Kentucky ABOTA Stands With Judges Targeted by Threats and Online Harassment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a piece in the Courier-Journal published on March 4, 2026, Chief Judge Derwin L. Webb of Jefferson County Family Court has brought to public attention a deeply troubling pattern: judges across Kentucky and the nation are increasingly subjected to threats of assault, sexual violence, disfigurement, and death — threats that extend not only to the judges themselves, but to members of their families. These are not expressions of disagreement. These are crimes.

The Kentucky Chapter of Trial Advocates strongly stands by judges of the Jefferson County Family Court and all members of the Kentucky judiciary who have been subjected to violent threats, harassment, and targeted intimidation through social media. Throughout Kentucky and the nation, judges have increasingly been subjected to online threats of assault, sexual violence, disfigurement, and death.

“Judicial independence is not a privilege for judges; it is a protection safeguard for the public.” We stand fully firmly behind that principle, and we stand fully firmly behind the men and women who have taken an oath to uphold it,” said Hans G. Poppe, Past President of the Kentucky Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates.

Kentucky ABOTA recognizes that trial attorneys — on both sides of the courtroom — depend upon an independent and impartial judiciary. Without judges who can rule according to law and evidence, free from fear of retaliation, the adversarial system that serves as the bedrock of American justice cannot function. The threats being made against Kentucky’s judges are therefore an attack not only upon individual men and women of the bench, but upon the very rule of law itself.

“Without judges who can rule according to law and evidence, free from fear of retaliation, the adversarial system that serves as the bedrock of American justice cannot function,” said Founding Partner Tad Thomas. “We commend Chief Judge Webb for his courage in speaking publicly about this issue and we stand with every judge in this Commonwealth who continues to carry out the solemn duties of the bench despite facing these threats.”

Kentucky ABOTA’s membership comprises experienced trial attorneys who have dedicated their careers to the pursuit of justice within our courts. We understand, as well as any constituency in this Commonwealth, the personal and professional sacrifices required of those who serve on the bench. We refuse to remain silent while judges — constrained by ethical rules from defending themselves publicly — are subjected to dehumanizing rhetoric and credible threats of violence.

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