Federal Clerkship Counts as Law Practice, Kentucky Court Rules

Time spent as a federal court clerk counts toward the legal experience requirement to run for Kentucky attorney general, a state circuit court ruled Oct. 10.

Kentucky’s definition of “practicing law” should be broadly interpreted, the court said in a ruling that short-circuited a complaint by a Louisville voter to disqualify Republican Daniel Cameron from the November ballot.

“There is no meaningful distinction between the professional responsibilities Mr. Cameron performed as a federal judicial law clerk and his responsibilities as legal counsel for Senate Majority Leader (Mitch) McConnell,” the court said.

“Both positions involved, ‘service rendered involving legal knowledge or ...