TOPEKA—The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking candidates to fill a judge vacancy in Douglas County that will be created by the retirement of Chief Judge Robert Fairchild.
Justice Eric Rosen, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 7th Judicial District, said candidates can apply by completing a nomination form and including up to five letters of recommendation.
"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," 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.
The nomination form is available from the clerk's office in the Douglas County District Court. The form is also available from the clerk of the appellate courts at the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka and on the Kansas judicial branch website.
Completed nomination forms and supporting letters must be submitted no later than noon Monday, July 25, to:
Elizabeth S. Cateforis
University of Kansas School of Law
1535 West 15th Street, Room 409
Lawrence, KS 66045
The nominating commission will convene at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, and Thursday, August 18, in the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, Lawrence, to interview nominees. The meeting will be open to the public.
Kansas law requires the commission to select from three to five candidates whose names will be submitted to the governor and he will decide whom to appoint.
The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Eric Rosen as the nonvoting chair; and Ashley P.A. All, Elizabeth S. Caterforis, Michael C. McGrew, Terry L. Smith, Wesley F. Smith, and Catherine C. Theisen, all of Lawrence.