Beech Tree News Network

FRANKFORT, Ky. (12/28/16) — The Judicial Nominating Commission, led by Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr., announced nominees to fill a vacant District Court judgeship for Butler, Edmonson, Hancock and Ohio counties. The counties make up the 38th Judicial District and the vacancy is in the district’s 1st Division.

The three nominees for the judgeship are attorneys Tara Nicole Ward, of Hartford, Kentucky, Richard "Dick" Joseph Deye, of Morgantown, Kentucky, and Joseph Brett “J.B.” Hines, of Brownsville, Kentucky.

Ward has a private law practice and serves as the city attorney for the city of Hartford. She earned her juris doctor from the Washington University School of Law in Saint Louis.

Deye has a private law practice and serves as the county attorney for Butler County. He earned his juris doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Hines has a private law practice and serves as the county attorney for Edmonson County. He earned his juris doctor from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.

The District Court judicial seat became vacant when Judge Renona C. Browning resigned in August 2016.