Published: July 03, 2008 10:16 pm            

Local longtime judges running for Supreme Court seat

Somerset — The two Pulaski Countains who have announced their hopes to hold that position include Judge Daniel J. Venters, who was formerly chief circuit judge for the 28th Judicial Circuit (Pulaski, Rockcastle and Lincoln counties) and current Pulaski Family Court (Pulaski and Rockcastle) who was a former 28th District Judge Walter F. Maguire.

The seat which will be filled will be the seat retiring Chief Justice Joseph Lambert has filled for many years.

Lambert retired last Friday.

Governor Steve Beshear will appoint someone from the state’s 3rd Supreme Court District to replace Lambert, a process that will take at least a month.

Then a special election will be held in November to decide who fills the remainder of Lambert’s term, which ends in 2010.

The election for that office will be held in November 2008 across the 27 counties which comprise the 3rd Supreme Court District.

Venters has served 24 years as a trial judge and nine years in law practice in practice in Somerset over the years, as he began his legal career in Somerset in 1975, as an assistant to then Commonwealth’s Attorney now Congressman Hal Rogers. Then in 1979, he began service as a district court judge and in 1983 was elected to the circuit court for the 28th Judicial Circuit, where he handled the highest caseload of any circuit judge in Kentucky for several years.

“My experience of over 24 years as a trial judge and nine years in law practice representing both plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases, and serving as a prosecutor and defense attorney in criminal cases, uniquely qualifies me to serve as a justice on Kentucky’s highest court,” said Venters.

Venters explained he has practiced before the United States Supreme Court, the Federal District Courts for both the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, as well as the state courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Now he currently serves as a member of the Kentucky Board of Bar Examiners and was recently elected to the Board of Governors of the Kentucky Bar Association.

Venters graduated from Ohio State University in 1972 and the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1975.

He is married to Jane Adams Venters, an attorney with he law firm of Adams & Venters in Somerset. He has three children and two step-children and two grandchildren with another on the way.

Meanwhile, after serving 22 years as a district judge, Maguire won the job of the Family Court Judge and has been serving in that position since January 2007.

Maguire said he decided he was interested in the position after several people called and asked if him about the seat.

“It’s an opportunity that developed that I had not planned for,” said Maguire, “ ... but an opportunity to move up and provide service at a higher level.”

Maguire not only has served as judge over the years, but has his teacher certification, has served as Associate Dean of Students at the University of Kentucky, spent a year as special assistant in criminal justice meetings with state legislature groups, worked for the attorney general, worked at the University of Kentucky as a personal grievance officer, as well serving as a congressional intern over the years.

Maguire was one of two to first run in the 28th Judicial District in 1977 and first elected.

After he was elected judge Maguire was beat once in 1981. He ran again after four years and won the judgeship back and then presided over the court for the next 18 years.

Maguire said he believes he could bring some balance and common sense to the court and said he believes he has demonstrated fairness and integrity over the years of his service.

“It seemed like a grand way to conclude my career if I had that opportunity,” said Maguire. “If not I feel privileged to be doing what I’ve been doing (serving as family court judge).”

Maguire said he understands a lot of fine people are thinking of running.

“I guess the good news is a lot of good people are running,” said Maguire.

Maguire will not look to be appointed, but will campaign for the position, but said he wouldn’t have a lot of time to do so.

“I’m in court almost every day, so campaigning will be very difficult,” he said.

Walter and his wife Jane have three children, Mary Susan, Ann Louise and Flip.

        

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