Bowling Green native Rebecca Adams Simpson took the oath Tuesday as Warren and Edmonton counties’ family court judge — bringing more than two decades of family law practice to a courtroom handling cases from child abuse and domestic violence to divorce, adoption and child support matters.

Gov. Andy Beshear on Dec. 16 had appointed Simpson to fill the vacancy left by Eighth Circuit Family Court Division 3 Judge David Lanphear, who retired from the bench Oct. 1. Simpson had won 47.6% of the vote in the 2014 general election for the role against Lanshear, who had eked out a narrow victory.

“I think I’m looking forward to the role of being neutral and to being able to listen,” Simpson said. “I’ve spent 26 years of my career advocating, which has been really rewarding — but now, I get to hear both sides and help come up with the solution that I feel is going to be the best outcome for the families and consistent with what the law requires.”

Members of the legal community, local officials, Simpson’s family and friends, and many other Warren Countians spilled out of the Warren County Justice Center courtroom holding the oath-taking. Many who’ve long known Simpson described her as dedicated, compassionate, principled and experienced; after working as an attorney at Jefferson County family courts, she became Warren County’s family law litigator for Kentucky Legal Aid, mostly serving families that experienced financial hardship, lived here as immigrants or dealt with domestic violence issues; then, she joined ELPO Law, where she launched the firm’s family law practice — expanding her work in private cases dealing with divorce and custody litigation, while continuing to serve families dealing with child abuse, neglect and domestic violence.

“We’re fortunate to have a person of her depth of experience now presiding in family court,” said John Minton, a 30-year jurist who served as Kentucky Supreme Court chief justice until retiring from the bench in 2023.

Minton had collaborated with Simpson when the Kentucky Supreme Court was working on revisions to mediation: Whereas Kentucky has mediators statewide who work in civil cases, not many were mediators in family law cases, Minton said. This, he added, is very important — as mediators can resolve parties’ issues while avoiding the expense, time and emotional toll of litigating in court.

“There are a lot of cases that can just simply be resolved if the parties have someone to help them through the conversation — like visitation issues, custody issues, all kinds of things,” Minton said.

“When we needed revisions of the rules, she helped us shape those for the family courts statewide.”

Regina Jackson, at ELPO Law, described Simpson as kind and patient — someone who often worked late and always put integrity first.

“For her, doing the right thing was always paramount,” Jackson said. “Every day, family court judges encounter people at some of their most difficult moments in their life. Judges who work in this area must reflect not only the law but dignity, respect and humanity. Rebecca will no doubt bring these qualities to the bench.”

“The community couldn’t be better served,” said Ralaina Hunley, who met Simpson when their kids participated in the same library program. “She took care of my oldest son when my second son was being born and there wasn’t anybody else to call on; she organized and helped plan a dinner for parents who had newly adopted kids (…) …She’s just somebody who is personally vibrant and professionally goes the extra mile for everybody.”

Elizabeth Baker, who grew up next door to Simpson and has known her since early childhood, recalled going through a tough time with her own family six years ago, and calling Simpson, her best friend.

“She would stay at her office till 8 o’clock at night and talk with me on the phone,” Baker said. “She stopped everything she was doing, and she helped me with my personal family problems. And anytime I would call her, she was there for me … She is just a great friend, and she loves people, and since she started this job as a family court lawyer, she has dedicated her time to helping families and doing the best for them that can do.”

Simpson’s family members described her as someone who cares about families deeply.

“This is (…) the culmination of a professional life that she’s dedicated to helping families and children that are in need, and that expresses itself in a lot of different ways,” said her husband, James Simpson. “She’s devoted so much of herself to her career — and this is really (…) an expression of her dedication to trying to really help the families that are in the most need.”

Added her daughter, Emma Simpson, “This is her true calling — helping the community in this way. So, I think that it’s just going to be a really great role for her. And as her kid, it’s just, it’s really heartwarming to see — we’re all so proud of her, and I know she’s going to do amazing.”