Governor Ernie Fletcher Appoints Roach to Supreme Court

Governor Ernie Fletcher Appoints Roach to Supreme Court

General Counsel Also Worked As Employment/Civil Rights Lawyer

Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced the appointment of John Roach, general counsel to the Governor, to fill the vacancy in the Kentucky Supreme Court.

"John has the intellect, integrity and enthusiasm that I was looking for in a Supreme Court Justice," said Governor Fletcher, who announced the appointment at the Kentucky Bar Association's annual convention. "The people of Kentucky will be well-served by his commitment to the legal system and his passion for the law.

"John has a wealth of courtroom, appellate and Kentucky constitutional experience. It will serve him well in the years ahead."

Roach, Mary Noble and Roger Crittenden were selected by the Judicial Nominating Committee and referred to Governor Fletcher on May 16 for his review. "My interest in and dedication to the law will allow me the special opportunity to continue my public service in an area that I truly love," Roach said. "My diverse legal background in the rapidly developing and changing area of civil rights litigation will provide a unique perspective on Kentucky's highest court. I am honored that I have been called to serve."

Roach will fill the vacancy left by Justice James Keller, whose resignation was effective May 31. Roach, age 38, will face a special election in November 2006.

Roach spent seven years in Lexington as an employment and civil rights lawyer, representing women, African Americans and other victims of discrimination who had been subjected to workplace discrimination. In addition to a vigorous trial practice, Roach has argued cases before the Kentucky Supreme Court, the Kentucky Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.

A University of Kentucky College of Law graduate, Roach was among the top five in his class, received the highest faculty honor at graduation and clerked for a federal judge.

"Having worked with John on a daily basis, I have seen firsthand his extensive knowledge of the law," Governor Fletcher said. "He has worked on some of our commonwealth's most important cases, such as how to continue providing vital services to Kentucky families in the absence of a legislatively enacted budget.

"In addition, legal colleagues who worked with and against John - Republicans and Democrats alike - have proclaimed their support. It is a testimony to John that such diverse voices have joined together in support."

Letters of support came from Attorney General Greg Stumbo, U.S. Attorney Greg Van Tatenhove, former Secretary of State John Y. Brown III, former U.S. attorney Joseph Whittle and constitutional law expert Sheryl Snyder.

"In all my life's experiences, I can say that without a doubt, I have never met anyone better qualified to serve on Kentucky's Supreme Court than John C. Roach," Brown wrote.

Thomas P. Lewis, who is the former dean and professor emeritus of the UK College of Law and has argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, also sent a letter of support.

"John is one of the brightest, most engaging and articulate students I have had the pleasure of meeting in or out of the classroom," Lewis wrote. "…John has extensive experience as a practicing lawyer, direct exposure to the work of appellate judges through a clerkship with the Honorable Pierce Lively, Senior Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and ongoing involvement in governmental relations at the local and state levels."

Several people have served on the Kentucky Supreme Court without previous judicial experience, including Kentucky Chief Justice Joseph Lambert, who began serving on the Supreme Court at age 38; former Kentucky Chief Justice Robert Stephens; Walter Baker; and Sara Combs. U.S. Supreme Court Justices William Rehnquist and Earl Warren also served without previous judicial experience.

Roach, a native of Frankfort, lives in Lexington with his wife, Maria, and two children, Catherine and Bennett.

http://governor.ky.gov/mediaroom/pressreleases/050610roachappt.htm