Wayne Smith selected for district magistrate judge position in Johnson County

TOPEKA—The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Wayne Smith to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Johnson County.  
 
Smith’s new position will be effective on his swearing-in. He currently is managing attorney at Legal Aid of Western Missouri. He fills a vacancy created by Judge Robert Scott’s June 8 retirement.

The 10th Judicial District is composed of Johnson County.
 
District magistrate judge appointment process  
 
To be considered for district magistrate judge, a nominee must be:  

• a resident of Johnson 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 to become certified within 18 months.  

The nominating commission selects whom to appoint to fill district magistrate judge positions.  
 
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 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Evelyn Wilson as the nonvoting chair; Thomas Bath, Leawood; Stephene Moore and Annabeth Surbaugh, Lenexa; Laura McConwell, Mission; Doug Brownlee and District Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan, Olathe; Janine Estrada-Lopez, Rick Guinn, District Judge Timothy McCarthy, Kevin Moriarty, Greg Musil, and Chris Talarico, Overland Park; Haile Sims, Roeland Park; and Trenton Dansel, Westwood.