The Grant County Schools Education Foundation recognized Judge Stephen Bates as the 2026 Distinguished Alumni recipient. Judge Bates was a member of the class of 1968 and is known state wide for is work in Law.
Few individuals embody the values of leadership, integrity, and service quite like Judge Stephen L. Bates. Throughout Grant County and across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Judge Bates has become known not only for his distinguished legal career, but for his unwavering dedication to people, community, and the rule of law. His life’s work reflects a deep commitment to serving others with humility, fairness, and compassion, principles instilled in him from an early age and carried throughout every chapter of his remarkable career.
Born on July 24, 1950, to Ray and Vivian Morgan Bates, Judge Bates proudly claims Corinth, Kentucky, as his hometown. In 1953, the Bates family moved to Dry Ridge, where Stephen would spend his formative years and ultimately graduate from Grant County High School in 1968. During his time at GCHS, Judge Bates was heavily involved in both academics and extracurricular activities. He participated in basketball, track and field, Student Council, National Honor Society, speech competitions, and numerous student organizations, eventually serving as Senior Class President. Reflecting on his years at GCHS, Judge Bates fondly remembers the influence of educators and administrators, particularly Principal Leo Brewsaugh, whose leadership left a lasting impression.
Long before his legal career began, Judge Bates learned the value of hard work through labor on local farms and within his family’s businesses. Whether unloading feed at Bates Farm Supply, working construction jobs, or helping maintain the family motel, those experiences shaped his understanding of responsibility and perseverance. He credits his parents as his greatest role models, sharing that they taught him the importance of faith, family, service, and doing things right the first time.
Upon graduation from GCHS, Judge Bates attended the University of Kentucky on an engineering scholarship. Although naturally gifted in math and science, he soon realized that aptitude and passion are not always the same. After losing his scholarship due to an unforeseen scheduling issue, his academic direction began to shift. Exposure to business courses sparked new interests, and eventually a business law course taught by attorney James Varellas inspired him to consider a future in law. Judge Bates reflects that this unexpected detour ultimately changed his life for the better.
While attending UK, he met the woman who would become his lifelong partner and greatest supporter, Lynn Greene Bates. The two married in 1971, beginning a partnership that would span more than five decades. Judge Bates often jokes that he “married up,” crediting Lynn’s organization, encouragement, and unwavering support as instrumental to his success both personally and professionally.
After earning his business degree from the University of Kentucky in 1972, Judge Bates entered the United States Army. During his military service, he quickly emerged as a respected leader, earning the American Spirit Honor Medal for “outstanding leadership, honor, initiative and loyalty.” While stationed at Fort Knox as a Brigade Legal Clerk, he gained his first real exposure to the legal profession, solidifying his decision to pursue law school upon discharge.
In 1975, Judge Bates began attending the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law while balancing family responsibilities, work obligations, and academic demands. Despite being selected for the prestigious law review, he declined the opportunity in order to prioritize his growing family and extensive workload. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in December 1977.
Returning home to Grant County in 1978, Judge Bates and Lynn opened a law practice in Williamstown. Through hard work and dedication, the young attorney quickly earned the trust and respect of the community. His legal career flourished when he joined the Ackman & Ackman law firm, eventually becoming partner in Ackman, Ackman & Bates. During this time, he participated in significant litigation, including work associated with the nationally recognized Beverly Hills Supper Club fire cases.
Judge Bates’ commitment to public service continued to grow. In the early 1980s, he served as both Special Commissioner and Master Commissioner of the Grant Circuit Court. Then, in 1985, he made the decision to seek election as District Judge for the 15th Judicial District serving Grant, Owen, and Carroll counties. Following a demanding ten-month campaign across hundreds of square miles, he was elected and officially took the bench in January 1986.
Over the next twenty-nine years, Judge Bates would establish himself as one of the most respected jurists in Kentucky history. In 1999, he was appointed and later elected as Circuit Judge for the 15th Judicial Circuit, a position he held until his retirement in 2015. During his tenure, he became the longest-serving trial court judge in Grant County history. Under his leadership, the court system achieved some of the fastest case clearance rates in the Commonwealth, despite carrying one of the state’s heaviest caseloads.
While his legal accomplishments are extensive, Judge Bates considers educating young people among the most rewarding aspects of his career. Throughout nearly three decades on the bench, he regularly visited schools, civic groups, and community organizations to teach about law, government, and citizenship. He especially valued opportunities to engage students in meaningful discussion and critical thinking. Judge Bates often encouraged students to consider not just what the law says, but why fairness, responsibility, and empathy matter within society.
Beyond the courtroom, Judge Bates remained deeply involved in community and church life. He served on local boards and organizations, taught Sunday School, and remained active in civic affairs throughout the region. His devotion to family remained central through every season of life. Together, Stephen and Lynn raised two sons, Stephen II and Justin, while later embracing the joy of grandparenthood with the birth of granddaughter Mallie Lynn Bates. Judge Bates shares that becoming a grandfather profoundly deepened his compassion and perspective, especially toward children and families who appeared before his court.
Reflecting on his long career, Judge Bates considers the greatest honor of his profession to be presiding over hundreds of adoptions, helping unite loving families with children in need. It is a responsibility he remembers with immense gratitude and humility.
Judge Stephen L. Bates’ life story is one of service, resilience, leadership, and integrity. From the halls of Grant County High School to courtrooms across Kentucky, he has carried with him the values of his community and family. His influence continues to be felt through the countless lives he has impacted as a judge, mentor, educator, veteran, attorney, and citizen.
Grant County Schools is proud to recognize Judge Stephen L. Bates as a Distinguished Alumni recipient whose life and legacy exemplify the very best of Grant County.