McNeill Sworn In as Newest Court of Appeals Judge

A Paducah attorney has been sworn in as the newest member of the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

In a ceremony Friday morning, Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. administered the oath of office to Chris McNeill, who was appointed by Governor Andy Beshear last week to serve the Commonwealth's 1st Appellate District. The ceremony was conducted via Zoom due to social distancing guidelines.

McNeill succeeds Justice Christopher Shea Nickell, who was elected to the Supreme Court of Kentucky in the November general election. His term was set to expire in 2023.  

McNeill has served with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy for 19 years. He has been a directing attorney since 2003, managing the department's Paducah trial office with primary coverage in six area counties. He received his juris doctor from Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

"If we were in the courtroom there would be a round of applause, which I'm sure is going on all around the state and the country right now for those who are friends and supporters of Judge McNeill." Minton said.

A special election will be held later this year to replace Nickell on the court. McNeill, Jason Coltharp and C. Rene Williams have all filed as candidates in that race, along with Paducah attorney Jenny Hines.