Three nominated for 21st district judge vacancy

TOPEKA—The names of three attorneys were submitted to Gov. Sam Brownback Tuesday as nominees to fill a judge vacancy in the 21st Judicial District, a two-county district consisting of Clay and Riley counties. They include John F. Bosch, Clay Center; and Kendra S. Lewison and Grant Bannister, both of Manhattan.

Applicants for the vacancy, which was created by the retirement of Judge Paul E. Miller, were conducted in Manhattan Monday by the 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission.  former Chief Judge Miller retired effective June 8th.

Lewison has been an assistant Riley County Attorney since March 2010 and before that was of counsel in the law office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP, Kansas City.  She received her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1995, and her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University in 1992.

Bannister has been in private practice in the firm of Knopp & Bannister, PA, in Manhattan, since 1997, when he graduated from the KU law school.  He received his undergraduate degree from Fort Hays State University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Bosch has practiced law in Clay Center either as a solo practitioner or with a partner since 1986. He also served as Clay County Attorney from 1983 to 1991.  He is a 1981 graduate of the KU law school and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1978.

The governor will have 30 days in which to make an appointment.