Hon. Michael G. Adams

Secretary of State, Commonwealth of Kentucky

Michael G. Adams is Kentucky's 86th Secretary of State.

Michael attended Harvard Law School, and worked for Senator Mitch McConnell before serving as Counsel to the U.S. Deputy Attorney General in the second Bush Administration.

In 2007, Michael began private practice in election law, ultimately building a nationwide practice in the field. He has represented several national political committees, numerous national political figures, and statewide campaign efforts in all 50 states. He remains a partner of Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Kaufman LLC.

Sworn in just before the onset of coronavirus, he nevertheless pushed Kentucky’s first Photo ID to Vote requirement into law, and successfully defended it against three court challenges. His work in making it easy to vote and hard to cheat has earned praise throughout America and across party lines. In 2023, Michael sought reelection, and was the top vote getter of all candidates for constitutional office, carrying 118 of 120 counties.

*****

A person listed on this page has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society. In most cases, the biographical information on a person's bio page is provided directly by the person, and the Federalist Society does not edit or otherwise endorse that information. The Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues. All expressions of opinion by a speaker or author are those of the individual.

Foreign Free Speech: Rights at the Water’s Edge

Thursday 12:15 p.m. EDT

CLE 1.25 hours

Ethics 0 hours

Foreign Free Speech: Rights at the Water’s Edge

Free Speech Practice Group

Washington, DC

Speakers:

Topics:

Free Speech & Election Law

In-Person Event
Live Stream

The Election Laws of Kentucky featuring Secretary of State Michael G. Adams

This event has concluded.

Wednesday 12:00 p.m. EDT

The Election Laws of Kentucky featuring Secretary of State Michael G. Adams

Kentucky Student Chapter

University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law
620 South Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506

Speakers:

Topics:

Election Law

In-Person Event

Fair Elections in an Era of Partisanship

Friday 3:00 p.m. EDT

Fair Elections in an Era of Partisanship

2023 National Lawyers Convention

The Mayflower Hotel
1127 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006

Speakers:

Topics:

Election Law • Politics

In-Person Event
Live Stream

Kentucky's Updated Election Laws

This event has concluded.

Wednesday 12:00 p.m. EDT

Kentucky's Updated Election Laws

Kentucky Student Chapter

Sanders Hall
629 S Limestone
Lexington, KY 40508

Speakers:

Topics:

Election Law • Free Speech & Election Law

In-Person Event

True? Or 'Not True'?: Citizens United and the 2010 Elections

This event has concluded.

Thursday 12:00 a.m. EDT

True? Or 'Not True'?: Citizens United and the 2010 Elections

Speakers:

Topics:

Free Speech & Election Law

Nov 6 2025

Click to play: Foreign Free Speech: Rights at the Water’s Edge — Event Videos

Foreign Free Speech: Rights at the Water’s Edge

Michael G. Adams, Robert Kelner, Ryan D. Nelson, Eugene Volokh, Tim Zick

Free Speech Practice Group

It is well-established that the First Amendment protects speech on U.S. soil, whether undertaken by...

Nov 17 2023

Click to play: Fair Elections in an Era of Partisanship — Event Videos

Fair Elections in an Era of Partisanship

Michael G. Adams, Richard Briffault, Michael R. Dimino, Thomas M. Hardiman, Richard H. Pildes, Bradley A. Smith

2023 National Lawyers Convention

Recent years have seen unprecedented controversies about election rules, including mail-in ballots and drop boxes,...

Nov 17 2023

Fair Elections in an Era of Partisanship

Michael G. Adams, Richard Briffault, Michael R. Dimino, Thomas M. Hardiman, Richard H. Pildes, Bradley A. Smith

2023 National Lawyers Convention

Recent years have seen unprecedented controversies about election rules, including mail-in ballots and drop boxes,...

Nov 3 2020

Click to play: Issues in Election Law & Election Integrity — Event Videos

Issues in Election Law & Election Integrity

Michael G. Adams, Brian L. Frye, Rachel Kleinfeld, Thomas E. Travis

2020 Kentucky Chapters Conference

On October 14-15, the Federalist Society's Kentucky lawyers chapters hosted their annual conference via online...

Nov 3 2020

Issues in Election Law & Election Integrity

Michael G. Adams, Brian L. Frye, Rachel Kleinfeld, Thomas E. Travis

2020 Kentucky Chapters Conference

On October 14-15, the Federalist Society's Kentucky lawyers chapters hosted their annual conference via online...