December 2018 News Releases

	12/28/2018 Kansas Supreme Court establishes policy to give employees paid parental leave TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court announced today it has established policy to give judicial branch employees six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child."To effectively compete for employees, the judicial branch must offer benefits and pay comparable to what is currently available on the job market," said ...
	12/17/2018 New chief judge appointed for 16th Judicial District TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court has appointed District Judge E. Leigh Hood as chief judge of the 16th Judicial District from January 1 through December 31, 2019.Hood will succeed Chief Judge Van Hampton, who is retiring.The 16th Judicial District is composed of Clark, Comanche, Ford, Gray, Kiowa, and Meade counties."We are glad that ...
	12/10/2018 Sedgwick County District Judge John Kisner Jr. to retire TOPEKA—Sedgwick County District Judge John Kisner Jr. will retire January 14, 2019, after more than 15 years on the bench.Kisner was appointed to fill a judge vacancy in the 18th Judicial District, which is composed of Sedgwick County, in July 2003. He currently is assigned to the criminal division. Kisner previously served as presiding judge ...
	12/07/2018 Law student joins Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program board TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed Kyler Wineinger to the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Board.Wineinger, of Tribune, is a student at Washburn University School of Law, Topeka. He will serve a six-year term ending June 30, 2024.The Supreme Court created the Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program to help lawyers seek treatment for physical or ...
	12/04/2018 District Judge David Rogers to sit with Kansas Supreme Court December 12 TOPEKA—District Judge David Rogers of the 31st Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's December 12 docket. After hearing oral arguments, Rogers will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and decision drafting.“I am pleased that District ...
	12/04/2018 District Judge David Debenham to sit with Kansas Supreme Court December 11 TOPEKA—District Judge David Debenham of the 3rd Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear one case on the court's December 11 docket. After hearing the case, Debenham will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and decision drafting.“I am pleased that District Judge Debenham is ...
	12/03/2018 Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilbert to retire TOPEKA—Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilbert will retire January 11, 2019, after 24 years on the bench.Wilbert currently is the presiding judge in the civil department of the 18th Judicial District, which is composed of Sedgwick County. He also oversees the district's drug court."I have enjoyed presiding over complex cases ...
	12/03/2018 With exceptions, state courts to close Wednesday for national day of mourning TOPEKA--With some exceptions, state courts will close Wednesday, December 5, to observe a national day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush, in concurrence with actions taken by the federal government and Governor Jeff Colyer.In its order observing the day of mourning, the Kansas Supreme Court gave chief judges of each of the state' ...