12 apply for Shawnee County judgeship

TOPEKA—Twelve local attorneys have applied to fill a vacancy on the Shawnee County District Court that will be created by the August 31st retirement of Judge Daniel Mitchell.

Applying by Friday's deadline that was set by the 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission were: Ardith Smith-Woertz, Duston J. Slinkard, Fred C. Patton, Mary E. Mattivi, Derenda J. Mitchell, Joe R. Little, Kimberly L. Knoll, Jason E. Geier, Lee J. Davidson, James E. "Jeb" Benfer, Brett W. Berry, and Athena E. Andaya.

The seven-member Nominating Commission is scheduled to conduct interviews of the applicants September 5, beginning at 10 a.m. The interviews are open to the public. Members of the Nominating Commission include: Justice Marla J. Luckert, non-voting Commission Chair, and members Lee R. Barnett, Terry E. Beck, Thomas G. Lemon, Toby L. McCullough, Joline C. Miller, and C. Patrick Woods.