Three Nominees For Circuit Court Judgeship
Dotson, Reed And Taylor Considered For Open Judgeship
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com
The nominees to fill the Circuit Court judicial vacancy for Boyle and Mercer counties have been announced. The two counties make up the 50th Judicial Circuit and the vacancy is in the circuit’s Division 1.
The three nominees: are attorneys Jeffrey Len Dotson of Harrodsburg, Christopher Joel Reed of Danville and David Allen Taylor of Harrodsburg. The Judicial Nominating Commission led by Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. made the announcement last week.
District Judge Jeff Dotson
Dotson has served as District Court judge for Boyle and Mercer counties since 2010, according to Ballotpedia. Dotson received his juris doctor from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, according to a state press release.
Reed has his own law practice. He received his juris doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law, according to the state.
Taylor is in law practice with Taylor and Johns law firm. He received his juris doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law, now the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. In addition to his law office, Taylor has served in various capacities in Mercer County for decades, most recently as city attorney for Harrodsburg.
The governor has 60 days to appoint a replacement.
David A. Taylor
Reed is also running for the District Court judgeship in the upcoming election, according to the secretary of state’s website. Attorney Stacy Elizabeth Coontz is also running.
The Circuit Court judicial seat became vacant when Judge Darren W. Peckler resigned Feb. 1. According to Ballotpedia, Peckler had served since 2000, winning re-election without opposition in 2014. Peckler’s current eight-year term expires Jan. 1, 2023.
Two retired judges—Dan Kelly and Jeffrey Walson—were appointed to handle Peckler’s caseload until his replacement is found.
