2012 News Releases

	12/10/2012 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview nominees TOPEKA—The 10th Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission will convene January 18, 2013 to interview and select nominees for submission to the Governor to fill two district judge vacancies due to the retirements of the Honorable Thomas Bornholdt and the Honorable John P. Bennett.Interested persons may obtain nomination forms on-line at ...
	12/07/2012 WU Law's former dean to receive Supreme Court Justice Award TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court will meet in a special session at 1:30 P.M. Friday, December 14, 2012, to present its Justice Award to Washburn University School of Law Professor James M. Concannon.Concannon served as dean of the law school from 1988-2001, and has served as a Distinguished Professor of Law since then. Before serving as law ...
	11/30/2012 Names of three Court of Appeals nominees delivered to governor TOPEKA—The names of two attorneys in private practice and a Sedgwick County district judge were submitted to Gov. Sam Brownback late Friday afternoon as nominees to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeals that was created by the October 7, 2012, death of Judge Richard D. Greene.Nominated were Dennis Depew, a Neodesha attorney; Stephen M ...
	11/19/2012 Nominating commission schedules interviews TOPEKA—The Supreme Court Nominating Commission announced today that interviews to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeals that was created by the October death of Chief Judge Richard Greene will be conducted on November 30th. The Commission will interview five new applicants, plus four others who were among those already interviewed for an ...
	11/15/2012 25 apply for second COA vacancy TOPEKA—The Supreme Court Nominating Commission today submitted the names of two attorneys and a judge to Gov. Sam Brownback for appointment to a vacancy on the Court of Appeals that will be created by the January 14, 2013, retirement of Judge Christel E. Marquardt.Nominated following interviews that were conducted Tuesday and Wednesday at the ...
	11/05/2012 Court of Appeals interviews scheduled Nov. 13-14 TOPEKA—The Supreme Court Nominating Commission has scheduled public interviews of 20 attorneys, who have applied for a vacancy on the state Court of Appeals that will occur January 2, 2013, when Judge Christel E. Marquardt's retirement is effective.The interviews will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 13-14, in the ...
	10/25/2012 Chief Judge Wurst honored TOPEKA—Chief Judge Wendel Wurst, Garden City, has been awarded the Southwest Kansas Bar Association's "Civility Award" in recognition of his civility to attorneys, courtesy to witnesses, and others in the legal process, it was announced in Topeka today.The Southwest Kansas Bar Association noted in presenting the award earlier ...
	10/23/2012 Judge Malone named chief judge of Court of Appeals TOPEKA—The Supreme Court has appointed Judge Thomas E. Malone as chief judge of the Court of Appeals, it was announced in Topeka today.  He succeeds Hon. Richard D. Greene, who died October 7, 2012.A native of Wichita, Chief Judge Malone has been a member of the Court of Appeals since 2003. He has been acting chief judge since Judge ...
	10/12/2012 21 Apply for Court of Appeals Vacancy TOPEKA—Twenty-one Kansas attorneys and judges have applied to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeals that will be created by the January 2, 2013, retirement of Judge Christel E. Marquardt..Interviews for the position will be conducted November 13 and 14th in the Fatzer Courtroom in the Judicial Center in Topeka. The applicant names and ...
	10/09/2012 Court of Appeals chief judge dies TOPEKA—Hon. Richard D. Greene, Chief Judge of the Kansas Court of Appeals, died Sunday at a Cleveland, OH, hospital from complications arising from a heart condition.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss said he and Chief Judge Greene had known each other since the time they were both lawyers. "He possessed two notable abilities that are hard to ...
	10/05/2012 Court upholds medical malpractice cap TOPEKA—A five-member majority of the Kansas Supreme Court today upheld the constitutionality of a Kansas statute limiting a medical malpractice plaintiff's jury award for non-economic damages to $250,000. The Kansas legislature enacted the damages limitation in 1988 as part of an effort to restrict personal injury lawsuits based on a ...
	09/26/2012 Supreme Court to sit at Johnson County Community College TOPEKA—In what is believed to be a historical first in Johnson County, Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss today announced the Kansas Supreme Court will travel to Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, next Wednesday, October 3rd, to hear appeals in four cases pending before the Court.The Court has never presided over appeals within ...
	09/19/2012 Mitchell County district magistrate judge appointed TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission has appointed a Beloit native to fill a vacancy that was created by the retirement of Mitchell County District Magistrate Judge Bonnie J. Wilson, it was announced today.Appointed following interviews that were conducted Tuesday in the Mitchell County Courthouse, Beloit, was Debra J ...
	09/12/2012 Court of Appeals to sit at Kansas State University TOPEKA—A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear four appeals in Manhattan Wednesday, September 19, as part U.S. Constitution Observance Day. The hearings will be conducted in Forum Hall in the Kansas State University Student Union.Court will convene at 1:00 p.m. The appeals are from Pottawatomie, Saline, and Sedgwick ...
	09/12/2012 Court of Appeals to sit at Washburn University TOPEKA—A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear seven appeals in the Robinson Courtroom at Washburn University's School of Law, Tuesday, September 18, as part U.S. Constitution Observance Day.Court will convene in special session in the law school at 9:00 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. to hear appeals from Franklin, Shawnee ...
	09/11/2012 Court of Appeals to sit at Cowley County Community College TOPEKA—A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear cases in Arkansas City Tuesday, September 18, as part of the U.S. Constitution Observance Day. Oral arguments in three of the appeals will be conducted in the Earle N. Wright Community Room in the Brown Center, 125 S. 2nd Street, and three others in the Cowley County ...
	09/11/2012 Court of Appeals to sit at Cloud County Community College TOPEKA—A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear cases in Concordia Tuesday, September 18, as part of U.S. Constitution Observance Day. Oral arguments in two of the cases will be conducted in the Cook Theater at Cloud County Community College and two others at the Cloud County Courthouse.The Court of Appeals hearings at the ...
	09/10/2012 Five apply for Mitchell County district magistrate judge vacancy TOPEKA—Five persons have applied for a district magistrate judge vacancy in Mitchell County that created by the August 1retirement of Judge Bonnie Wilson.Applicants include Debra Joy Gronewoller Wright, Raymore, MO; Kay Marie Strong Prather, Randall; Daniel T. Porterfield Runge, Hill City; Matthias W. Schroeder, Hunter; and Janet M. Thiessen, ...
	09/06/2012 Applications now accepted for Court of Appeals upcoming vacancy TOPEKA—The Supreme Court Nominating Commission is now accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals that will be created by the January 2, 2013, retirement of longtime Judge Christel E. Marquardt, it was announced today.Judge Marquardt, who has been a member of the Court of Appeals, since 1995, said in announcing her ...
	08/27/2012 District magistrate judge vacancies in Harper and Kingman counties TOPEKA—A nominating commission charged with appointing a district magistrate judge in each of Harper and Kingman counties has issued a request for assistance from the public.The nine-member commission is responsible for selecting a district magistrate judge to fill the vacancies which will be created by the retirements of District Magistrate ...
	08/21/2012 Supreme Court goes live on internet TOPEKA—Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss announced today that the Kansas Supreme Court will start video streaming its oral arguments live on the internet, beginning Monday, August 27.The court will hear oral arguments daily as part of its August docket from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, August 27, through Friday August 31. At oral arguments, each side ...
	08/17/2012 12 apply for Shawnee County judgeship TOPEKA—Twelve local attorneys have applied to fill a vacancy on the Shawnee County District Court that will be created by the August 31st retirement of Judge Daniel Mitchell.Applying by Friday's deadline that was set by the 3rd Judicial District Nominating Commission were: Ardith Smith-Woertz, Duston J. Slinkard, Fred C. Patton, Mary E ...
	08/09/2012 District magistrate judge vacancy applicants sought TOPEKA—A nominating commission charged with appointing a district magistrate judge in Mitchell County has issued a request for assistance from the public.The 13-member commission is responsible for selecting a district magistrate judge to fill the vacancy which was created when Judge Bonnie J. Wilson retired effective August 1.“The ...
	07/13/2012 Shawnee County judge announces retirement TOPEKA—Shawnee County District Judge Daniel L. Mitchell today announced his retirement effective August 31st.Judge Mitchell was appointed to fill a vacancy in the juvenile division of the court in October 1985, and has served in that capacity continuously since then.  “I was fortunate enough to be appointed to the position open in ...
	06/29/2012 Court of Appeals rules on case manager hearings TOPEKA—The Kansas Court of Appeals today filed its decision in the following child custody proceeding, which generated much attention during the past legislative session:Appeal No. 106,292: In The Matter of the Marriage of Jeffrey E. Hutchison and Karen L. Wray, f/k/a Karen L. HutchisonThe state Court of Appeals today ruled that due process, ...
	06/19/2012 Three nominated for 21st district judge vacancy TOPEKA—The names of three attorneys were submitted to Gov. Sam Brownback Tuesday as nominees to fill a judge vacancy in the 21st Judicial District, a two-county district consisting of Clay and Riley counties. They include John F. Bosch, Clay Center; and Kendra S. Lewison and Grant Bannister, both of Manhattan.Applicants for the vacancy, which ...
	06/12/2012 Eight to be interviewed for 21st Judicial District vacancy TOPEKA—Eight Manhattan area attorneys will be interviewed June 18 as nominees to fill a vacancy in the 21st Judicial District that was created by the retirement of Judge Paul E. Miller, Manhattan.Scheduled for interviews are Grant D. Bannister, a partner in the firm of Knopp & Bannister, P.A., Manhattan; Amy J. Bipes, a legal assistance ...
	06/11/2012 Three nominated for Shawnee County judge vacancy TOPEKA—Three persons have been nominated to fill a vacancy on the Shawnee County District Court that has been created by the retirement of Judge Charles Andrews. Supreme Court Departmental Justice Marla J. Luckert said the names of Jason E. Geier, senior assistant Shawnee County District Attorney; Mary E. Mattivi, who serves as judge pro tem ...
	05/24/2012 Eleven apply for Shawnee County judge vacancy TOPEKA—Eleven Topeka area attorneys submitted applications Thursday to fill a vacancy on the Shawnee County District Court created by the retirement of Judge Charles Andrews.Submitting applications were: Athena Andaya, a deputy state attorney general; Bradley R. Burke, chief legal counsel for the Juvenile Justice Authority; Lee J. Davidson ...
	05/21/2012 Statewide court closures scheduled this week and June canceled TOPEKA—Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss said today that the four remaining days of statewide court closures and court employees' unpaid furloughs have been canceled, including two days that were scheduled this Thursday and Friday. Two additional statewide court shutdowns were scheduled for June 7-8.The Chief Justice made the announcement ...
	05/09/2012 Johnson County judge vacancies TOPEKA—Thirty-one attorneys residing in Johnson County have applied for the two current judicial openings in Johnson County. The openings are due to the retirements of Judge Allen Slater and Judge Peter Ruddick. The applicants are:Jason Billam, Olathe; Jon Blongewicz, Overland Park; Christi Bright, Overland Park; Paul Burmaster, Overland Park ...
	04/25/2012 Three nominated for judgeship TOPEKA—The names of three southeast Kansas attorneys were submitted to Gov. Sam Brownback today as nominees to fill a vacancy on the Crawford County District Court that was created by the April 2 retirement of District Judge Donald R. Noland.Nominated were David S. Brake, who has been in private practice in Chanute since 1984; Lori A. Bolton ...
	04/23/2012 21st Judicial District vacancy TOPEKA—A nominating commission charged with naming candidates to fill a district judge vacancy in the 21st Judicial District has issued a request for assistance from the public.The 21st Judicial District includes Clay and Riley counties.The nine-member commission is responsible for submitting the names of two or three nominees to the Governor ...
	04/23/2012 Shawnee County judicial vacancy TOPEKA—A nominating commission charged with filling a Shawnee County District Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles Andrews has set May 24th as the deadline for applying for it.The seven-member commission is responsible for submitting the names of two or three nominees to the Governor for the vacancy which was created when ...
	04/23/2012 Two furlough days postponed TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court today postponed two of the remaining four days scheduled for furloughs of court employees and the closing of Kansas courts.The statewide closing of all district and appellate courts set for Friday, April 27, is postponed until Thursday, May 24; while the closing set for Friday, May 11, is postponed until ...
	04/09/2012 Court closure/furlough order released TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court today released its administrative order closing all state courts and sending 1,500 Judicial Branch employees home without pay as a result of a budget shortfall.The Supreme Court's decision to close courts and furlough employees was announced by Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss at a news conference last ...
	04/06/2012 Supreme Court lifts smoking ban temporary injunction Appeal No. 104,761: Downtown Bar and Grill, LLC v. State of KansasTOPEKA—The Supreme Court today reversed a lower court decision temporarily blocking the state from enforcing a statute that exempts certain private liquor-serving clubs from a statewide ban on indoor smoking.The decision reverses a Shawnee County District Court decision ...
	04/04/2012 Supreme Court orders court employee furloughs TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court today announced dates for scheduled furloughs of court employees and the closing of Kansas courts. Statewide closings of all district and appellate courts are set for April 13 and 27th, May 11 and 25th, and June 8th.The scheduled court closings are necessary because of the legislature's failure last week to ...
	04/02/2012 Nine apply to fill vacancy in 11th Judicial District TOPEKA—Nine attorneys applied to fill a district judge vacancy created by the retirement of District Judge Donald R. Noland by Monday's deadline set by the district's Judicial Nominating Commission.Applicants include David S. Brake, Girard; David K. Markham and Steven W. Wilhoft, both of Parsons; Lori A. Bolton Fleming, Randel L ...
	03/22/2012 Nominations sought for district magistrate judge vacancy TOPEKA—A nominating commission charged with naming candidates to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Dickinson County has issued a request for assistance from the public.The nine-member commission is responsible for selecting a district magistrate judge to fill the vacancy which will be created upon the retirement of District ...
	03/09/2012 Nominations accepted for judge vacancy in 11th District TOPEKA—A nominating commission charged with naming candidates to fill a district judge vacancy on the 11th Judicial District has issued a request for assistance from the public.The 11th Judicial District includes Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette Counties.The seven-member commission is responsible for submitting the names of two or three ...
	02/02/2012 Two nominated for district judge TOPEKA—The names of two attorneys were sent to Governor Sam Brownback today as nominees to fill a vacancy on the 30th Judicial District Court that was created by the January 3 retirement of Hon. Robert J. Schmisseur, Pratt.Nominated were Candace R. Lattin, Iuka, and Francis E. Meisenheimer, Kingman. The governor will have 30 days in which to ...
	01/13/2012 Chief justice to address joint session TOPEKA—Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss will deliver his second State of the Judiciary message to a joint session of the Legislature at 5 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, in the House Chamber.Chief Justice Nuss said although he isn't disclosing topics of the speech, it will be an important message, given the dire financial straits of the Kansas ...
	01/09/2012 Blue Ribbon Commission report given court TOPEKA—The Supreme Court today began its consideration of a much-anticipated report by the Court-appointed Blue Ribbon Commission, which has spent the past year reviewing all facets of the state courts' operations.Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss said the Blue Ribbon Commission report was presented to the Supreme Court last week, but he said ...
	01/06/2012 Court adopts new child support schedules TOPEKA—The state Supreme Court has adopted new child support payment schedules as a result of a federally mandated review of guidelines for the amounts of money to be ordered for child support, it was announced today. The new rates are effective April 1.The Office of Judicial Administration emphasized in a statement released today that the ...