Christopher Shea Nickell Explained

Christopher Nickell
Office:Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court
Term Start:December 11, 2019
Predecessor:David Buckingham
Birth Name:Christopher Shea Nickell
Birth Place:Paducah, Kentucky, U.S.
Party:Republican[1]
Education:DePauw University (BA)
University of Kentucky (JD)

Christopher Shea Nickell (born 1958 or 1959) is an American lawyer who has served a justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Education

Nickell, a native of Paducah, Kentucky, graduated from the city's Paducah Tilghman High School in 1977, followed by a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1984.[2] [3]

Career

Prior to being appointed as a judge, Nickell practiced law for 22 years.[4] He served as an instructor at Murray State University teaching Insurance and Risk Management and he also taught at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill teaching jurisprudence.

State court service

In 2006, Nickell was elected to be a judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals.[5]

Kentucky Supreme Court service

On February 6, 2019, Nickell announced he was running for the seat on the Kentucky Supreme Court vacated by the retirement of Bill Cunningham.[6] He was elected on November 5, 2019, defeating state senator Whitney Westerfield.[7] [8] He was sworn into office on December 11, 2019.[9] [10]

Associations and memberships

Nickell has been a member of the Paducah Lions Club since 1989. He is also an Eagle Scout, he has been recognized as a Kentucky Colonel, Honorary Captain of the Belle of Louisville and a Sagamore of the Wabash. He is a Life Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. He is also a 32 Degree Mason, a Silver Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a Life Fellow of the Kentucky Bar Foundation, a Gideon, and a deacon at Paducah's Heartland Church.

Personal life

Nickell and his wife, Carolyn S. Watson are both a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Electoral history

Year!
Non PartisanVotesPctNon PartisanVotesPct
2019Christopher Shea NICKELL align="right" 71,94157.35%Whitney H. WESTERFIELD align="right" 53,49742.65%

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brown . Jennifer P. . Ky. Supreme Court candidates Westerfield, Nickell differ mainly on experience . Hoptown Chronicle . October 17, 2019.
  2. Web site: Christopher Shea Nickell Judge Profile on Martindale.com . www.martindale.com . January 20, 2020.
  3. Web site: Justice Christopher Shea Nickell . kycourts.gov . July 23, 2021.
  4. Web site: Appellate Judge Announces Run For Kentucky Supreme Court Seat . February 6, 2019 . www.wkms.org . en . January 20, 2020.
  5. Web site: JUDGE CHRISTOPHER SHEA NICKELL INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR . January 20, 2020.
  6. Web site: Veteran appeals judge seeks vacated seat on Ky. Supreme Court . Latek . Tom . Today . Kentucky . February 4, 2019 . Kentucky Today . en . January 20, 2020.
  7. Web site: Election Night Reporting . results.enr.clarityelections.com . January 20, 2020.
  8. Web site: Nickell wins District 1 seat in KY Supreme Court . November 7, 2019 . Forward Kentucky . en-US . January 20, 2020.
  9. Web site: Justice Shea Nickell to be sworn in as Supreme Court justice Dec. 11 in Frankfort . Wright . John . December 6, 2019 . Murray Ledger and Times . en . January 20, 2020.
  10. Web site: Justice Nickell sworn in as Kentucky Supreme Court justice . December 12, 2019 . www.wkyt.com . english . January 20, 2020.