TOPEKA—The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a judge vacancy in Douglas County that was created by the retirement of District Court Judge Michael J. Malone.
Justice Eric Rosen, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 7th Judicial District, said nominees can apply or be recommended, but recommendations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee’s signature.
“This is an open process to find the most qualified candidates in the district, so if a community member knows someone ideally suited for the job, he or she should encourage that person to apply, or volunteer to recommend him or her,” Rosen said.
Kansas law requires that a judge be a resident of the district, be at least 30 years old, have actively practiced law for at least five years, and be admitted to practice law in Kansas.
Recommendations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk’s office in the Douglas County District Court. The form is also available from the clerk of the appellate courts at the Judicial Center in Topeka and on the Kansas Judicial Branch website.
Completed nomination forms and supporting letters are to be sent to Elizabeth S. Cateforis, University of Kansas School of Law, 1535 West 15th, Room 409, Lawrence, KS 66045, no later than noon, Friday, August 22.
The nominating commission will convene at 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 23, in the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, Lawrence, to interview nominees. The meeting will be open to the public.
Kansas law requires the commission to submit at least two names, but not more than three, to the governor, who will choose one to appoint.
Notice of this vacancy was sent to every attorney in this judicial district by the chairman of the commission.
The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Eric Rosen as the nonvoting chair; and Elizabeth S. Cateforis, Shon A. Qualseth, Wesley F. Smith, Ashley P.A. All, Michael C. McGrew, and Terry L. Smith, all of Lawrence.