Joseph White, Clay County Attorney

About Us

Welcome To The

Clay County Attorney's Office

Proudly Serving the Citizens of Clay County, Kentucky

The Clay County Attorney’s office has many responsibilities. We prosecute misdemeanor crimes (crimes which are punishable by one year in jail or less) and violations (crimes punishable by fines, but no jail time) that occur within Clay County, Kentucky.

In addition, the Clay County Attorney’s office prosecutes all juvenile cases, except under the exceptional circumstances when a juvenile offender is tried as an adult. Our office also serves as the legal advisor to the Clay County Fiscal Court and drafts county ordinances.

The Clay County Attorney’s office is also responsible for collecting delinquent property taxes in Clay County.

Meet Joe White

County Attorney • Clay County, Kentucky

Joe White is a lifelong resident of Clay County. He obtained his undergraduate bachelors degree from the University of Kentucky and his law degree from Northern Kentucky University-Chase College of Law.

Joe has been practicing law since 2003 and has served as Clay County Attorney since 2018. In addition to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, he is licensed to practice law in the United States District Court and the United States Supreme Court.

During his tenure as Clay County Attorney, Joe has served on the transition teams both for former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and current Attorney General Russell Coleman.

Staff Joe White

James "Tee" Pennington

First Assistant County Attorney

As a native of Manchester, Tee graduated from Clay County High School in 1998. He then continued his education at Eastern Kentucky University, beginning at the Manchester Regional Campus and then graduating with honors and earning a Bachelors of Arts degree. Tee went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law University in 2014. He was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky State Court that same year & Kentucky Eastern and Western District Federal Court in 2015.

Tee began his legal career as an Associate Attorney again here in Manchester working for the then law firm of Morgan Madden Brashear Collins & Yeast (Now Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer) representing friends and neighbors in state and federal Worker’s Compensation and Social Security claims. Tee then relocated to Lexington and transitioned to a Law Partner in Bluegrass Law Group while also teaching fulltime as a Professor in the Paralegal Department at his alma mater EKU for 7 years. 3 years ago, Tee made the decision to get back in the courtroom full time by making a lateral move to Cooley Iuliano Robey. There, he managed a criminal law practice as well as contracted with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy to provide the entire public defender coverage for District and Circuit Courts in both Clinton and Cumberland counties & for 6 months the entire 40th Judicial Circuit.

Tee left the defense side of the bar to join the Clay County Attorney’s Office in late December of 2024. One of the most appealing factors for him joining our office was, “Having the blessing and opportunity to serve and help all the wonderful residents of Clay County, my home. I truly aspire to help make Clay County a better place for future generations.” Tee and his wife and best friend, Sandy, both reside here in Clay County with their 2 spoiled Golden-Doodles, Scarlett & Daisy.

Staff james tee pennington

Meet Mariah Aubrey

Assistant County Attorney
Staff Mariah

Meet Richard Couch

Assistant County Attorney

I’ve prosecuted for sixteen years and have a proven record of working for justice. I am a former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and currently serve as an Assistant Clay County Attorney. I also served my country in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, multiple state deployments and continue to serve as a Colonel in the Kentucky Army National Guard.

Education

Leslie County High School (1987) • University of Kentucky (BA 1991, Political Science) • Eastern Kentucky University (College of Law Enforcement, MS, 1993) • St. Mary’s University, College of Law (JD, 1997) • Admitted to the Kentucky Bar (May 1, 1998) • Licensed to Practice Law by Supreme Court of Tennessee (January 8, 2010) • Licensed to practice law in West Virginia (February 11, 2015)

Military Experience

Colonel, Kentucky Army National Guard (HHD, JFHQ) • Staff Judge Advocate and certified Military Judge.

Awards

Kentucky State Active Duty Ribbon • Kentucky Commendation Award • Overseas Service Ribbon • Reserve Component Service Medal with M Device • Army Service • National Defense Service Medal • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal • Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star • Meritorious Service Medal • Meritorious Unit Citation • Army Commendation Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters • Army Achievement Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf clusters • Army Commendation Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster • Army Achievement Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster • State Partnership Award

Organizations

Free and Accepted Masons, Clay Lodge #798, past master, Deputy District Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Kentucky, District #26, 2009-2010, Committee on trial oversight Scottish Rite, 32 degree Shriner, Oleika Shrine, Lexington, Kentucky Veterans of Foreign Wars, Manchester VFW Post #7606 National Guard Association of the United States and Kentucky County Attorneys Association

Staff Richie

Meet James Wooton

Assistant County Attorney

James Wooton graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in political science and a minor in history. In 2001, he was Runner-Up for the Vandenbosch Award, an award given annually to UK’s top political science Senior. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was the recipient of the Ashland, Inc. Legal Scholarship.

He was admitted to the practice of law in Kentucky in 2006 and established his own practice that same year. He served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in 2007 and 2008, and then returned full time to his private practice. He returned to prosecuting in 2017 and has been a prosecutor ever since. He is currently an Assistant County Attorney for Clay and Leslie Counties and administers the Rocket Docket program for those Counties. In addition to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, he is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Staff James

Our Support Staff

Deborah Gibson
Deborah Gibson

Executive Administrative Assistant

Staff skylar ferrell
Skylar Ferrell

Victim Advocate

Staff Debra Berry Bays
Debra Berry Bays

Paralegal II

Staff Mike Birch
Michael Birch

Administrative Specialist