Outstanding Commonwealth's Attorney
The Honorable Dan Boaz, representing the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which consists of McCracken County
Daniel York Boaz never really had much of a choice. He came from an entire family of lawyers, including his father, Samuel Boaz, who was one of the most honorable and well-liked attorneys in the region. Many of Dan’s uncles were also lawyers—some were “plain ole country lawyers,” some became circuit judges, and one—Kentucky Congressman Frank Albert Stubblefield—served on the Warren Commission that investigated the Kennedy assassination.
Dan graduated from Murray State University in December of 1981 and worked for a while as a juvenile officer for McCracken County, before he was impressed into law school at Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, graduating from there in November of 1985. After passing the bar in April of 1986, Dan returned to Paducah, where he practiced law with his father, and also became a part-time Assistant County Attorney to McCracken County Attorney Fred Grimes. Eventually he became a full time assistant county attorney and was appointed to the office of County Attorney in January of 1997, upon Grimes’ retirement. During his time in office, Dan was twice awarded with the honor of being named Outstanding County Attorney, in 2002 and 2008.
In August of 2009, when Governor Steve Beshear appointed Dan as Commonwealth’s Attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit of Kentucky at Paducah, Dan quickly accepted the position and took his trial skills to a higher level, trying death penalty murder cases, child sex abuse cases, robbery and assault cases and other violent crimes.
The Honorable Shelly Miller, representing the 11th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Green, Marion, Taylor and Washington counties
Shelly Miller is the Commonwealth Attorney for the 11th Judicial Circuit which includes Washington, Marion, Taylor and Green counties. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky in 1989. After graduation, she worked in Washington, D.C., as a legislative intern to U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. She then graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1993 and worked for two years a law clerk to United States District Judge Henry Wilhoit, in Ashland and Lexington Kentucky.
She initially practiced with Miller, Miller & Miller, PLC and later with Bertram, Cox & Miller, LLP in Campbellsville. She served as an assistant commonwealth attorney from 2000 until she was elected as the commonwealth attorney in 2012.
Shelly has prosecuted numerous cases in all four counties of the 11th Judicial Circuit. In 2007, she represented Kentucky at the National District Attorneys Associations seminar entitled Child Proof. This seminar at the Ernest P. Hollings National Advocacy Center on the campus of University of South Carolina focused on advanced trial advocacy training for child abuse prosecutors.
She serves as a director on the Board of the Kentucky Distinguished Young Women. She has served as the co-chairman of the School Board at Kentucky Christian Academy. She has served as children’s choir director and adult Sunday school class teacher at the Campbellsville Christian Church.
Shelly has benefitted from the experience and wisdom of many commonwealth attorneys across the Commonwealth of Kentucky on whom she has relied for advice over the years. She appreciates the contributions of her colleagues and hopes to be able to be a resource to others who might benefit from her many experiences in prosecution.
Outstanding County Attorney
The Honorable Kennis Maynard has served as Martin County Attorney from 1990-1994 and again from August 2002 until his planned retirement date of August 31, 2018.
Kennis grew up in Beauty, Kentucky, graduated Warfield High School in 1970, he attended Alice Lloyd College and Pikeville College and worked in the coal mines while he attended law school at Chase – in which he graduated in 1977. Prior to being elected County Attorney, Kennis had his own law practice in Inez, served as the public defender in Martin County, and even co-owned a newspaper, The Martin County Sun.
During his tenure as Martin County Attorney, Kennis started the Martin County S.A.V.E. Program in 2008, which is an organization that counsels to drug addicted individuals in a faith based environment. As a Prosecutor, Kennis believes in responsibility for one’s actions. However, he feels it’s his duty to encourage those struggling with drug addiction to seek treatment and has been a strong advocate for the Drug Court Program in Martin County. Kennis is the epitome of a true public servant, never shying away from helping anyone who graced his door, at home or at the office.
The Honorable Stacy Tapke was elected as the Kenton County Attorney on November 4, 2014. Prior to her election Stacy worked as an assistant county attorney, where her duties included handling civil matters for Kenton County, representing the Commonwealth in guardianship jury trials, assisting families with Casey’s Law and mental health petitions, collecting delinquent property taxes and prosecuting misdemeanor and traffic offenses. She is the first woman in Kenton County’s history to hold this office.
She has served in leadership positions in many community organizations, including LEGACY, the Dorothy Wood Foundation for Redwood, the Northern Kentucky Forum, the Northern Kentucky Bar Association the Kentucky Bar Association. and serves as a director for the Kentucky County Attorney’s Association.
Her awards and honors include receiving the first annual Service to Community Award presented by the Kentucky Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division, the Rising Star award by the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, the 2014 Vision 2015 Young Visionary Award, and the LEGACY Legend Award. In 2013, the Cincinnati Business Courier named her as one of the region’s Forty Under 40. Most recently, she was recognized as one of the 2016 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky. She is also a proud graduate of Leadership Northern Kentucky and Leadership Kentucky.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Honorable Michael Foster, Christian County Attorney
Mike graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1969 with a BA degree in Political Science. He later graduated from the University of Kentucky Law School in 1972 and was admitted to the Kentucky Bar Associated in 1973. After returning to his hometown, Mike was elected Christian County Attorney in 1981 and has served as county attorney for the past 33 years. Mike also was instrumental in the re-organization of the Kentucky County Attorney’s Association and previously served as State President of that Association. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors and is very instrumental in the development of legislation in support of the Kentucky’s County Attorneys and County Governments in general. He also serves as a member of the Prosecutors Advisory Council which administers the budget and staffing of the Commonwealth and County Attorneys of Kentucky. Mike was elected as Kentucky’s outstanding County Attorney in 1987, 2001, 2005 and 2011. He is the only four-time recipient of this recognition. Mike is considered one of the leading authorities on local government in Kentucky and is a frequent speaker to various associations dealing with local government both in Kentucky and Nationally.