I was born and raised in Shelby County, Kentucky. So the ubiquitous Louisville introduction—where I went to high school—is mostly a non starter. And what I do for a living is a prerequisite for the office circuit judge. My profession as an attorney sheds no light on who I am. To better illuminate myself, I begin with those people who are the most important to me: my family.

      I am the father of three terrific girls. I love being a Dad. In addition to helping and watching my daughters grow up, they’ve helped me to grow beyond measure. Through them, I’ve also grown to appreciate how much Louisville has to offer. When the weather is warm, we’re regulars at the many parks spread throughout Metro Louisville. When the weather is not so great, we’re usually at Art Sparks in the Speed Art Museum, the Louisville Science Museum, or at the YMCA. But I've found that the Jefferson County public school system provides even more amazing opportunities for my daughters than Louisville's rich and impressive opportunities for diversion and cultural enrichment.

      Having come from a school system with no choice as to where you went to school, I find that the many options available here in Jefferson County are truly amazing. Of course when I point out how lucky they are, my daughters roll their eyes at me and give me an “Oh Daddy” stare, which is meant to convey the complete irrelevance of what life was like in the ancient and primitive days of the 1970’s. But it’s all good.

      Speaking of good things in my life brings me to my long-suffering wife and my role as her husband. “Long suffering” is clearly the most appropriate adjective to use for a woman married to a man who gets excited about working on novel legal issues and loves to share this enthusiasm during dinner conversations. Julea’s a great woman who has devoted herself to trying to be a stay-at-home mom of three and maintaining her sanity at the same time. Without her, none of this would be possible.

      Of course I’d be completely remiss if I failed to mention my mother, Sydney Lawson, who stood by me and believed in me despite the numerous detours I took on the road to law school. In continuation of this support, Mom is my campaign treasurer. She was born and raised on a real, honest-to-goodness farm. And I also need to mention my father, Robert Lawson, who helped give me balance.

      Dad was born in the City. His father, my grandfather, owned Briggs Hower, which was the big  haberdashery (Dad’s favorite term for a men’s clothing store) in town. His uncle owned the local department store, Lawson’s. So my parents and their families represented a true melding of town and country. Unfortunately, my father passed away a few years ago. I think he’d approve of my pursuit of this office.

      I’ll stop this process of definition by relationship and roles with my immediate family. I simply don't have room or time to thank the many good friends that have helped make me the man I am today.

      In concluding this introduction, I cannot stress enough how much I care and believe in the law. All civilizations that were or are in the least bit civilized have had some official arbiter of disputes. In America, we are at the forefront of governance by the rule of law. This leadership makes the courts the primary arbiters of disputes in this country. For the courts to work properly, we need judges who are fair, impartial, capable, and who believe in what they are doing. I’ll strive every working day to bring these qualities to the bench.