Chief justice appoints members to Kansas Judicial Council

TOPEKA—Chief Justice Marla Luckert appointed Chief Judge Patricia Macke Dick to a four-year term on the Kansas Judicial Council and reappointed three other members.

Macke Dick serves in the 27th Judicial District, which is Reno County. She will serve on the council from July 1 through June 30, 2025.

Reappointed to four-year terms ending June 30, 2025, were:

• Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Hill;

• F. James Robinson Jr., Wichita attorney; and

• Sarah Bootes Shattuck, Ashland attorney.

Macke Dick succeeds Chief Judge Kim Cudney on the council. Cudney serves in the 12th Judicial District, composed of Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic, and Washington counties. Her term ends June 30.

The Legislature created the Kansas Judicial Council to study the judicial branch of government and recommend improvements in the administration of justice. The council undertakes studies in many areas of law and may accept assignments from the Legislature and the Kansas Supreme Court.

Work may involve drafting legislation and court rules, writing books and manuals, publishing forms used in legal proceedings, preparing jury instructions, and making reports and recommendations.

The chief justice of the Supreme Court appoints eight of its 10 members. The chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees are also members.

Luckert chairs the council. Other members are:

• Chief Judge Amy Harth of the 6th Judicial District, composed of Bourbon, Linn, and Miami counties.

• Sen. Kellie Warren, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee;

• Rep. Fred Patton, chair of the House Judiciary Committee;

• Victor Braden, Topeka attorney; and

• Joseph Jeter, Hays attorney.