Judge Sarah E. Warner

Judge Sarah E. Warner grew up in Pittsburg. She earned four undergraduate degrees at the University of Kansas and attended law school in Michigan, graduating magna cum laude. After serving as the sole chambers attorney of the chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, she entered private practice in Lawrence, where she worked until her appointment to the Court of Appeals. She also has taught as an adjunct professor at Washburn Law School since 2009.

 

Current term

January 2021–January 2025

Appointed to court 2019

 

Judicial experience

2019-present, judge, Court of Appeals

 

Previous professional experience

2009-present, adjunct professor, Washburn University School of Law

2009-19, attorney/partner, Thompson Warner, Lawrence

2006-09, chambers counsel for Chief Justice Robert E. Davis, Kansas Supreme Court

 

Education

Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, Michigan, J.D. magna cum laude, 2006

• Senior editor, Ave Maria Law Review

• Received school's top award given to a law school graduate, based on academics, activities, and character

University of Kansas, B.A. with honors and distinction, French, international studies, mathematics, and political science, 2003

• University Scholar

• First president, Margaret Amini Scholarship Hall

St. Mary's-Colgan High School, Pittsburg, 1998

• National Merit Scholar

• Co-valedictorian of graduating class

 

Professional memberships and activities

Kansas Bar Association

• President, 2018-19

• Board of Governors, District 2, 2015-18

• President, Young Lawyers section, 2014-15

Kansas Women Attorneys Association

National Association of Women Judges

Kansas Association of Defense Counsel

• Past president

Douglas County Bar Association

• Past president

Douglas County Law Library Board of Trustees

• Past president

Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court

Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys, 2014-19

 

Awards and honors

Washburn University School of Law Adjunct Professor of the Year, 2018

Ingram Magazine's "40 Under Forty" list of young professionals, 2019

Kansas Association of Defense Counsel's Distinguished Service Award, 2019

Kansas Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2015

Kansas and Missouri Super Lawyers (multiple years before appointment to the bench)

 

Community, civic, and charitable activities

University of Kansas Honors Program Alumni Advisory Board

Cantor and director of parish folk music group, Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa

Life Time Lenexa Triathlon Team

 

Additional information

Born in Overland Park and raised in Pittsburg.

Has completed two half-Ironman triathlons.

She and her husband, Brandon, live in Lenexa.