7th Judicial District Nominating Commission sends candidate names to governor

TOPEKA—The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission sent the names of three candidates for district court judge to Gov. Sam Brownback, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Judge Robert W. Fairchild.

The three candidates are:

• Amy J. Hanley, who currently is assistant attorney general within the criminal litigation division with the Kansas Attorney General's Office.

• Shon D. Qualseth, who currently is an attorney with Thompson Ramsdell Qualseth & Warner, P.A.

• Bethany J. Roberts, who currently is an attorney with Barber Emerson, L.C.

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.

The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Eric Rosen as the nonvoting chair; and Ashley P.A. All, Elizabeth S. Cateforis, Michael C. McGrew, Terry L. Smith, Wesley F. Smith, and Catherine C. Theisen, all of Lawrence.