2017 News Releases

	07/31/2019 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission announces candidates for magistrate judge TOPEKA—The 21st Judicial Nominating Commission released the names of the eight people who applied to fill a district court vacancy in Riley County created by the upcoming Aug. 11 retirement of District Magistrate Judge Sheila Hochhauser.The candidates are:Mark J. Hatesohl, ManhattanCole A. Hawver, ManhattanJames R. Kepple, Ness CitySharon M ...
	12/28/2017 Court of Appeals Judge Steve Leben receives American Judges Association honor TOPEKA — Judge Steve Leben of the Kansas Court of Appeals has received the American Judges Association's highest award for contributions to the judiciary.Leben is the 2017 recipient of the Chief Justice Richard W. Holmes Award of Merit, named for the late Kansas Supreme Court chief justice who was one of the founders of AJA.Leben was ...
	12/22/2017 Kansas Supreme Court will require electronic filing in all courts effective June 25, 2018 TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court announced today that it will require attorneys to begin electronically filing documents in all state courts effective June 25, 2018, and that it is taking public comment on rule amendments that advance the efiling requirement.The requirement applies to all Kansas-licensed attorneys who are permitted to ...
	12/22/2017 Court of Appeals Judge Gardner honored by alma mater TOPEKA — Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Kathryn Gardner was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from her alma mater, Geneva College, located in Beaver Falls, Pa.The annual award is given during the college's fall homecoming to alumni "for service above self, who embody the principles for which Geneva College stands, and whose ...
	12/21/2017 Kansas Supreme Court names two new members, reappoints three others to Chief Judges Council TOPEKA — Chief Justice Lawton Nuss appointed Chief Judge Preston Pratt and Chief Judge Joe Dickinson to the Chief Judges Council, which provides the Kansas Supreme Court with ground-level perspective on issues facing Kansas courts.Pratt is chief judge of the 17th Judicial District, which is composed of Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Smith, Graham ...
	12/20/2017 Chief justice reappoints retired judge to Kansas Government Ethics Commission TOPEKA — Chief Justice Lawton Nuss has reappointed Jerome P. Hellmer, a retired judge, to the Kansas Government Ethics Commission. The appointment is for a two-year term that runs through January 2020.Hellmer has served on the ethics commission since January 2015, when he retired as chief judge of the 28th Judicial District, which is composed ...
	12/08/2017 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission submits candidate names for district judge vacancy in Coffey County TOPEKA — The 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of three candidates for district judge to Gov. Sam Brownback, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy created by the November 30 retirement of Coffey County Judge Phillip M. Fromme.The three candidates are:Meghan K. Morgan, Burlington, assistant county ...
	12/05/2017 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview nominees for district judge vacancy in Crawford County TOPEKA — The 11th Judicial Nominating Commission will convene January 18, 2018, to interview nominees to fill a district judge vacancy in Crawford County created by the December 18 retirement of Chief Judge A.J. Wachter. Interviews are open to the public. The times and location of the interviews will be announced later.The 11th Judicial ...
	11/26/2017 Candidate names to be sent to governor for judicial vacancy in Shawnee County TOPEKA — The 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission will send 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 September 30 retirement of Shawnee County District Judge Frank Yeoman Jr.The three candidates are:Lee J. Davidson, Topeka, an ...
	11/17/2017 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission submits new candidate for judge vacancy TOPEKA — The 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the governor the name of Mary E. Christopher as a candidate to fill the position made vacant by the retirement of Shawnee County District Judge Frank Yeoman Jr.Steven M. Roth and Kelly J. Trussell are also candidates for the position.Christopher replaces Lee Davidson, who had ...
	11/16/2017 Kansas Supreme Court reappoints 28 chief judges TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court has reappointed 28 chief judges in Kansas. Their terms are effective January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019.1st Judicial District, composed of Atchison and Leavenworth counties:Chief Judge David King has served as a district judge since 1986 and chief judge since 1990.2nd Judicial District, composed of Jefferson ...
	11/11/2017 Longtime Coffey County judge to retire in November TOPEKA — Chief Judge Phillip M. Fromme, who has served in the 4th Judicial District for 34 years, will retire November 30.Fromme was named a district judge in 1996 and since 2003 has been chief judge of the 4th Judicial District, which is composed of Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, and Osage counties. He has overseen criminal and domestic cases ...
	11/09/2017 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview nominees for district judge vacancy TOPEKA — The 4th Judicial Nominating Commission will convene at 9 a.m. Thursday, December 7, in the Coffey County Courthouse, Burlington, to interview nominees to fill a district judge vacancy in Coffey County created by the November 30 retirement of Chief Judge Phillip M. Fromme.Interviews are open to the public. The 4th Judicial District is ...
	11/07/2017 Six Kansas judges complete course at The National Judicial College TOPEKA — Six judges from Kansas recently completed a two-week general jurisdiction course at The National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada.The course introduces newer judges to a variety of subjects and skills they need in the courtroom. Topics covered include managing a courtroom, managing cases, conducting bench and jury trials, ruling on ...
	11/03/2017 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks to fill district judge vacancy in Crawford County TOPEKA — The 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominees to fill a district judge vacancy in Crawford County created by the December 18 retirement of Chief Judge A.J. Wachter.The 11th Judicial District is composed of Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette counties.Nominees for district judge must be:at least 30 years old;a ...
	11/02/2017 Oliver Kent Lynch appointed chief judge of 11th Judicial District TOPEKA — Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss announced today the Supreme Court has appointed Judge Oliver Kent Lynch to complete the remainder of a vacant term of chief judge in the 11th Judicial District and to serve a full two-year term beginning next year.His appointment begins December 19, and the two-year term is effective January 1, 2018, to ...
	11/02/2017 Thomas Kelly Ryan appointed chief judge of 10th Judicial District TOPEKA—Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss announced today the Supreme Court has appointed Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan to a two-year term as chief judge of the 10th Judicial District, effective January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019.Ryan has served as district judge in the 10th Judicial District since 2008. He presides over a criminal docket in Johnson ...
	11/01/2017 Chief justice uses video link to lecture to troops in Kuwait TOPEKA — In between hearing a week's worth of appellate arguments in his Topeka courtroom, the chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court took time to lecture about ethics to military legal specialists stationed more than 7,000 miles away.Chief Justice Lawton Nuss recently spoke to about 35 U.S. Army personnel in Kuwait by way of video ...
	10/31/2017 Chief judge of 11th Judicial District to retire TOPEKA — Chief Judge A.J. Wachter of the 11th Judicial District has announced his retirement December 18, 2017.Wachter, who oversees the district from the Crawford County Judicial Center in Pittsburg, has been a district court judge since 2002 and chief judge since 2013.The 11th Judicial District is composed of Cherokee, Labette, and Crawford ...
	10/30/2017 Kansas Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments at Sterling College TOPEKA — A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments Tuesday, November 14, in Sterling College's Heritage Hall in Sterling.Judge Kathryn Gardner will be joined by Judges Michael Buser and Gordon Atcheson to hear oral arguments in five cases. Three will be heard starting at 9 a.m. with the remaining two ...
	10/18/2017 Sedgwick County judge appointed to sit with Kansas Supreme Court TOPEKA — District Judge John Kisner Jr. of the 18th Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's October 25 docket. After hearing oral arguments, Kisner will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and decision drafting.“I am pleased that Judge ...
	10/13/2017 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks to fill district judge vacancy in Coffey County TOPEKA — The 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a district judge vacancy in Coffey County created by the upcoming November 30 retirement of Judge Phillip M. Fromme.The 4th Judicial District is composed of Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, and Osage counties.Justice Eric S. Rosen, the Supreme Court departmental ...
	10/12/2017 Kansas Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee member appointed TOPEKA — Marc White of Topeka was appointed to complete a vacant term on the Kansas Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed him to serve through June 30, 2021.The Kansas Child Support Guidelines are rules that judges and hearing officers follow to decide how much child ...
	10/09/2017 Kansas Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments October 17 and 18 at Hugoton Middle School and Keply Middle School, Ulysses TOPEKA—A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments at 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 17, at Hugoton Middle School, and at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 18, at Keply Middle School in Ulysses.The hearings will take place in the school auditoriums in both locations before an audience of area high school students. The public ...
	10/02/2017 Supreme Court issues decision in Case No. 113,267: Luke Gannon, et al v. State of Kansas, et al. The Kansas Supreme Court today issued a decision in Gannon v. State. The court held that the 2017 legislature's new school finance law violated the adequacy and equity requirements of Article 6 of the Constitution of the people of Kansas, which imposes a duty on the legislature to "make suitable provision for finance of the educational ...
	09/27/2017 New attorneys to take state and federal oaths in September 29 ceremonies TOPEKA — Successful applicants to the July 2017 Kansas bar examination will be sworn in as Kansas attorneys in one of two ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 29, in the Supreme Court courtroom at the Kansas Judicial Center, 301 SW 10th Avenue, in Topeka.Chief Justice Lawton Nuss will preside over the Supreme Court, and Judge ...
	09/25/2017 Supreme Court committee to review municipal court practices TOPEKA — An ad hoc committee appointed by the Kansas Supreme Court will review bonding practices, fines, and fees of Kansas' municipal courts to compile a "best practices" model for the courts to follow.The committee will report its findings to the head of the Supreme Court's Office of Judicial Administration and to the ...
	09/22/2017 Civic leader to serve as honorary bailiff at special session of Kansas Supreme Court TOPEKA — Kenneth Buchele's role as a leader and volunteer is well-known in Emporia, which makes him an appropriate choice to serve as honorary bailiff for the Kansas Supreme Court when it convenes for a special session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, at Emporia State University."Without question, Ken is a prime example of a ...
	09/21/2017 Candidates to be interviewed for Shawnee County district judge vacancy TOPEKA — The 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission will interview the 15 attorneys who applied to fill a district judge vacancy in Shawnee County created by the September 30 retirement of District Judge Frank Yeoman Jr., who has served on the bench since 1990.The nominating commission will convene at 9 a.m. Monday, September 25, in room ...
	09/19/2017 Supreme Court announces cases for October 3 special session at Emporia State University TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court announced the two cases it will hear in a special session Tuesday, October 3, at Emporia State University, the next destination in the court's ongoing outreach to familiarize Kansans with the high court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.The court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to ...
	09/18/2017 Supreme Court selects vendor to provide statewide centralized case management system TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court announced today it has selected a vendor to provide a centralized case management system that will allow all district and appellate case data to reside on a single web-based platform and transform the way the state court system serves the people of Kansas.The court selected the Odyssey Case Manager&trade ...
	09/15/2017 Candidates apply for Shawnee County district judge vacancy TOPEKA — Fifteen attorneys have submitted applications to fill the district judge position in the 3rd Judicial District that will become vacant with the September 30 retirement of District Judge Frank Yeoman Jr., who has held the position since 1990.The applicants are:Jay D. Befort, TopekaBrett W. Berry, TopekaMary E. Christopher, Silver ...
	09/13/2017 Sedgwick County judge to retire TOPEKA — Longtime Sedgwick County District Judge Timothy Lahey will retire effective September 14.Lahey was first elected district judge in November 1990 and has been re-elected six times since.A native of Wichita, he is a graduate of Wichita State University and the University of Kansas School of Law.Before becoming a judge, Lahey served as ...
	09/11/2017 Kansas Court of Appeals to mark Constitution Day with session at Washburn University TOPEKA — A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear six cases September 19 at Washburn University as part of the court's observance of Constitution Day.The court will hear cases in two sessions beginning at 9 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. in the Robinson Courtroom at the Washburn University School of Law, 1700 S.W. College ...
	09/11/2017 Kansas Court of Appeals to mark Constitution Day with session at Friends University TOPEKA — A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear five cases September 19 at Friends University in Wichita as part of the court's observance of Constitution Day.The court will hear cases in two sessions beginning at 9 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. in the Marriage and Family Therapy Building, 2100 W. University Ave.Judges G ...
	09/11/2017 Kansas Court of Appeals to mark Constitution Day with session at Kansas State University TOPEKA — A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear six cases September 19 at Kansas State University in Manhattan as part of the court's observance of Constitution Day.The court will hear cases in two sessions beginning at 9 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. in Forum Hall of the KSU Student Union.Judges Melissa Taylor Standridge ...
	09/07/2017 Longtime 20th Judicial District judge to retire TOPEKA — District Judge Ron Svaty, who has served in Ellsworth County in the 20th Judicial District since 2004, will retire Oct. 1.Svaty has spent all but his first year out of law school working in Ellsworth. He clerked for one year for the Alaska Supreme Court following graduation from Stanford University School of Law in 1967.Svaty ...
	09/06/2017 Judge Jack of 11th Judicial District to sit with Kansas Supreme Court Sept. 12 TOPEKA — District Judge Jeffry L. Jack of the 11th Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's September 12 docket.After hearing oral arguments, Jack will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and opinion drafting.“I am pleased that Judge ...
	09/06/2017 Judge Sutherland of 10th Judicial District to sit with Kansas Supreme Court Sept. 14 TOPEKA — District Judge Thomas M. Sutherland of the 10th Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's September 14 docket.After hearing oral arguments, Sutherland will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and opinion drafting."I have asked ...
	09/06/2017 Chief judge appointed for 30th Judicial District TOPEKA — Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss announced the Supreme Court has appointed Judge William R. Mott as chief judge of the 30th Judicial District, effective September 1 through December 31, 2017.Mott has served as district judge in the 30th Judicial District since 2007, presiding over cases primarily in Sumner County.He was appointed to ...
	08/31/2017 Members join Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program board TOPEKA— Two new members were appointed to the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program board, and five members were reappointed.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court announced the appointments.Amy Elliott of Overland Park was appointed to a six-year term ending June 30, 2023. Bryan W. Smith of Topeka was appointed to fill the ...
	08/31/2017 Three lawyers appointed to state disciplinary board TOPEKA — Gregory L. Bauer of Great Bend, Stanley L. DeFries of Topeka, and Derrick L. Roberson of Manhattan were appointed to four-year terms on the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court made the appointments. Their terms end June 30, 2021.In addition, Nuss designated John D. Gatz of ...
	08/30/2017 Continuing education requirements increased for some municipal court judges TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court has adopted a new rule that requires municipal court judges who are not licensed attorneys to complete additional continuing education each year.The rule, effective January 1, 2018, requires the judges to earn 13 hours of continuing judicial education credit each calendar year. At least two of those hours ...
	08/22/2017 Three appointed to child welfare task force TOPEKA — Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed three individuals to the newly created Child Welfare System Task Force.They are Wyandotte County District Judge Daniel Cahill; Mickey Edwards, state director of Kansas Court Appointed Special Advocates, from Emporia; and Alicia Johnson-Turner, a volunteer for the ...
	08/17/2017 Judge reappointed to council overseeing juvenile supervision TOPEKA — Wyandotte County District Judge Delia M. York was reappointed to a four-year term on the Kansas Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed her to a term than ends June 30, 2021.The Kansas Council for Interstate Juvenile Supervision is responsible for overseeing and ...
	08/15/2017 Chief Justice Nuss selects Shawn Jurgensen to fill special counsel position TOPEKA—Chief Justice Lawton Nuss selected Shawn Jurgensen to fill the special counsel to the chief justice position formerly held by Helen Pedigo, who retired June 16 after six and a half years in the position.Jurgensen will begin his new duties September 11."Shawn is bright, attentive, and enthusiastic," Nuss said. "He can ...
	08/15/2017 Ness County magistrate selected for vacancy in Riley County TOPEKA — The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Ness County District Magistrate Judge James R. Kepple to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Riley County.The commission conducted public interviews of applicants for the position Monday, August 14, in Manhattan. Eight people had applied for the opening.Kepple's new ...
	08/14/2017 Supreme Court to conduct special evening session in Emporia TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court will conduct a special evening session October 3 at Emporia State University in Emporia as part of its ongoing outreach to familiarize Kansans with the high court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.The court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to about 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, in Webb ...
	08/10/2017 Long-serving chief judge of 30th Judicial District to retire TOPEKA—Chief Judge Larry T. Solomon, who has served in the 30th Judicial District since 1989, will retire Aug. 31. He has been chief judge since 1991.Solomon has spent his entire legal career based in Kingman. He moved there following graduation from the Washburn University School of Law to join the Wunsch law firm. In addition to his private ...
	08/09/2017 Chief justice appears for jury duty TOPEKA—Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss did what any Kansan should do when summoned to serve on a jury.He showed up.Nuss tweeted a photo of him and Shawnee County District Court jury coordinator Carol Bausch after learning that neither he nor the other potential jurors would be called to serve on Aug. 8 because the defendant ...
	08/03/2017 District Judge Yeoman to retire Sept. 30 TOPEKA—Longtime Shawnee County District Judge Frank Yeoman Jr. will retire Sept. 30.Yeoman was appointed as a district judge for the 3rd Judicial District in 1990. He previously was in private practice, served as administrator and hearing officer for the juvenile court, and was assistant and first assistant district attorney.He currently is ...
	08/03/2017 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks to fill district judge vacancy TOPEKA—The 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a district judge vacancy created by the upcoming Sept. 30 retirement of Judge Frank Yeoman Jr.The 3rd Judicial District is a one-county district composed of Shawnee County.Justice Marla J. Luckert, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the ...
	07/20/2017 Two Court of Appeals judges write chapters for books about fair and unbiased courtrooms TOPEKA—Two Kansas Court of Appeals judges have written chapters in books designed to help judges address bias in their courtrooms and promote fairness.Chief Judge Karen Arnold-Burger co-wrote the chapter "Hearing All Voices: Challenges of Cultural Competence and Opportunities for Community Outreach" in the book "Enhancing ...
	07/18/2017 Appointments made to Supreme Court Permanency Planning Task Force TOPEKA—Six people were appointed to the Supreme Court Permanency Planning Task Force, and a current member was reappointed.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed the members to serve four-year terms from July 1 through June 30, 2021.New members are Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Kathryn Gardner; Norton County ...
	07/18/2017 One new member named, five reappointed to Access to Justice Committee TOPEKA—Vivien Olsen, an attorney in Mayetta, was appointed to a three-year term on the Access to Justice Committee, and five other members were reappointed to serve another three years.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed the six people to terms that began July 1 and end June 30, 2020.Reappointed were:Stephine ...
	07/12/2017 Wichita judge appointed to work with international court TOPEKA—Sedgwick County District Judge Michael Hoelscher was appointed to serve as the Kansas representative to an international court of law that deals with parental child abduction.Hoelscher, who was designated by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court, presides over the family law department of the 18th Judicial District ...
	07/12/2017 Office of Judicial Administration announces new training protocol for judges and attorneys working in juvenile courts TOPEKA—The Office of Judicial Administration has developed a protocol for lawyers and judges who work in juvenile court to complete and report relevant continuing legal education and continuing judicial education, which is now required under state law.When the 2016 Kansas Legislature passed Senate Bill 367 creating and amending state law ...
	07/12/2017 State group honors Osage County judge TOPEKA—District Magistrate Judge Taylor Wine of Osage County received the Lee Nusser Award for Outstanding Magistrate Judge of 2017.The award was presented in June in Topeka at the annual meeting of the Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association.Wine, who serves in the 4th Judicial District, also was re-elected first vice president of ...
	07/07/2017 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission sends candidate names to governor TOPEKA—The 11th Judicial District Nomination Commission on July 6 sent the names of three candidates for Labette County district court judge to Gov. Sam Brownback. The governor has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy created by the July 14 retirement of Labette County District Judge Robert J. Fleming, who has held the position since ...
	07/07/2017 Kansans appointed to Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution TOPEKA—Four new members were appointed to the Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution, and three members were reappointed.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed members to serve from July 1 through June 30, 2020.New members are Johnson County District Judge Keven O'Grady; Lyon County District Judge W. Lee Fowler ...
	07/05/2017 Three members reappointed to committee on child support guidelines TOPEKA—Wyandotte County District Judge Constance Alvey, Charles Harris of Wichita, and Theresa "Trisha" Thomas of Topeka were reappointed to three-year terms on the Kansas Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed them to continue serving from July 1 through June ...
	06/29/2017 Hodgeman County magistrate reappointed to committee TOPEKA—Hodgeman County District Magistrate Judge Kenton Gleason was reappointed to the District Magistrate Judges Certification Committee.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed him to a four-year term ending June 30, 2021.Gleason serves in the 24th Judicial District, which includes Edwards, Hodgeman, Lane, Ness ...
	06/29/2017 Four judges to serve on state judicial committee TOPEKA—Four Kansas judges were appointed to the District Judges Manual Committee.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed them to two-year terms ending June 30, 2019.New members are:Douglas County District Judge Amy HanleyWyandotte County District Judge Jennifer MyersHamilton County District Magistrate Judge Meghan ...
	06/29/2017 Two reappointed to municipal court clerks committee TOPEKA—Deana Scott of Prairie Village and Traci Dockery of Basehor were reappointed to three-year terms on the Municipal Court Clerks Education Committee by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court.They will serve through June 30, 2020.The committee recommends and organizes education and training programs for municipal court ...
	06/28/2017 Four judges appointed to judicial education committee TOPEKA—Olathe Municipal Court Judge Katherine McElhinney and Shawnee Municipal Court Judge Karen Torline were appointed to the Municipal Court Judges Education Committee by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court.Additionally, Baxter Springs Municipal Judge David Hensley and Manhattan Municipal Judge Patrick Caffey were ...
	06/28/2017 Four members reappointed to Language Access Committee TOPEKA—Sedgwick County District Judge Eric Commer, Gove County District Magistrate Judge Brendon Boone, Riley County District Court Administrator DaLanna Nichols, and LuAnn Rivera of Wichita were reappointed to the Language Access Committee.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court reappointed them to three-year terms ending ...
	06/28/2017 Eight judges named to education advisory committee TOPEKA—Seven judges were appointed to the Judicial Education Advisory Committee, and another judge was reappointed to the panel.Appointed to three-year terms ending June 30, 2020, by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court were:Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Steve LebenGeary County District Judge Ryan RosauerAnderson County ...
	06/27/2017 Two members named to Kansas Board of Examiners of Court Reporters TOPEKA—Jennifer Hill, a Wichita attorney, was appointed to a three-year term on the Kansas Board of Examiners of Court Reporters, and Shawnee County Chief Judge Evelyn Z. Wilson was reappointed to serve another three years on the board.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed them to terms that begin July 1, 2017 ...
	06/27/2017 Three members appointed to Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications TOPEKA—District Judge Bradley E. Ambrosier and Terrance J. Campbell were appointed to the Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications, and Susan Lynn was reappointed to the board.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed them to terms that begin July 1, 2017, and end June 30, 2021.Ambrosier is chief judge of the 26th ...
	06/27/2017 Two members reappointed to Client Protection Fund Commission TOPEKA—Beth Love of Dodge City and Thomas E. Hammond II of Overland Park were reappointed to three-year terms on the Client Protection Fund Commission by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court.Their terms begin July 1, 2017, and end June 30, 2020. Hammond, an attorney, currently serves as vice chair. Love is a nonattorney ...
	06/23/2017 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview candidates for district judge TOPEKA—Six attorneys will be interviewed July 6 for the position of Labette County district judge.The 11th Judicial Nominating Commission will convene at 11:30 a.m. July 6. Members will conduct the interviews beginning at 1 p.m. and select three to five nominees to be submitted to the governor, who will then select one of the nominees to be ...
	06/20/2017 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission sends candidate names to governor TOPEKA—The 3rd 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 June 2017 retirement of District Judge Rebecca W. Crotty.The three candidates are:Lee J. Davidson, Topeka, an assistant attorney general in ...
	06/19/2017 Two are elected to Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission TOPEKA—Mikel L. Stout, a Wichita attorney, was elected chair of the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission by attorneys in a statewide election. Stout is a senior partner with Foulston Siefkin of Wichita. He succeeds Anne E. Burke, an attorney in Overland Park, who has served as chair since 2009.Also elected an attorney member of the ...
	06/19/2017 Retiring Labette County judge receives statewide recognition TOPEKA—Labette County District Judge Robert J. Fleming has been recognized by the Kansas District Judges Association for extraordinary leadership and service.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court presented Fleming the Community Outreach and Education Award at the association's meeting during a statewide conference for ...
	06/19/2017 Douglas County judge appointed to state Judges Assistance Committee TOPEKA—Douglas County District Judge Sally D. Pokorny was appointed to a four-year term on the Judges Assistance Committee by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court.Pokorny's term will run from July 1, 2017, through June 20, 2021.The Judges Assistance Committee provides help to any Kansas judge in need due to mental or ...
	06/19/2017 Four members reappointed to Kansas Judicial Council; new member to complete vacated term TOPEKA—Four members of the Kansas Judicial Council were reappointed to four-year terms by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court.Serving until June 30, 2021, are J. Nick Badgerow of Overland Park, Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Stephen D. Hill of Topeka, Geary County District Judge Maritza Segarra of Junction City, and Sarah ...
	06/16/2017 District magistrate judge appointed in Jewell County TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nomination Commission has selected Kevin L. Phillips to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Jewell County. The commission conducted public interviews of applicants for the position Friday, June 16, in Mankato.Phillips, of Mankato, is a lawyer in private practice. His new position as magistrate judge will be ...
	06/16/2017 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview candidates for district judge PARSONS—Eight attorneys have submitted applications to fill the district judge position in the 11th Judicial District, sitting in the District Court of Labette County.The position will become vacant on the July 14, 2017, retirement of District Judge Robert J. Fleming, who has held the position since 1996.The applicants are: Dennis Depew, ...
	06/16/2017 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks candidates for district magistrate judge vacancy TOPEKA—The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy residing in Riley County.    The 21st judicial district includes Clay and Riley ...
	06/14/2017 Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association elects 2017 officers TOPEKA—District Magistrate Judge Douglas Bigge was elected the new president of the Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association.The organization, open to all state district magistrate court judges, elected officers to serve in the fiscal year that begins July 1. Officers were elected at a statewide conference for judges conducted in Topeka ...
	06/13/2017 Kansas District Judges Association elects new officers TOPEKA — The Kansas District Judges Association, an organization open to all state district court judges, has elected officers to serve the organization in the fiscal year that begins July 1.Judge Robert J. Frederick was elected president. He is a judge in the 25th Judicial District, composed of Finney, Greeley, Hamilton, Kearny, Scott, and ...
	06/13/2017 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview candidates for district judge in Topeka TOPEKA—The 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission will interview the nine attorneys who applied to fill a district court vacancy in Shawnee County created by the June 2017 retirement of District Judge Rebecca W. Crotty.The candidates are:Jay D. Befort, TopekaLee J. Davidson, TopekaDarian P. Dernovish, TopekaJessica G. Domme ...
	06/12/2017 Wichita attorney reappointed to Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission TOPEKA—David H. Moses of Wichita was reappointed to a three-year term on the Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed Moses to serve from July 1 through June 30, 2020.Moses has served on the commission since 2014. The commission oversees continuing legal education ...
	06/07/2017 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview candidates for district magistrate judge TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene at 9 a.m. Friday, June 16, in the Jewell County District Court courthouse to interview candidates to fill a district magistrate judge position in Jewell County.Interviews are open to the public. The courthouse is located at 307 N Commercial in Mankato.The 12th Judicial ...
	06/06/2017 Retired judge reappointed to Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel TOPEKA—Retired judge Fred S. Jackson has been reappointed to a four-year term on the Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court appointed Jackson to serve from July 1, 2017, until June 30, 2021. He is a retired district judge from Shawnee County.The Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel serves as an ...
	06/05/2017 Judge Yeoman reappointed to Kansas Guardianship Program board TOPEKA—Shawnee County District Judge Frank J. Yeoman Jr. was reappointed to a two-year term to the board of directors of the Kansas Guardianship Program. His term will run from July 1 to June 30, 2019.The appointment was made by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court.Yeoman currently serves as chair of the board. The Kansas ...
	06/05/2017 Overland Park lawyer reappointed to Attorney Admissions Review Committee TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court has reappointed James D. Oliver to a three-year term on the Attorney Admissions Review Committee.Oliver will serve until June 30, 2020.The committee, composed of three practicing attorneys, reviews applications of individuals seeking to practice law in the state and makes recommendations to the Kansas Board of ...
	05/31/2017 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview candidates for district magistrate judge TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene June 16 in the Jewell County District Court courthouse to interview candidates to fill a district magistrate judge position in Jewell County.The courthouse is located at 307 N Commercial in Mankato. Interviews are open to the public and they will begin at a time to be ...
	05/23/2017 Executive director of Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program to receive Topeka group’s award TOPEKA—Anne McDonald, whose 37-year career has spanned the legal system, is this year's recipient of the Justice Kay McFarland Award presented by the Women Attorneys Association of Topeka.McDonald will be presented the award at the organization's Just Desserts fundraiser on June 1.McDonald is executive director of the Kansas Lawyers ...
	05/23/2017 New member appointed to Kansas Board of Law Examiners TOPEKA—Patrick B. Hughes, a Wichita attorney, has been named to a five-year term on the Kansas Board of Law Examiners by the Kansas Supreme Court.He will succeed Kevin F. Mitchelson, whose term expires June 30.Hughes will serve July 1 through June 30, 2022. He is an attorney with Adams Jones Law Firm PA of Wichita. He earned a law degree in ...
	05/19/2017 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks candidates to fill district judge vacancy TOPEKA—The 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a district judge vacancy created by the June 19 retirement of Judge Rebecca Crotty.The 3rd judicial district is a one-county district composed of Shawnee County.Justice Marla J. Luckert, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 3rd judicial ...
	05/19/2017 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks nominees to fill judge vacancy TOPEKA—The 11th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominees to fill a district judge vacancy in Labette County created by the July 14, 2017, retirement of Judge Robert Fleming.The 11th judicial district is composed of Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette counties.Candidates for district judge must be a lawyer admitted to practice ...
	05/18/2017 District Judge Rebecca Crotty to retire TOPEKA – District Judge Rebecca Crotty will retire June 19 after serving seven years on the bench.Judge Crotty was appointed in 2010 to Division 1 of the 3rd Judicial District, which is composed of Shawnee County. She previously served as chief judge of the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals and as a district magistrate judge in Finney County. She ...
	05/10/2017 District Magistrate Judge Sheila Hochhauser to retire MANHATTAN – District Magistrate Judge Sheila P. Hochhauser will retire Aug. 11 after nearly 20 years of public service in Kansas.Judge Hochhauser has been a magistrate judge in Riley County, in the 21st Judicial District of Kansas, since 2007. She previously served eight years in the Kansas House of Representatives and taught business law for ...
	05/09/2017 Jenifer Ashford named magistrate judge in Johnson County TOPEKA—The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Jenifer Ashford to fill a magistrate judge vacancy created by the May 2017 retirement of Judge Michael H. Farley.The 10th judicial district is composed of Johnson County.The commission conducted public interviews of applicants for the position Monday, May 8, in Johnson ...
	05/08/2017 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks nominees for magistrate judge vacancy TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy sitting in Jewell County, although the incumbent may be given assignments anywhere in the district.     The 12th judicial district includes Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic and Washington counties ...
	04/26/2017 Chief Judge Dickinson of 9th judicial district to sit with Kansas Supreme Court May 3 TOPEKA — Chief Judge Joe Dickinson of the 9th judicial district has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's 9 a.m. docket Wednesday, May 3.     After hearing oral arguments, Dickinson will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and opinion drafting ...
	04/21/2017 New attorneys take state and federal oaths in April 28 ceremony TOPEKA — Successful applicants to the February 2017 Kansas bar examination will be sworn in as Kansas attorneys in one of two ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 28, in the Supreme Court courtroom at the Kansas Judicial Center, 301 SW 10th Avenue, in Topeka.      Chief Justice Lawton Nuss will preside over ...
	04/19/2017 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview candidates for district magistrate judge TOPEKA—The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission selected six attorneys to interivew to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Johnson County created by the May 2017 retirement of Judge Michael H. Farley.  The attorneys selected are: Jenifer Ashford Christopher Kopecky Alex McCauley Wayne Smith  ...
	04/11/2017 Kansas Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments April 18 at Washburn University School of Law TOPEKA— A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments April 18 in Robinson Courtroom of Washburn University School of Law in Topeka.Judge David Bruns will be joined by Judges Stephen Hill and Kim Schroeder to hear oral arguments in six cases. Three will be heard starting at 9:30 a.m. and the remaining three ...
	03/28/2017 Cowley County District Court chief clerk Marilyn Leith to bring audience to order for Supreme Court special session TOPEKA—Marilyn Leith has had a wide variety of duties in her 31 years working for the Cowley County District Court, including acting as bailiff in a few trials, but she will experience a first when she serves as bailiff for a special session of the Kansas Supreme Court at Southwestern College in Winfield this week."I'm honored and a ...
	03/15/2017 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks nominees for magistrate judge vacancy TOPEKA—The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Johnson County created by the May 2017 retirement of Judge Michael H. Farley.A district magistrate judge must be:a graduate of a high school or secondary school or the equivalent;a resident of Johnson County at the time ...
	03/13/2017 Labette County District Judge Robert J. Fleming to retire July 14 TOPEKA—Labette County District Judge Robert J. Fleming will retire July 14, after 21 years on the bench."It has been my honor and privilege to have served as a district court judge these past 21 years," Fleming said. "I consider the bench the pinnacle of the legal profession. I am grateful to have had the opportunity of service ...
	03/10/2017 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission picks Robert G. Scott to fill magistrate judge vacancy in Johnson County TOPEKA—The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Robert G. Scott to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Johnson County.The commission conducted public interviews of applicants for the position Wednesday, March 8, in Johnson County.Scott, of Lenexa, currently is a Lenexa municipal judge. His new position as magistrate judge ...
	03/09/2017 Johnson County District Magistrate Judge Michael H. Farley to retire May 12 TOPEKA—Johnson County District Magistrate Judge Michael H. Farley will retire May 12, after 18 years on the bench."It has been both a privilege and an honor to serve the people of Johnson County," Farley said.Farley was appointed district magistrate judge in the 10th judicial district in 1999. He served as a municipal judge in ...
	03/08/2017 Chief Judge Wurst of 25th judicial district to sit with Kansas Supreme Court March 15 TOPEKA — Chief Judge Wendel W. Wurst of the 25th judicial district has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's 9 a.m. docket Wednesday, March 15. After hearing oral arguments, Wurst will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and opinion drafting.“I am pleased ...
	03/07/2017 Supreme Court announces cases for March 30 special session at Southwestern College in Winfield TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court announced the two cases it will hear in a special session Thursday, March 30, at Southwestern College, the next destination in the court's ongoing outreach to familiarize Kansans with the high court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.The court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to about ...
	03/07/2017 Chief justice to give State of Kansas Judiciary address March 15 in House chamber TOPEKA—Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss will deliver his 2017 State of the Kansas Judiciary address to a joint session of the Legislature at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in the House chamber of the Statehouse.Nuss will update members of the House and Senate — as well as the public — on the current state of Kansas ...
	03/07/2017 Kansas Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments March 21 at Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library TOPEKA—A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments March 21 at Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene.Chief Judge Karen Arnold-Burger will be joined by Judges Michael B. Buser and Anthony J. Powell to hear oral arguments in six cases starting with the first at 9 a.m. The remaining five cases are ...
	03/02/2017 Kansas Supreme Court issues decision in adequacy portion of school funding case TOPEKA— The Kansas Supreme Court today issued a unanimous decision in Gannon v. State, holding that the Kansas K-12 public education financing system does not meet the adequacy requirements of the people's constitution. The court stayed the enforcement of its decision until June 30, 2017, to give the state Legislature time to respond.If ...
	02/17/2017 Supreme Court to conduct special evening session March 30 at Southwestern College TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court will conduct a special evening session March 30 at Southwestern College in Winfield as part of its ongoing outreach to familiarize Kansans with the high court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.The court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to about 8 p.m. Thursday, March 30, in the Richardson ...
	02/15/2017 Kansas Supreme Court observes National Court Reporting and Captioning Week February 11-18 TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court issued a proclamation today recognizing February 11 through 18 as National Court Reporting and Captioning Week and encouraged all Kansans to join the state court system in its observance of the week."In ancient Egypt, scribes were considered the literate elite, recording laws and other important documents, ...
	02/03/2017 Supreme Court issues decision in Gleason case TOPEKA—A divided Kansas Supreme Court today upheld by a vote of 4-3 the death sentence of Sidney J. Gleason in a capital murder case involving a 2004 double homicide in Barton County.Gleason was convicted of killing Darren Wornkey and his girlfriend, Mikiala "Miki" Martinez, in what prosecutors charged was an attempt to threaten ...
	02/02/2017 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview candidates for district magistrate judge TOPEKA—The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene at 1 p.m., February 22, 2017, at the Johnson County Administrative Building in Olathe to review applications. On March 8, 2017, the nominating commission will meet to conduct interviews and select the judge. The time and place for this meeting will be posted on the ...
	01/19/2017 Judge Weingart of 22nd judicial district to sit with Kansas Supreme Court January 25 TOPEKA — Judge John L. Weingart of the 22nd judicial district has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to review one case on the court's summary calendar the final day of its January docket. Weingart will join Supreme Court justices January 25 as they deliberate a case on their summary calendar, and he will participate in ...
	01/10/2017 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission seeks nominees for magistrate judge vacancy TOPEKA—The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Johnson County created by the March 2017 retirement of Judge Linda S. Trigg.A district magistrate judge must be a graduate of a high school or secondary school or the equivalent; be a resident of Johnson County at the ...