John's father, E. W. Reynolds was a thoroughbred trainer. John grew up spending his summers in Shelby County where he worked mornings on the "backside" of Churchill Downs and the rest of the time working on their horse farm.  

 

John Reynolds moved to Lexington in 1995 to attend UK College of Law.  He continued to assist his father in training horses on the weekends. His first employment in the Lexington legal community was as a law clerk for Don Sturgill's firm, Sturgill, Turner and Truitt. In addition to working as a law clerk, John Reynolds served as a judicial intern for the Fayette District Court while attending UK College of Law. 

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After graduating in 1997, Judge Reynolds continued to work in the Thoroughbred industry as in-house counsel for Payson Stud Mgmt. located on Paris Pike in Fayette County. After several years at Payson, John decided to go out on his own and gained extensive courtroom experience as a trial attorney. John Reynolds married his college "sweetheart" Holly in January of 1995. In 1999, they welcomed their first son and then a second in 2002. In 1999, he rented a vacant law office and hung his sign to become both a local business owner and a member of the 13th Judicial District's legal community. As a trial attorney, John has tried criminal and civil cases for nearly 25 years.

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In December of 2017, John Reynolds was nominated by the seven (7) member Fayette County Judicial Nominating Committee for appointment to the Fayette Circuit Court. He was selected above all others to serve as Fayette Circuit Court Judge for the 3rd Division, replacing the retiring Judge James Ishmael. In March of 2019, John was nominated a second time by the Fayette County Judicial Nominating Committee for the 4th Division, replacing a vacancy created by Judge Pamela Goodwine's election to the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

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In addition to serving as a former Circuit Court Judge, Reynolds was appointed by Judge Olive to be the Garrard County Public Administrator where he served Garrard County for years. He was appointed to the City of Nicholasville's Ethics Committee where he served as Chairman, and has long supported local police departments by previously serving on the Wilmore Police Department's Hiring Committee. He has also served as Treasurer for the Jessamine County Bar Association.

 

As a Circuit Court Judge, John was respected by law enforcement. He became a tireless fighter to help end drug epidemic. His rulings on criminal bonds and probation made the community safer. He is a staunch defender of the Constitution and law and order.