Kentucky Court of Justice
Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges meet with law students in KLEO Program

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Supreme Court Justices Lisabeth Hughes Abramson and Wil Schroder and Court of Appeals Judges Denise G. Clayton and Thomas B. Wine recently met with a group of law school students who participate in the Kentucky Legal Education Opportunity Program. The Supreme Court hosted a luncheon for the KLEO scholars to gather with the justices and judges. The event took place July 13 in the Supreme Court Conference Room at the Capitol in Frankfort.

“I always enjoy meeting our future lawyers, these students who are motivated and up to the challenge and rigors of law school,” Justice Schroder said. “The KLEO Program gives them a glimpse of what to expect.”

The justices, judges and students discussed the law, law school and other issues at the luncheon. KLEO student mentors and law professor Allison Connelly, the statewide coordinator for the KLEO Program, also participated in the event. She is a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Justice Abramson lauded the scholars and Connelly.

“The 2011 class of KLEO scholars, like the one before it, is an impressive gathering of promising young law students who will enhance the Kentucky bench and bar for years to come,” she said. “Professor Connelly’s dedication to their success as lawyers and as people is truly inspiring.”

Students who are accepted into the KLEO Program receive a scholarship to help with their legal education. The program is designed to assist historically underrepresented, low-income or educationally disadvantaged Kentucky residents who want to earn a law degree, are committed to public service and show potential for contributing to their law school community. All three Kentucky law schools participate in the program – the UK College of Law in Lexington, the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in Louisville and the Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law in Highland Heights.

“Year after year the Court of Justice and Kentucky’s three law schools have demonstrated their unequivocal commitment to the KLEO Program and its scholars because KLEO works,” Connelly said. “KLEO is changing the face of justice in Kentucky. The law touches everyone and the KLEO Program helps to ensure that our law school classrooms reflect Kentucky’s diverse population.”