Joe Ross, who has begun his third term as Logan County Attorney this year, has announced his intention to run for circuit judge serving Logan and Todd counties upon the retirement of long-time Circuit Judge Tyler Gill. That is expected to come soon.
Ross is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky School of Law.
He has spent his entire legal career in Logan and Todd counties, primarily in public service. He has continuously held several positions in public service.
His first job came in the office he is currently seeking, as the first full-time Staff Attorney for Judge Gill. After his clerkship with Judge Gill, he became a prosecutor in the office of the late Commonwealth Attorney Charles Orange until his election as Logan County Attorney in 2010. During the years leading up to his election, he also served in the Todd County Attorney’s Office, working for Harold Mac Johns, a Russellville native who was repeatedly elected as Todd County Attorney.
He has represented many citizens of Logan and Todd counties in his private law practice as well. District Judge Ken Williams and he were partners in the firm of Ross and Williams until Williams’ election to the bench, and now he is in partnership with current Assistant Logan County Attorney Elizabeth Gill Teel, in Ross and Teel. He also worked in Todd County in Johns’ private practice.
“I live in Russellville with my wife Amy. She and I met at Western Kentucky University, married upon graduation, and afterward lived in Lexington while I attended the University of Kentucky College of Law. After spending years in the work force, including supporting me through law school, Amy recently returned to WKU to pursue a Master’s degree in mental health counseling. We are both grateful to be active in many areas of these great communities,” he says.
Ross is actively involved in the Russellville Rotary Club, serving as a board member and Past President. He also serves on several professional boards, including the South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force and former legal advisor to CrimeStoppers. He has served on the board of directors for the Kentucky County Attorney’s Association, a state-wide organization that provides resources to its members and actively participates in the legislative process. Amy is involved in P.E.O., Community Education, and is a past Board member of the Logan County Humane Society.
He is the legal advisor for the Logan County Fiscal Court and offers legal advice to elected county officials on issues of county business. He provides legal counsel to special taxing districts such as fire districts, water boards, and the Tourism Board.
In private practice, he says his primary areas of practice include civil litigation, probate and estate planning, domestic relations, adoptions, and real property disputes.
Joe Ross says, “It had been my intention to wait out of respect and admiration for the service Judge Gill has provided our community until Judge Gill issued a press release with the formal announcement of his retirement. However, after speaking with Judge Gill, I concluded that now is the appropriate time to make my intentions known.
“On behalf of the entire community, I’d like to thank Judge Gill for his service. Personally, I want to publicly thank him for the confidence he showed in me years ago and for being an example to all of us of what a public servant should be. His mentorship over the years has helped me as a public servant. Judge Gill has served our communities well in his 26 years on the bench and he has earned our respect and gratitude for that service. “