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 retirement that it has been an honor to serve on the Court. She said she has enjoyed working with attorneys and the public throughout the state as she traveled as a member of three-judge panels to hear appeals in every corner of the state as caseloads warranted. "This Court has truly accomplished one of the goals of having a traveling court—sending three-judge panels to locales where cases arose rather than having all the attorneys travel to Topeka for the hearings," she said. "We have saved our citizens both time and money by doing that," she added.
Among numerous awards, Judge Marquardt received an honorary doctor of law degree from Washburn University during this year's spring commencement ceremony. She also is a Washburn law school graduate. In addition to her judicial duties, she also served as the first woman president of the Kansas Bar Association in 1987-88.
Judge Marquardt has served on many committees of the American Bar Association, has been a member of its Board of Governors, has served in its House of Delegates since 1988, was State Delegate from 1995-99 and is currently serving as State Delegate. She is a past chair of the Washburn University of Topeka, Board of Regents and past chair of the Washburn University School of Law Board of Governors. She served on the Board of Governors of the Topeka Symphony and many other civic organizations.
Judge Marquardt has been a lecturer on legal issues for the American Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, Kansas Trial Lawyers, Kansas Municipal Attorneys, Kentucky Bar, Louisiana Bar, Washburn University, Missouri Western University, Kansas Women Attorneys, The Menninger Foundation and a variety of civic organizations.
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission set noon, Friday, October 12, 2012, as the deadline to apply for the impending vacancy. Interviews will be conducted November 13 and 14th in the Fatzer Courtroom in the Judicial Center in Topeka. The applicant names and interview schedule will be posted on the court website in early November. The interviews will be open to the public. Nomination forms are available online at www.kscourts.org or from the office of the Clerk of Appellate Courts.
Members of the Nominating Commission include Anne Burke, chairman, Overland Park; and Kerry E. McQueen, Liberal; Dr. Janet A. Juhnke, Salina; Natalie G. Haag and Felita R. Kahrs, both of Topeka; Matthew D. Keenan, Leawood; Robert Hayworth, Stillwell; Jay F. Fowler, and Paul F. Babich, both of Wichita.