Supreme Court announces appointments, reappointments to advisory, oversight groups

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed new members and reappointed current members to a panel, a commission, two committees, and two boards.

Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel

The Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel advises judges seeking opinions concerning the compliance of an intended future course of conduct under the Supreme Court Code of Judicial Conduct.

Retired District Judge David Debenham is reappointed to a second term through June 30, 2029.

Client Protection Fund Commission 

The Client Protection Fund Commission administers the Lawyers Fund for Client Protection, which compensates people who lose money because of dishonest actions by Kansas lawyers.

Stan Hazlett, attorney, Lawrence, is reappointed to serve a second term through June 30, 2028.

The court appointed District Judge Rebecca Faurot to serve through June 30, 2028. She serves in Scott County in the 25th Judicial District.

The court appointed Steve Willis, deputy director over community corrections, Shawnee County, to serve through June 30, 2028.

eCourt Steering Committee 

The eCourt Steering Committee makes recommendations necessary to adopt and implement electronic court processes in Kansas.

Reappointed to serve through June 30, 2026, are:

• Justice Dan Biles, Kansas Supreme Court, chair

• Christine Blake, clerk, Finney County District Court

• Chief District Judge Jeffrey Gettler, who serves in Montgomery County in the 14th Judicial District

• Kelly Johnson, court administrator, 4th Judicial District

• Kathy Oliver, clerk, Riley County District Court

• District Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan, who serves in Johnson County, which is the 10th Judicial District

• Doug Shima, clerk of the appellate courts 

• Stephanie Smith, judicial administrator, Office of Judicial Administration 

• Justice Caleb Stegall, Kansas Supreme Court, vice chair 

• District Magistrate Judge Debra Wright, who serves in Mitchell County in the 12th Judicial District

Appointed to serve through June 30, 2026, are:

• Chief Judge Sarah Warner, Kansas Court of Appeals

• Alex Wong, chief information technology officer, Office of Judicial Administration

Board of Examiners of Court Reporters

The Board of Examiners of Court Reporters, under the direction of the Supreme Court, oversees court reporter certification and court reporter conduct. The board reviews applications for both certification and temporary certification, and it reviews complaints made against certified court reporters.

Reappointed to serve through June 30, 2028, are:

• Lynelle Gottschalk, court reporter, 23rd Judicial District

• District Judge K. Christopher Jayaram, who serves in Johnson County, which is the 10th Judicial District

• Kai Mann, senior assistant appellate defender, Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services

Continuing Legal Education Board

The Continuing Legal Education Board helps the Supreme Court and the Office of Judicial Administration administer and regulate continuing legal education for attorneys. It approves providers and programs, determines program credit hours, grants waivers, and develops continuing legal education guidelines.

Reappointed to serve through June 30, 2028, are:

• Gillian Chadwick, associate professor of law at Washburn University School of Law, director of the Washburn Law Clinic, associate director of the Children and Family Law Center

• Bach Hang, deputy public defender, Sedgwick County Public Defender Office, Wichita

Appointed to serve through June 30, 2028, are:

• Dr. Jeni McRay, assistant provost of internationalization and strategic initiatives, Fort Hays State University

• Courtney Ress, attorney, Gatz & Ress LLP, Colby

• Joyce Rosenberg, clinical professor of law and Robert A. Schroeder Teaching Fellow, University of Kansas School of Law