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 for the vacancy which was created by the retirement of Judge Paul E. Miller, Manhattan, who is retiring June 8, 2012.
Kansas statutes require that a judge be a resident of the district in which selected, be at least 30 years of age, have been in the active practice of law for at least five years, and have been admitted to the practice of law within the State of Kansas.
Suggested nominees are requested to complete questionnaires for the position. The completed forms should be returned to Barry A. Clark, Clark and Kellstrom, Chtd., 417 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502, no later than noon, June 1, 2012. The forms are available in the office of the clerk of the district court in each of the counties in the district and online at www.kscourts.org.
The nominating commission will convene at 9:00 a.m. June 18, 2012, in the Riley County Courthouse to interview the applicants. The meeting will be open to the public; however, the commission has the authority to adjourn to executive session to discuss personal traits of the suggested nominees.
The law requires that the commission submit at least two names, but not more than three, to the Governor who may appoint any of the suggested nominees.
Notices have been mailed to every attorney in this judicial district by the chair of the commission.
The 21st district judicial nominating commission includes Justice Luckert, as the nonvoting chair, and Barry A. Clark, James W. Morrison, Derrick L. Roberson, Richard H. Seaton, Jr., Johanna D. Lyle, Manhattan; Kyle C. Bauer, Steven C. McMahan, Clay Center; and Steven L. Hargrave, Randolph.