Jefferson District Court
Hon. Claude Prather
Division 3
Family:
Spouse :Mary Faith (Reinhart) Prather, 1963
Sons:
John R. Prather, PhD, J.D., B.A. Professor at Ohio University Eastern
James R. Prather, PhD, M.A., B.S., Professor at Western Ky. University
Joseph R. Prather, EdD., M.Ed., M.A.T., B.A., Evaluation Specialist at JCPS
Jeffrey R. Prather, J.D., B.A., Assist. Attorney General, Special Prosecutor
Jason R. Prather, B.A., QuantumGraphix
Justin R. Prather, B.A., QuantumGraphix, Mayer Realtors
Education: University of Louisville (all degrees at night school)
Juris Doctorate
Masters in Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics)
G.E. Tool and Die Apprenticeship
Valley High School
St. Paul's and Old Medora elementary schools
Experience:District Court Judge, elected in 2002
Attorney at Law (General Practice, including Civil Litigation, Estate Planning and Probate)
Defense Attorney for eight (8) years
Assistant Jefferson County Attorney (Prosecuting on a daily basis in the District Courts for over fifteen (15)years)
Prosecutor Recognition Award from Kentucky Chapter, International
Association of Credit Card Investigators
Guest Lecturer for 1996 Kentucky Law Update
"Technology: Your Need To Compete"
General Electric Company (1960 - 1994 - over 34 years)
Management and Union Bargaining Unit
Managerial Award for Union & Management Survey
Tool & Die Maker, Computer Programmer, Laboratory Technician
Foreman, Wage Administration Specialist, Standards Specialist
Additional experiences that have aided me as Judge (prior to becoming an attorney)
Labor Relations Work for GE
Grievance Procedure Negotiations
Application of GE rules, Practices and Disciplinary Procedures
Contract Negotiations
Preparing Contracts and Arbitration Cases
United States Marine Corps (Honorable Discharge 1960)
Memberships:
Admitted to practice in all Kentucky Courts of Justice Marine Corps League, Kentucky Det. 729
Kentucky Bar Association Louisville Bar Association
Association of Machinists Middletown Optimist Club
Knights of Columbus U of L Sports Club
Wakaishu Judo Club Valley High School Alumni Association
Admitted to practice in U.S. District Court, Western Dist. Ky.
See: claudeprather.com
Contact Judge Prather at: preator@insightbb.com
Candidate Statement:
Since being elected, I have moved the dockets efficiently while showing fairness and respect to all who have come before me. Temperament, legal knowledge, experience, and integrity matter when making decisions.
My judgeship is based on impartiality and a strong work ethic. Furthermore, my varied life experiences outside of the legal profession help me to identify with those who stand before the bench. In my life, I have been blessed with many opportunities. I was born in a less than affluent family, and now I have a wonderfully supporting wife and family. I served honorably in the United States Marines. While attending night school, I was employed by GE, representing both management and then labor.
I am gratified by the encouragement and recognition of my abilities as Judge by the Attorneys who practice in District Court. I am honored by being a Judge and I hope to continue serving the people.