TOPEKA—The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene January 12 to interview nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in McPherson County created by Judge Steve Hilgers' January 8 retirement.
The 9th Judicial District is composed of Harvey and McPherson counties.
Interview schedule
1:30 p.m.
Ellen G. Neufeld, Inman, lawyer at Ellen G. Neufeld law firm
2 p.m.
Gary L. Price Jr., McPherson, lawyer at Boyer & Price law firm and municipal judge for Canton, Lindsborg, and Moundridge
2:45 p.m.
Susan C. Robson, Marion, lawyer at Brookens & Robson law firm
3:15 p.m.
JoAn M. Hamilton Lindfors, Marquette, retired lawyer
Interviews and appointment
The nominating commission will convene by videoconference to interview nominees at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 12.
Interviews are open to the public and will be livestreamed on the Kansas judicial branch YouTube channel.
Public comment will be accepted shortly after the commission convenes. To comment:
Any person with a disability who requires accommodation to access the nominating commission meeting should notify the judicial branch ADA coordinator as early as possible, preferably 10 working days before the meeting date:
ADA Coordinator
reimere@kscourts.org
785-296-2256
TTY at 711
After the interviews, the commission will appoint a district magistrate judge.
Eligibility requirements
Kansas law requires that this district magistrate judge be:
-
a resident of McPherson County at the time of taking office and while holding office;
-
a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and
-
either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months.
Term of office
After serving one year in office, the new magistrate judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.
Nominating commission
The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Evelyn Wilson as the interim, nonvoting chair; Amie Bauer, Lindsborg; Michael Androes, Ann Elliott, and Harris Terry, McPherson; and Thomas Adrian, Jana McKinney, John Robb, and George "Chip" Westfall, Newton.