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 this month that Chief Judge Wurst "consistently places the welfare of the judicial system, litigants, attorneys, and witnesses foremost and above his personal ambitions and ego, thereby demonstrating the finest traditions and aspirations of the Kansas lawyer."

Judge Wurst was appointed Chief District Court Judge by the Supreme Court last January after taking over the position from Judge Philip Vieux, who stepped aside after serving in that capacity for 19 years. The Chief Judge oversees case assignments for judges and ensures coverage of all of all dockets in the 25th Judicial District, which includes Finney, Kearny, Greeley, Hamilton, Wichita, and Scott counties.

Prior to taking the bench in 2009, Judge Wurst was in private practice for 29 years where he had a diverse practice case load with an emphasis on insurance defense litigation. He has served as president of the Finney County Bar Association and as chair of the Bench-Bar Committee. He is a graduate of Kansas State University and the University of Kansas School of Law.

He and his wife, Rhonda, have three children and three grandchildren.