New 29th Judicial District chief judge appointed

TOPEKA—The Supreme Court today announced the appointment of Wyandotte County District Judge R. Wayne Lampson as the new chief judge of that district’s 16-member bench.

He is succeeding Hon. Philip R. Sieve, who is retiring effective May 30, 2008. The successor to fill Judge Sieve’s district court judge position has not yet been named, and will be filled by appointment of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius later this summer.

Judge Lampson was appointed district judge in 1995 following the death of Judge David Lamar. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Lampson served as the Wyandotte County Counselor, with responsibility for legal representation of the then-Wyandotte County Commission and county government agencies. He also served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Kansas City, Kansas, was in private practice in Kansas City, Kansas, and served as an Assistant District Attorney.

During his career, Judge Lampson has served as an adjunct professor at Kansas City, KS, Community College and Friends University. Before his appointment to the bench he served as a pro tem judge for Municipal Court and for Wyandotte County District Court. A Winfield native, Judge Lampson earned his law degree at the University of Tulsa law school. His undergraduate degree is from Emporia State University. Judge Lampson is married to Donna Lampson, who works for Deluxe Corporation. He has five adult children, all who live in the metro area.

As chief judge, he will have general management responsibilities in the judicial district, including assigning judicial caseloads and directing all clerical and administrative personnel.