CREDIT COURIER-JOURNAL.COM

Kentucky’s Chief Justice has been selected to head two national judicial groups.  It’s the first time in a quarter century that a head jurist from the Commonwealth has held either of these posts.

Chief Justice John Minton is beginning a one year stint as president of the Conference of Chief Justices as well as being chair the National Center for State Courts Board of Directors.

The only other justice of Kentucky’s highest court to serve as CCJ president was the late Robert F. Stephens who led the national group in the early 1990’s.  The Conference of Chief Justices promotes the interests of state judicial systems by developing policies and educational programs aimed at improving court operations.

It also acts as the primary representative of the state courts before Congress and federal agencies.  Justice Minton was first elected to the state supreme court in 2006 and re-elected in 20-14.