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Christopher Shea Nickell

Christopher Shea Nickell (born c. 1958 or 1959)[2] is an American lawyer who has served a justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Education

Nickell, a native of Paducah, Kentucky, graduated from the city's Paducah Tilghman High School in 1977, followed by a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1984.[3][4]

Career

Prior to being appointed as a judge, Nickell practiced law for 22 years.[5] He served as an instructor at Murray State University teaching Insurance and Risk Management and he also taught at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill teaching jurisprudence.[4]

State court service

In 2006, Nickell was elected to be a judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals.[6]

Kentucky Supreme Court service

On February 6, 2019, Nickell announced he was running for the seat on the Kentucky Supreme Court vacated by the retirement of Bill Cunningham.[5][7] He was elected on November 5, 2019, defeating state senator Whitney Westerfield.[8][2] He was sworn into office on December 11, 2019.[9][10]

Associations and memberships

Nickell has been a member of the Paducah Lions Club since 1989. He is also an Eagle Scout, he has been recognized as a Kentucky Colonel, Honorary Captain of the Belle of Louisville and a Sagamore of the Wabash.[6] He is a Life Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. He is also a 32 Degree Mason, a Silver Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a Life Fellow of the Kentucky Bar Foundation, a Gideon, and a deacon at Paducah's Heartland Church.[4]

Personal life

Nickell and his wife, Carolyn S. Watson are both a Melvin Jones Fellow.[6]

Electoral history

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, 1ST SUPREME COURT DISTRICT, UNEXPIRED TERM[8]
Year Non Partisan Votes Pct Non Partisan Votes Pct
2019 Christopher Shea NICKELL 71,941 57.35% Whitney H. WESTERFIELD 53,497 42.65%

References

  1. ^ Brown, Jennifer P. (October 17, 2019). "Ky. Supreme Court candidates Westerfield, Nickell differ mainly on experience". Hoptown Chronicle.
  2. ^ a b "Nickell wins District 1 seat in KY Supreme Court". Forward Kentucky. November 7, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  3. ^ "Christopher Shea Nickell Judge Profile on Martindale.com". www.martindale.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Justice Christopher Shea Nickell". kycourts.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Appellate Judge Announces Run For Kentucky Supreme Court Seat". www.wkms.org. February 6, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "JUDGE CHRISTOPHER SHEA NICKELL INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR" (PDF). Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  7. ^ Latek, Tom; Today, Kentucky (February 4, 2019). "Veteran appeals judge seeks vacated seat on Ky. Supreme Court". Kentucky Today. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  9. ^ Wright, John (December 6, 2019). "Justice Shea Nickell to be sworn in as Supreme Court justice Dec. 11 in Frankfort". Murray Ledger and Times. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  10. ^ "Justice Nickell sworn in as Kentucky Supreme Court justice". www.wkyt.com. December 12, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
Legal offices
Preceded by Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court
2019–present 		Incumbent