UPDATE: Justice Robert Conley formally sworn in as Kentucky Supreme Court justice

UPDATE POSTED AUGUST 20, 2021 AT 5:45 P.M.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ/Press Release) – Justice Robert B. Conley has formally been sworn in as a justic of the Supreme Court of Kentucky.

After taking the oath of office today administered by Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr., Justice Conley joined his fellow justices on the bench, where they each welcomed him to the Supreme Court. Justice Conley thanked the justices for making his transition to the Supreme Court go smoothly and said he appreciated the people of the 7th Supreme Court District for their support.

“I promise to be fair and honest and to do my best,” Justice Conley said. “I’m fully aware of the honor and privilege to be sitting where I sit today.”

Justice Robert B. Conley’s wife, Melanie, helps him put on his judicial robe after he took the oath of office during his investiture ceremony Aug. 20.
(Source: Supreme Court of Kentucky)

In welcoming Justice Conley to the court, Chief Justice Minton referenced his roots in Greenup County and read an excerpt from Jessie Stuart’s poem, “Kentucky is My Land,” which included:

I didn’t have any choices as to where I was born,
But if I had had my choice,
I would have chosen Kentucky.
And if could have chosen wind to breathe,
I would have chosen Kentucky wind.

“Bob Conley bring that perspective to the court. His roots run deep in the area where he came from,” said Chief Justice Minton.

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED AUGUST 16, 2021 AT 4:22 P.M.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ/Press Release) – The Supreme Court of Kentucky will soon have a new justice added as Justice Robert B. Conley of Eastern Kentucky is set to be formally sworn in.

An investiture ceremony will be held Friday, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Supreme Court Courtroom on the second floor of the state Capitol.

Justice Conley will be given the oath of office by Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr.

Justice Conley was elected in the November 2020 general election to serve the 7th Supreme Court District, which is made up of the Commonwealth’s 22 easternmost counties. Chief Justice Minton administered the oath of office to Justice Conley on Jan. 1, 2020.

The formal investiture at the Supreme Court was delayed until now due to COVID-19.

Justice Conley began serving on the state’s highest court after 26 years as a trial court judge for Greenup and Lewis counties, which make up the 20th Judicial Circuit/District. He was appointed to fill a vacancy in District Court for the counties in 1994 and then elected to the seat for three successive terms.

In 2006, he was elected as a Circuit Court judge for Greenup and Lewis, serving there until his election to the Supreme Court. While a circuit judge, he presided over the Greenup/Lewis Drug Court, which was recognized by the National Drug Court Institute in 2010 as a mentor court to help train Drug Court personnel from the eastern United States.