement Reception for Family Court Judge Hon. Cynthia E. Sanderson

Please be advised that a retirement reception will be held for Judge Cynthia E. Sanderson on Monday, September 14, 2015, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in Courtroom E of the McCracken County Courthouse.

DNA Training In Madisonville August 24, 2015

The AOC will conduct the Legal Training for Dependency, Neglect and Abuse program (formally titled GAL training) in one location in August 24, 2015.  The trainings will take place in Hopkins County.  The basic training has been approved for 6.25 hours of CLE by the KBA and 6.25 hours CLE for Kentucky Judges.  This training meets the criteria outlined by many local rules to the Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice allowing attorneys to serve in Kentucky. Individuals invited to attend include Guardians ad litem (GAL), parents’ attorneys, supervisors and caseworkers for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), volunteers for the Citizen Foster Care Review Board, volunteers with KY Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), as well as any others interested in the program. Additional information can be found at:  http://courts.ky.gov/courtprograms/Pages/dna.aspx

Additional Times for MCBA Photography Sessions

Due to high demand, Gene Boaz Photography will have additional portrait sessions on Friday afternoon, August 7, 2015, at the Grand Jury Room in the McCracken County Courthouse.  These individual attorney portraits will be included in a composite photo of the McCracken County Bar Association.  These photography sessions are limited to bar association members only.  You still need to reserve a time for your photo session.  Please contact Amber Barrett to reserve your photo time at 270-443-6511.  If you are unable to be at the above photo session then please contact Gene Boaz Photography directly (270-554-2642) in order to make alternate arrangements.

Follow Up Regarding the 21^st Annual United Way 5K Run

Aimee Clymer-Hancock has requested that we forward the following message concerning the MCBA’s participation in the upcoming United Way 5K Run:

Dear fellow McCracken County Bar Association members,

At our last meeting the Bar Association voted to once again serve as a co-sponsor for the 21st Annual United Way 5K run. The run is being held Saturday, September 26, 2015.

With our sponsorship the MCBA is entitled to enter a team of three runners.  I am e-mailing you to enlist runners for the remaining two team openings.  If you are interested in running on behalf of the MCBA please e-mail me directly at aimeekclymer@yahoo.com . I will forward the names of the first two acceptances I receive to Mr. Kerry Smith to notify him that the MCBA team has been established.

I look forward to running with you on behalf of the McCracken County Bar Association as we support the good work of the United Way.

Kindest Regards,

Aimee Clymer-Hancock

August 2015 Meeting

Our regular lunch meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2015, at 12:00 p.m., at Tribeca, located at 127 Market House Square.  The price of the lunch is $12.50 (including tax and gratuity).  Please bring either cash or a check made payable to “McCracken County Bar Association.”

Hon. Chris Hollowell, Judge, McCracken District Court, will be our speaker.  The topic will be “An Overview of the McCracken County Misdemeanor Drug Court Program.”

This program has been approved by the Kentucky Bar Association for a one-half hour Continuing Legal Education credit.  

Please RSVP to belinda@ml-lawfirm.com by noon on Friday, August 14, 2015, so that we can provide an accurate lunch count to Tribeca.

Last Opportunity to be Included in MCBA Composite Photo

Gene Boaz Photography will be taking individual attorney portraits to be included in a composite photo of the McCracken County Bar Association.  These photography sessions are limited to bar association members only.  You will also have the option to order your own package of individual photos.  Gene Boaz Photography will set up in the grand jury room at the McCracken County Courthouse this Friday August 7 beginning at 9:00 a.m.  You will need to reserve a time for your photo session.  Please contact Amber Barrett to reserve your photo time at 270-443-6511.  If you are unable to be at the above photo session then please contact Gene Boaz Photography directly (270-554-2642) in order to make alternate arrangements.

Submission of VS 300 Forms

The McCracken Circuit Clerk’s Office has requested that we inform you that the VS 300 form for divorce cases must be printed on high quality watermark paper rather than ordinary copy paper.  The Office of Vital Statistics, has been returning submissions of VS 300 forms made on ordinary copy paper.

July Meeting

Our regular lunch meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2015, at 12:00 p.m., at Tribeca, located at 127 Market House Square.  The price of the lunch is $12.50 (including tax and gratuity).  Please bring either cash or a check made payable to “McCracken County Bar Association.”

Hon. Craig Z. Clymer, Judge, McCracken Circuit Court, Division No. II, will be our speaker.  The topic will be Ancient Laws and Customs.  This program has been approved by the Kentucky Bar Association for a one-half hour CLE credit.  Judge Clymer describes the program:

It is entitled “Ancient Laws and Customs”.  We begin with the Code of Hammurabi 2285  B.C. and end with the redefinition of marriage this past June.  Forty five hundred years of law in the time it takes you to eat a cheeseburger!  Topics are:  marriage laws and customs; witchcraft and sorcery; judicial independence; trial by battle, by ordeal, by torture, and by compurgation.  The goal is for lawyers to examine from where we came, so that we can better understand where we are, and where we will be.  William Knox wrote: “For we are the same that our fathers have been.”  Had we lived in the dark days we would have viewed these customs and laws as did our forefathers, and viewed them just.

These ancient laws are shocking to us today.  Will today’s laws be shocking when viewed from the distant future?

Please RSVP to belinda@ml-lawfirm.com by Friday, July 17, 2015, so that we can provide an accurate lunch count to Tribeca.

Retirement Reception for Marshall Circuit Judge Dennis Foust

A retirement reception for Marshall Circuit Judge Dennis Foust will be held this Friday, July 10, 2015, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. in the Marshall Circuit Courtroom.  All McCracken County Bar members are invited to attend.

MCBA Attorney Portraits

Gene Boaz Photography will be taking individual attorney portraits of bar association members to be included in a composite photo of the McCracken County Bar Association.  You will also have the option to order your own photo package of individual photos for your use.  Gene Boaz Photography will set up in the grand jury room at the McCracken County Courthouse on July 17 and on August 7 beginning at 9:00 a.m. each day.  You will need to reserve a time for your photo session.  Please contact Amber Barrett or Cheryl Thweatt at McMurry & Livingston, PLLC to reserve your photo time at 270-443-6511.

Cancellation of Motion Hour on July 17, 2015

We have been informed by Judge Kaltenbach's office that McCracken Circuit Court Division No. I Civil and Criminal Motion Hours will be cancelled on July 17, 2015.

MCBA Ethics Seminar June 23, 2015

Pete Gullett of Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company of Kentucky [“LMICK’] will be presenting a two hour ethics CLE on June 23, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the West Kentucky Community & Technical College [“WKCTC”] Emerging Technology Center, Room 109.  Refreshments will be provided by Paducah Bank’s Trust Department.  You can learn more about Mr. Gullett’s presentation by clicking here.

2015 KBA Convention in Lexington

The Kentucky Bar Association Annual Convention is June 17-19, 2015, in Lexington.  You can find more information by clicking here.  This year’s theme is “Justice for All: Securing Access in a Diverse Society.”