Beth Lewis Maze

A Career of Public Service

Beth Maze is a distinguished attorney, former circuit judge, and public servant with more than 30 years of leadership in Kentucky’s legal system. She is widely recognized for her commitment to justice, judicial reform, and public service, making history as the first female Circuit Judge in Kentucky’s 21st Judicial Circuit, serving Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, and Rowan Counties.

Legal and Judicial Leadership

Born in Lexington and raised in Benton, Kentucky, Maze was inspired by her father, a trial attorney and state representative, and her mother, an elementary school principal. She earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Kentucky before receiving her Juris Doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

She began her career in the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office before joining Northeast Kentucky Legal Services, where she represented underserved clients and later became the organization’s first Pro Bono Coordinator. In 1993, she became the first female Assistant Commonwealth Attorney in the 21st Judicial Circuit before opening her own practice and being appointed Circuit Judge in 2000.

As Chief Circuit Judge from 2009 to 2018, Maze managed one of the region’s busiest court dockets while overseeing judicial administration across the circuit. She also founded the Montgomery County Drug Court, championing treatment-based alternatives that helped individuals struggling with substance use disorders.

Recognition and Lasting Impact

Beyond the courtroom, Maze played an active role in shaping Kentucky’s judicial system through service on numerous Kentucky Supreme Court committees. Her leadership also earned international recognition through U.S. State Department and East-West Center leadership programs in the Middle East and Hawaii.

Throughout her career, Beth Maze has received numerous awards for her contributions to the legal profession, child advocacy, and public service. Today, she is recognized as a trailblazer in Kentucky’s legal community and a lifelong advocate for fairness, integrity, and access to justice.