TOPEKA—Eighteen attorneys, including three judges, applied by the noon Wednesday deadline for the vacant position on the Court of Appeals created by the April 5 death of Hon. Jerry G. Elliott, Lawrence.
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will convene May 27-28 to conduct interviews, after which the list will be narrowed to three names that will be submitted to the Governor, who will make the appointment.
Those applying include: Judge Karen Arnold-Burger, Overland Park; G. Gordon Atcheson, Overland Park; James A.D. Bartle, Lawrence; Terri L. Bezek, Topeka; Judge David E. Bruns, Topeka; Jeffery L. Carmichael, Valley Center; Henry R. Cox, Shawnee; Sharon L. Dickgrafe, Wichita; Jim D. Garner, Lawrence; T. Richard Harmon, Topeka; Randall L. Hodgkinson, Topeka; Deborah L. Hughes, Lawrence; Laura L. Ice, Wichita; Bruce W. Kent, Manhattan; Kip A. Kubin, Leawood; Judge Guy R. Steier, Clyde; Teresa L. Watson, Topeka, and Michael P. Whalen, Wichita.
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission is chaired by lawyer Anne E. Burke of Overland Park. Others on the Commission include: First Congressional District, Kerry E. McQueen of Liberal (lawyer member) and Dr. Janet A. Juhnke of Salina (lay member); Second Congressional District, Patricia E. Riley of Topeka (lawyer member) and Dale E. Cushinberry (lay member); Third Congressional District, Matthew D. Keenan of Leawood (lawyer member) and Katherine DeBruce of Shawnee Mission (lay member); and Fourth Congressional District, Jay F. Fowler of Wichita (lawyer member) and Paul F. Babich of Wichita (lay member).
Members of the public are encouraged to comment on the qualifications of any of the applicants by writing to Anne E. Burke, c/o Carol G. Green, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, 301 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas. All written comments will be distributed to the full Commission for their review.