FRANKFORT, Ky., Jan. 7, 2005 ¾ The public is invited to attend the formal investiture of Will T. Scott, who was elected in November to a seat on the Supreme Court of Kentucky. Justice Scott represents the 7th Supreme Court District, which comprises 22 counties in Eastern Kentucky (see list below).

Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert will preside at the investiture ceremony on Monday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. EST in the Chambers of the Supreme Court on the second floor of the State Capitol, 700 Capitol Ave., Frankfort.

Justice Scott has practiced law in Kentucky's courtrooms for 29 years. He is a former circuit judge (1984-1988), assistant commonwealth's attorney (1981-1982) and trial attorney from Pike County, Ky. In 1986, he was elected 2nd vice president of the Kentucky Circuit Judges Association.

He was born in Pike County in 1947 and currently resides on Ratliff's Branch near Pikeville. Justice Scott graduated from Pikeville High School in 1965 and attended Eastern Kentucky University for one year before volunteering for the U.S. Army, where he spent three years (1966-1969). He enlisted as a private and finished his tour of duty in Vietnam as a first lieutenant. He was awarded his airborne wings, the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Combat Infantryman's Badge, among other military awards and decorations.

After returning from the military in 1969, he earned a bachelor's degree from Pikeville College, and a master's of law in taxation and a juris doctor from the University of Miami, Fla. (1974-1975). He is licensed to practice law in both Kentucky and Florida.

Justice Scott is a member of the First Christian Church in Pikeville. Outside of the courtroom, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, camping, whitewater rafting, snow skiing and fishing.

Supreme Court of Kentucky

The Supreme Court is the state court of last resort and the final interpreter of Kentucky law. Seven justices sit on the Supreme Court and all seven justices rule on appeals that come before the court. The justices are elected from seven appellate districts and serve eight-year terms. A chief justice, chosen for a four-year term by fellow justices, is the administrative head of the state’s court system and is responsible for its operation. The Supreme Court may order a ruling or opinion to be “published,” which means that the ruling becomes the case law governing all similar cases in the future in Kentucky.

22 Eastern Kentucky Counties in 7th Supreme Court District

Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Rowan, Wolfe