Murray State Public Relations – Shawn Touney – Murray State University alum David Buckingham, ’74, has been appointed as the newest justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court.
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin appointed the Murray native to represent the First Supreme Court District of Kentucky, filling in for the retired Bill Cunningham, who left his post earlier this year.
“I appreciate the confidence Gov. Bevin has shown in me by appointing me to the Kentucky Supreme Court,” Buckingham said in a news release. “I pledge to the people of Kentucky that I will serve diligently and to the best of my ability.”
Buckingham began his 29-year judicial career in 1982 as a district judge for the 42nd Judicial District. Following that role, he served as a circuit judge for the 42nd Judicial Circuit from 1987–1996. Buckingham served as a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge from 1997–2005 and as the senior judge on the Kentucky Court of Appeals from 2006–2010.
After serving as an appellate judge for 14 years, Buckingham retired in 2011 and returned to private practice. For eight years, he has served as counsel for both the Adams Law Firm and the Murray Independent School District. He has also occasionally assisted and consulted with other attorneys in appeals cases and litigation.
Buckingham will serve until the position is filled after the November 2019 general election.