---
title: "David L. Williams | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-l-williams-chief-circuit-judge-kentucky-circuit-court-40th-judicial-circuit-ky"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# David L. Williams

Kentucky 40th Judicial Circuit Court · Chief Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Kentucky 40th Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Kentucky
- Role: Chief Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Following the death of Circuit Judge Eddie C. Lovelace, Williams joined the 40th Judicial Circuit, which includes Monroe, Cumberland, and Clinton counties

### Education

- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville School of Law

### Additional information

- Williams joined the circuit court in October 2012 and successfully ran for a full term in 2014, winning with 53.1% of the vote.
- The President of the Senate from 2000 to 2012 and ran for governor in 2011 but lost to the incumbent.
- David Lewis Williams, born on May 28, 1953, is an American attorney and politician who held the role of a Republican member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1987 until his appointment as a circuit court judge in 2012.
- Date of birth: 1953-05-28
- Judge Williams has gained attention for his unique courtroom style and the way he handles cases.
- His judicial approach has been characterized by a mix of legal rigor and common sense, often using humor to ease tensions in the courtroom.
- He has presided over a variety of cases, including family law disputes, custody battles, and property issues
- He has been involved in cases ranging from family land disputes to child custody issues, often emphasizing the importance of cooperation among parties involved.
- Birth place: Burkesville

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing platform

Scope: statewide

Kentucky Court of Justice publishes statewide instructions for using Zoom to participate in remote court proceedings.

Evidence excerpt: This page provides general instructions about how to use Zoom to participate in a remote court proceeding.

[Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### video voice content sharing

Scope: statewide

Kentucky identifies Zoom as a platform that supports video, voice, and content sharing for desktops, mobile devices, phones, and room systems.

Evidence excerpt: Zoom is a videoconferencing platform that offers video, voice and content sharing for desktops, mobile devices, phones and room systems.

[Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### county login information

Scope: statewide

Kentucky directs parties to obtain specific remote-court login information from the circuit court clerk for the county where they are scheduled to appear.

Evidence excerpt: To request specific login information for your court event, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in the county in which you are scheduled to appear.

[Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Clinton.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Clinton.aspx)
- [Kentucky Court of Justice official judicial roster](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Clinton.aspx)
- [Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)
- [Wikidata: David L. Williams](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5236264)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-l-williams-chief-circuit-judge-kentucky-circuit-court-40th-judicial-circuit-ky",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-l-williams-chief-circuit-judge-kentucky-circuit-court-40th-judicial-circuit-ky",
      "name": "David L. Williams | KnowJudges",
      "description": "David L. Williams, Kentucky 40th Judicial Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-08-02",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-l-williams-chief-circuit-judge-kentucky-circuit-court-40th-judicial-circuit-ky#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-l-williams-chief-circuit-judge-kentucky-circuit-court-40th-judicial-circuit-ky#judge",
      "name": "David L. Williams",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-l-williams-chief-circuit-judge-kentucky-circuit-court-40th-judicial-circuit-ky",
      "jobTitle": "Chief Circuit Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Kentucky 40th Judicial Circuit Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Clinton.aspx"
      ],
      "birthDate": "1953-05-28",
      "birthPlace": "Burkesville",
      "alumniOf": [
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "University of Kentucky"
        },
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "University of Louisville School of Law"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Kentucky",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/kentucky"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "David L. Williams",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-l-williams-chief-circuit-judge-kentucky-circuit-court-40th-judicial-circuit-ky"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```
