United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
About This Court
The Eastern District of Kentucky is one of two federal judicial districts in Kentucky, sitting within the Sixth Circuit. The district covers the eastern portion of the state, including Lexington and the surrounding Bluegrass region, as well as the Appalachian coalfields and eastern mountain counties. It is a geographically large district that encompasses a mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities.
The court holds proceedings in several cities across the district to serve its expansive territory, including Lexington, Ashland, Covington, Frankfort, London, and Pikeville. Lexington serves as the administrative and judicial hub of the district.
The Eastern District of Kentucky operates under the rules of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and follows local rules adopted by the district. The court handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters arising within its boundaries.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Kentucky. Appeals go to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Divisions
Central Division (Lexington, Frankfort), Eastern Division (Ashland, Pikeville), Northern Division (Covington), Southern Division (London)
Caseload
The Eastern District of Kentucky handles a significant volume of criminal cases related to drug offenses and firearms, reflecting law enforcement priorities in the Appalachian region. The district also sees substantial civil litigation involving Social Security disability appeals and cases arising from the coal mining industry.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the Eastern District of Kentucky by filing an application with the clerk's office and must be in good standing with the Kentucky Bar Association or another state bar. Local rules govern pro hac vice admission for attorneys not otherwise admitted to the district.
Clerk's Office
101 Barr Street, Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 233-2503
Active Judges 9
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Bertelsman | Jimmy Carter | 1979 | University of Cincinnati College of Law |
| Claria Boom | Donald J. Trump | 2018 | Vanderbilt University Law School |
| David Bunning | George W. Bush | 2002 | University of Kentucky College of Law |
| Karen Caldwell | George W. Bush | 2001 | University of Kentucky College of Law |
| Joseph Hood | George H.W. Bush | 1990 | University of Kentucky College of Law |
| Stephen Meredith | Donald J. Trump | 2025 | University of Kentucky College of Law |
| Danny Reeves | George W. Bush | 2001 | Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law |
| Gregory Van Tatenhove | George W. Bush | 2005 | University of Kentucky College of Law |
| Robert Wier | Donald J. Trump | 2018 | University of Kentucky College of Law |
Local Rules
The Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.