Chief Justice Debra Lambert, ’83, Breaks Barriers as First-Generation College Graduate

With the values of hard work, education and equity instilled by her parents—and the support of a $500 scholarship from the local homemaker’s club—Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert, ’83, built the foundation of her highly successful career upon her degree from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). She carries these principles forward today as chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court.

“Neither of my parents had even graduated high school,” the Bell County native said. “They were hardworking and bright, but based on their family and economic situations, they didn’t have the opportunity to even finish high school. They always taught me that education was the great equalizer.”

While at EKU, Lambert majored in child and family studies, where she discovered her passion for service to others. After graduating, Lambert called the department chair at the time, Dr. Betty Powers, for a recommendation letter for law school. “Dr. Powers told me that I needed to promise her I would use my law degree to help children and families,” she said. Lambert never forgot that promise.

Lambert practiced law in Mount Vernon and became circuit judge for the Family Court Division, where she started the first drug court in her district. After being elected to the Supreme Court of Kentucky in 2018, she chaired the Kentucky Judicial Mental Health Commission—a project she remains involved in as chief justice—leading efforts to innovate the court system to better serve those with substance disorders, mental health issues and intellectual disabilities.

“When I was at EKU in the child and family studies program, one of the topics of study was autism. And now, we’re working in Kentucky to improve our interactions with persons with autism—both in civil and criminal cases,” Lambert said.

In 2024, Lambert was elected by fellow justices on the high court to serve as chief justice. In this role, she oversees the administrative functions of the court, including “over a million square feet of real estate with the courthouses,” a more than $400 million judicial branch budget, more than 3,000 employees plus a few hundred judges and circuit court clerks.

Breaking barriers as a first-generation high school, college and law school graduate and now serving in the highest position of the highest court in the state, Lambert said, “I hope that I can encourage those who might be similarly situated without the family background to step forward and follow your dreams.”

In her agreement with Dr. Powers to help children and families, Lambert realized another devotion in volunteering as a suicide prevention trainer.

Applying her background in law, she’s working toward a culture shift and a move away from the word “commit” being associated with suicide. “Commit has a criminal and blaming connotation rather than a reach-out-and-ask-someone-for-help connotation,” she said. “Simply changing language to ‘died by suicide’ can be very important to culture change. When I talk about suicide prevention, I always speak of it in a hopeful and uplifting way, because there is a lot of hope surrounding being able to talk about saving someone’s life.”

Reflecting on where her journey from EKU has led her, Lambert said, “I would not have the life I have but for EKU.” In writing a dissenting opinion about a mother with cognitive issues who needed assistance, Lambert was reminded of her background in education and child and family studies. 

While Lambert has made a name for herself, she remains rooted in her family values and the pillars formed at EKU, with purpose and service as her guideposts.

“The work for children and families that I did as a student is still imprinted on my brain and, more specifically, on my heart,” she concluded.

By Elise Russell