Debra Hembree Lambert Named First Female Chief Justice of Kentucky Supreme Court

Lambert, currently the deputy chief justice, will begin her four-year term on January 6, succeeding Laurance B. VanMeter.

Lambert has over 17 years of judicial experience, including roles in family court and the state Court of Appeals
She was elected as a Supreme Court justice in 2018 and represents eastern, southern, and central Kentucky.
Lambert heads the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and has created the first drug court in her area.
Her background includes extensive volunteer work with at-risk children and families, as well as suicide prevention training.
Lambert holds degrees from Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky College of Law.