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Assistant County Attorney credits her start to �山����

By Rachel Adkins
July 23, 2026

The education Kaitlin Stewart received at �山���� helped launch her career in public service, leading her to become an assistant county attorney.

After completing an associate degree in criminal justice at �山����, Stewart began working with the Lewis County Attorney’s Office as an intern in 2021.

“My criminal justice degree gave me a head start because I came into law school already understanding how the criminal justice system functions. I wasn’t learning the basic structure from the beginning—I already understood the roles of law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and corrections in depth,” Stewart said.

Within the year, she was practicing with a limited license under the guidance of her boss. This continued until she became fully licensed as an attorney at law in 2024.

She continued, “That foundation allowed me to focus on developing the legal and courtroom skills necessary to be an effective prosecutor, while also giving me a better appreciation for fairness, ethics, and the impact our decisions have on the community.”

Since entering her career, Stewart has worked on several cases that resonate with her. She noted one that involved horses.

“One that sticks out most was an animal abuse case involving horses. Our sheriff’s department received a report concerning the horses. After investigation, it was found that at least one horse had perished due to lack of food and water, with multiple other horses nearing the same fate,” Stewart recalled.

With the support of her coworkers and the Kentucky Humane Society, Stewart was able to secure a safe place for the remaining horses to go.

“People won’t remember whether you won every case or every trial. They’ll remember your integrity, your work ethic, and how you treated others,” she said. “�山���� was my biggest stepping stone in developing those qualities before starting my career as an attorney. From the professors I had to the advisors, each one knew specifically how to help my best interests and goals. I hope people see someone who stood up for those who needed a voice, treated others with respect, and never lost sight of the fact that behind every case file is a human being.”

For more information on the criminal justice program at �山����, visit the Criminal Justice Program page.