TOPEKA—The 2nd Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a judge vacancy in the 2nd judicial district, which includes Jackson, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee counties.
The vacancy was created by the death of District Court Judge Micheal A. Ireland.
Justice Marla Luckert, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 2nd judicial district, said nominees can apply or be recommended, but recommendations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee’s signature.
“Selecting judges 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,” Luckert said.
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.
Recommendations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk’s office in each of the district’s courts: Jackson County District Court in Holton; Jefferson County District Court in Oskaloosa; Pottawatomie County District Court in Westmoreland; and Wabaunsee County District Court in Alma. 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 must be submitted no later than noon, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, to:
J. Richard Lake
Commission Secretary
110 W. 5th Street
Holton, KS 66436
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.
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 mailed to every active attorney in this judicial district by the chairman of the commission.
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.