Denotra is a judge for the Kentucky 22nd District Court 1st Division. She works at the Kentucky 22nd District Court, where she has been since 2021. She previously worked as a management analyst for the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon, GA, and Fort Bragg, NC; as a staff attorney for a Fayette Circuit Court judge; as an assistant Fayette County attorney for seven years in the juvenile and general prosecution divisions; and for the last 22 years as an adjunct instructor at the University of Kentucky, teaching business ethics and criminal trial process courses.

Denotra Gunther - Ballotpedia

Denotra previously worked as a management analyst for the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon, GA, and Fort Bragg, NC; as a staff attorney for a Fayette Circuit Court judge; as an assistant Fayette County attorney for seven years in the juvenile and general prosecution divisions; and for the last 22 years as an adjunct instructor at the University of Kentucky, teaching business ethics and criminal trial process courses.

Denotra Spruill Gunther is currently a judge of the Kentucky 22nd District Court 1st Division. She was appointed to the court in December 2021 by Gov. Andy Beshear to complete an unexpired term and won election to a full term in November 2022. She is serving her first term.

Denotra Spruill Gunther is currently a judge of the Kentucky 22nd District Court 1st Division. She was appointed to the court in December 2021 by Gov. Andy Beshear to complete an unexpired term and won election to a full term in November 2022. 

The Ricochet Effect: (Voices) Justice Served – Reducing Youth Incarceration Rates with the Honorable Judge Denotra Spruill Gunther

As a judge, she developed and implemented the Fayette County Assisted Outpatient Treatment Court and helped launch Eviction Diversion programs.

- As a judge, she developed and implemented the Fayette County Assisted Outpatient Treatment Court and helped launch Eviction Diversion programs.

Judicial Administration

Her judicial philosophy is rooted in the belief that "justice is not just about punishment... it's about potential."

- Her judicial philosophy is rooted in the belief that "justice is not just about punishment... it's about potential."

Judicial Philosophy

As of March 10, 2026, Denotra Spruill Gunther did not have a website or any information online.

Community Involvement

Ethics & Conduct

As an assistant county attorney, worked in the juvenile and general prosecution divisions, co-created the Truancy Intervention Program with the Fayette County Public Schools Pupil Personnel Office, and wrote and obtained a federal grant from the Department of Justice to fund the program.

As a private practice attorney, worked on criminal cases such as child abuse and domestic violence, and civil cases such as housing and employment discrimination, and consumer protection.

- As an assistant county attorney, worked in the juvenile and general prosecution divisions, co-created the Truancy Intervention Program with the Fayette County Public Schools Pupil Personnel Office, and wrote and obtained a federal grant from the Department of Justice to fund the program.
- As a private practice attorney, worked on criminal cases such as child abuse and domestic violence, and civil cases such as housing and employment discrimination, and consumer protection.

Legal Experience

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Denotra Spruill Gunther

As of March 10, 2026, Denotra Spruill Gunther’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Denotra is from Augusta, Georgia. She attended the University of South Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina. She has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. ORnull

Denotra is a judge for the Kentucky 22nd District Court, 1st Division. She has served on the court since December 2021. She previously worked as a management analyst for the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina; began her legal career as a staff attorney for Judge Gary Payne in the Fayette Circuit Court; and spent seven years as an assistant Fayette County Attorney in the Juvenile and General Prosecution divisions. She has also taught business ethics and regulatory environment at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics for over two decades and taught criminal trial process as an adjunct at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law.

Served on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Ethics Commission and the Racial Justice and Equality Commission.

As an attorney in private practice, researches, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal and civil cases, including domestic relations matters.

- District court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases, as well as, small claims (involving $2,500 or less), landlord eviction cases, and cases related to domestic violence and abuse. 
- In Kentucky, there are 116 district court judges serving in 60 judicial districts.
- District court judges are elected for four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some judges are elected each year.
- District court judges earn ​$141,761 annually. 