CLAUDETTE W. PATTON (JD, MEd) is a highly regarded litigator and respected attorney with 30 years of experience in law and education.  She draws upon her vast legal and education network and experience to help her clients gain access to justice and equitable solutions to difficult issues.  Claudette is a three-time graduate of the University of Louisville earning a Bachelor of Science, Master’s in Education, and Juris Doctor degree.  She was a Member of law review, The Journal of Family law, and Editor of the Journal of Law and Education. 

Claudette is a former Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Law Clerk for the US District Court Western Division, university professor, and seminar lecturer at the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.  She was appointed by the Governor of Kentucky as a member of the Commonwealth’s Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board.  She is recognized statewide for her expertise and professional skills in Family & Divorce Mediation, as well as Eldercare Mediation.    

Currently she volunteers to assist Kentucky residents with their eligibility for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits in Eastern Kentucky through AppalReD Legal Aid, providing access, advice and other assistance in civil legal matters to those who because of their low income would otherwise be without support.  

In addition, she volunteers with the Legal Aid of Society of Louisville and works toward justice for victims of domestic violence and criminal record expungement clinics so Kentucky residents can qualify for better housing, obtain employment and work toward a better life situation.  

Claudette was selected by the Governor to receive the 2020 Kentucky Volunteer Service Award at a State Capitol Ceremony for her tireless dedication for legal justice and mentoring Kentucky’s youth as they pursue their Congressional Award Gold Medal as presented by the Congressional Award Foundation. 

In 2018, the White House also recognized Claudette’s lifetime achievements with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for youth mentorship and community service, highlighting her as a distinguished youth advisor and mentor for at-risk youth with a ceremony at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

In 2017, Claudette was moved by the American Bar Association’s call to action to find solutions for legal colleagues seeking recovery from stress, burnout and substance abuse.  She created an ethics seminar focused on attorney well-being that has provided help and hope to thousands of lawyers across the country – mentoring and positioning others for recovery and success through state bar Lawyer Assistance Programs.  Claudette is an author, national legal education speaker, certified motivational trainer and has served on various nonprofit boards of directors.  

Claudette and her husband reside in Kentucky and Idaho with their four rescue dogs.