Tom Emberton at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Kentucky · State
- Judicial service
- Former
Tom Emberton
Former Judge · Kentucky Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Kentucky, 1989-present
- The Kentucky General Assembly authorized the project in 2024, and Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert called him “a noted leader and statesman” whose legacy “inspires both the community and judicial branch”
- Tom Dale Emberton Sr. (1932–2022) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge best known for his service on the Kentucky Court of Appeals and his role as a Republican gubernatorial candidate in 1971
- Chief Judge, Kentucky Court of Appeals; 2002; 2004
- Appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals in 1989, later served as chief judge, and retired in 2004
- Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge (1987–2004), appointed by Democratic Governor Wallace Wilkinson to fill a vacancy
Education
- University of Louisville School of Law in — J.D. (1962)
- University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law — J.D.
- Degrees from Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
Additional information
- Served twice and was Chief Judge from 2002 until retirement in 2004
- Born July 14, 1932 in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, Emberton attended Western Kentucky University
- Date of birth: 1932
- He served in the U.S. Air Force before beginning his legal career
- Emberton was known for his integrity, leadership, and dedication to public service, and was respected across Kentucky’s political and legal communities
- The Metcalfe County Courthouse was renamed in his honor
- Birth place: Monroe County
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Kentucky Court of Justice publishes statewide instructions for using Zoom to participate in remote court proceedings.
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 ↗
Statewide
Kentucky identifies Zoom as a platform that supports video, voice, and content sharing for desktops, mobile devices, phones, and room systems.
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 ↗
County Login Information
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.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Court of Appeals of Kentucky current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Court of Appeals of Kentucky current judicial profile ↗Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Kentucky Court of Justice: Remote Court General Instructions ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Wikidata: Tom Emberton
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Wikidata: Tom Emberton ↗