TOPEKA—The 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a judge vacancy in the 4th Judicial District, which includes Anderson, Coffey, Franklin and Osage counties.
The vacancy was created by the retirement of District Court Judge Thomas H. Sachse. Justice Eric Rosen, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 4th Judicial District, said nominees can apply or be recommended, but recommendations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee’s signature.
“This is an open process to find the most qualified candidates in the district, so if a community member knows someone ideally suited for the job, he or she should encourage that person to apply, or volunteer to recommend him or her,” Rosen said.
Kansas law requires that a judge be a resident of the district, be at least 30 years old, have actively practiced law for at least five years, and be admitted to practice law in Kansas. Recommendations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk’s office in each of the district’s courts: Anderson County District Court in Garnett; Coffey County District Court in Burlington; Franklin County District Court in Ottawa; and Osage County District Court in Lyndon. The form is also available from the clerk of the appellate courts at the Judicial Center in Topeka and on the Kansas Judicial Branch website.
Completed nomination forms and supporting letters are to be sent to Janet Walsh, Secretary, 704 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451, no later than noon, Thursday, July 31. The nominating commission will convene at 9 a.m. Friday, August 22, in the Franklin County Courthouse in Ottawa to interview nominees. The meeting will be open to the public.
Kansas law requires the commission to submit at least two names, but not more than three, to the governor, who will choose one to appoint.
Notice of this vacancy was mailed to every attorney in this judicial district by the chairman of the commission.
The 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Eric Rosen as the nonvoting chair; and James R. Campbell, Burlington; Sara E. Caylor, Ottawa; Craig E. Cole, Garnett; Thomas B. DeBaun, Osage City; Forrest A. Lowry, Ottawa; Eugene E. Highberger, Westphalia; Janet C. Walsh, Lyndon; and Timothy A. Sipe, Waverly.