Noble makes the jump into law career

By Cris Richie of the Hazard Herald. Used with permission.

HAZARD Justin Noble learned he had passed the Kentucky Bar exam on Sept. 27. Three days later, he was sworn in and immediately began representing clients.

A native of Knott County, Noble, 27, is currently working at the David Johnson law office on Main Street in Hazard. He will handle cases involving issues such as personal injury, property, and social security, and noted that he will be able to fall back on some experience as he begins his new career.

Noble worked for the Johnson law office full time as a law clerk from 2009 to 2010, and during breaks and summer vacation as he also earned his degree from the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Va., which he did in May.

I was really ready to come and work (after graduation), he said, because I ve been here for so long.

Noble is a 2004 graduate of Cordia High School. He earned an associate s degree from Hazard Community and Technical College before graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor s degree. He said moving back to the region after completing law school was something he had planned to do, and he s happy to begin his career in Eastern Kentucky.

I like it here, and I d like to see more people my generation come back (to Eastern Kentucky), he said.

Noble makes his home in Perry County, where he lives with his wife, Kayla, whom he married in March.