Judge VanMeter was raised in Bourbon County and held her first job in the eighth grade, student teaching at the Town and Village School of Dance where she began studying dance at the age of three. She graduated with honors from DePauw University and cum laude from University of Kentucky College of Law.

VanMeter files for Kentucky Court of Appeals

Lucy Ferguson VanMETER was raised in Bourbon County. She graduated with honors from DePauw University and cum laude from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

The $649,000 judges' race nobody is watching - Forward Kentucky

Lucy Ferguson VanMeter was raised in Bourbon County. She graduated with honors from DePauw University and cum laude from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Judge VanMeter has more than two decades of experience in Kentucky’s state court system. She was elected to the Fayette Circuit Court in 2018 and presides over civil cases, felony criminal matters, and appeals from the Fayette District Court. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge VanMeter was an equity partner with one of Kentucky’s preeminent law firms where she practiced law from 2001 to 2018.

Experience That Matters! | Lucy VanMeter

Lucy Ferguson VanMeter previously worked as an equity partner at a Kentucky law firm.

Lucy currently serves on the Fayette Circuit Court. She was elected in 2018.

2026 Kentucky General Election

As of October 6, 2026, Lucy Ferguson VanMeter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

As a judge, my rules for service are: 1. Be prepared and on time. 2. Listen to the parties. 3. Apply the law and Constitution as written. 4. Rule promptly. 5. Ensure proceedings are fair. 6. In criminal cases, always consider the safety and security of the community and impose a consequence for actions.

“All I ever wanted was to be before a judge who had read my pleadings, who was prepared for my hearing and who gave me a fair shake and applied the law,” she said. “Of course I wanted to win, but if I had lost and all those things had happened, I was OK with that. I think that’s really what lawyers want. They want somebody who’s going to apply the law consistently and predictably. Because if your judge doesn’t apply the law consistently, there’s chaos.” Since she was sworn in as a judge in Kentucky’s Fayette Circuit Court in December 2018, VanMeter said, “that’s what I try to do in my cases.”

The Public Servants: Lucy Ferguson VanMeter ’97

Applies the law and Constitution as written, consistently, and predictably.

Considers community safety and security and imposes consequences in criminal cases.

- Applies the law and Constitution as written, consistently, and predictably.
- Considers community safety and security and imposes consequences in criminal cases.

Judicial Philosophy

Serves as a Fayette Circuit Court judge, presiding over civil cases, felony criminal matters, and appeals from Fayette District Court.

- Serves as a Fayette Circuit Court judge, presiding over civil cases, felony criminal matters, and appeals from Fayette District Court.

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Facebook

Instagram

Lucy Ferguson VanMeter

As of October 6, 2026, Lucy Ferguson VanMETER’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lucy Ferguson VanMETER

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Will Moynahan

- The Court of Appeals hears nearly all types of cases appealed from a lower-level trial court, such as a district or circuit court. Cases are not retried, only the record of the original trial is reviewed. 
- Cases before the Court of Appeals are decided by a three-judge panel. Panels do not sit permanently in one location but move around the state to hear cases.  
- Appellate judges are elected for eight-year terms in nonpartisan elections from seven appellate districts. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some judges are elected each year.
- Appellate judges earn $163,292 annually.

Hears appeals on orders and decisions made by lower trial courts