Ten apply for judge vacancy in 2nd judicial district

TOPEKA—Ten candidates applied to the 2nd Judicial District Nominating Commission seeking to fill a judge vacancy in the 2nd judicial district, which includes Jackson, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee counties.

The vacancy was created by the unexpected death of District Court Judge Micheal A. Ireland.

The nominating commission will convene at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 22, in the Jackson County Courthouse in Holton to interview nominees. The meeting will be open to the public.

The 10 candidates are:

• Randy M. Barker, Topeka, who has a private law practice in Holton and is a part-time attorney for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Child Support Services program.

• Chris A. Clements, Andover, who has a private law practice in Wichita.

• Lee J. Davidson, Topeka, who is assistant attorney general in the criminal litigation division of the Office of the Kansas Attorney General.

• Christopher T. Etzel, Havensville, who has a private law practice in Onaga and is City Attorney and City Prosecutor for the City of Onaga.

• Zachary A. King, Hoyt, who is an attorney with Butler & Associates, P.A., in Topeka.

• Norbert C. Marek Jr., Westmoreland, who is Wabaunsee County Attorney.

• Shawna R. Miller, Holton, who has a private law practice in Holton, is Jackson County Attorney, and is municipal judge in the City of Hoyt and the City of Mayetta.

• Alexandria S. Morrissey, Holton, who has a private law practice, is Assistant Jackson County Counselor, and is municipal judge in Wetmore and Corning.

• Thomas Britt Nichols, Wamego, who is director of asset recovery for the Kansas Department of Labor.

• Vivien J. Olsen, St. Marys, who is general counsel for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

Kansas law requires that a judge be a resident of Jackson County at the time of taking the oath and maintain residency in Jackson County while holding office, have actively practiced law as a judge, attorney or full-time teacher at an accredited law school for at least five years, and be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

Kansas law also requires the commission to submit at least two names, but not more than three, to the governor, who will choose one to appoint.

The 2nd Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Marla J. Luckert as the nonvoting chair; and J. Richard Lake, Holton; Edward W. Pugh, Wamego; John D. Watt, Wamego; Charles W. Waugh, Eskridge; David G. Allen, Circleville; Norma J. Dunnaway, Perry; D. Max Fuller, Maple Hill; and Corwin K. Seamans, Manhattan.