Eight apply for Supreme Court vacancy

TOPEKA—Eight Kansas attorneys applied by the noon deadline today to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court that will be created by the January 12, 2009, retirement of Chief Justice Kay McFarland.

They include Karen Arnold-Burger, Overland Park Municipal Court Judge; Christopher E. Biggs, State Securities Commissioner; W. Daniel Biles, a Shawnee attorney; Dennis D. Depew, a Neodesha attorney; Judge Robert W. Fairchild, Lawrence; Court of Appeals Judge Steve A. Leben, Ward E. Loyd, a Garden City attorney, and Court of Appeals Judge Thomas E. Malone.

Interviews to narrow the applicant list to three nominees are scheduled November 13.  The names of the nominees will be submitted to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for appointment.

Pursuant to Kansas law, Chief Justice McFarland is retiring at the end of her current six-year-term on the Court, where she has been a member since 1977.  The new member of the Court will serve as a justice, and Robert E. Davis will become chief justice as the next most senior member. Chief Justice McFarland has been chief justice since September 1, 1995.