---
title: "Patricia M. Summe | KnowJudges"
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---

# Patricia M. Summe

Kentucky 16th Judicial Circuit Court · Chief Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Kentucky 16th 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.

## 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/Kenton.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Kenton.aspx)
- [Kentucky Court of Justice official judicial roster](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Kenton.aspx)
- [Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions](https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Pages/Remote-Court-Information.aspx)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Before her election to the bench in 1994, she practiced law in private practice, initially at her father’s law firm and later with her brother following her father’s passing
- Judge Summe also participates in public outreach and has discussed court operations during events such as the phased reopening of the Kenton County Justice Center during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Chief Circuit Judge, managing Division 4 of the Circuit Court, which includes scheduling hearings such as the Circuit Civil Motion Hour on the fourth Monday of each month

### Education

- Patricia Summe earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Xavier University in 1975
- Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University — J.D.

### Additional information

- She was re-elected without opposition in 2014 for an eight-year term that expired on January 1, 2023
- Outstanding Judge Award, Kentucky Bar Association (2009) Salmon P. Chase Alumni Association Exceptional Service Award (2006) Martin Luther King Award, Kenton County NAACP (2003) Kentucky Post Woman of the Year Award (1998) These honors reflect her contributions to the legal community and public service
- First elected to the 16th Judicial Circuit in 1994
- Judge Patricia Summe serves as Chief Circuit Judge in Division 4 of the 16th Judicial Circuit, which presides over Kenton County, Kentucky
- She oversees civil, criminal, and probate matters in the Circuit Court, which is the court of general jurisdiction handling cases such as capital offenses, felonies, land disputes, and contested probate cases