Judge Sarah E. Warner grew up in Pittsburg. She earned four undergraduate degrees at the University of Kansas and attended law school in Michigan, graduating magna cum laude. After serving as the sole chambers attorney of the chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, she entered private practice in Lawrence, where she worked until her appointment to the Court of Appeals. She also has taught as an adjunct professor at Washburn Law School since 2009.
Current term
January 2021–January 2025
Appointed to court 2019
Judicial experience
2019-present, judge, Court of Appeals
Previous professional experience
2009-present, adjunct professor, Washburn University School of Law
2009-19, attorney/partner, Thompson Warner, Lawrence
2006-09, chambers counsel for Chief Justice Robert E. Davis, Kansas Supreme Court
Education
Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, Michigan, J.D. magna cum laude, 2006
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Senior editor, Ave Maria Law Review
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Received school's top award given to a law school graduate, based on academics, activities, and character
University of Kansas, B.A. with honors and distinction, French, international studies, mathematics, and political science, 2003
St. Mary's-Colgan High School, Pittsburg, 1998
Professional memberships and activities
Kansas Bar Association
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President, 2018-19
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Board of Governors, District 2, 2015-18
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President, Young Lawyers section, 2014-15
Kansas Women Attorneys Association
National Association of Women Judges
Kansas Association of Defense Counsel
Douglas County Bar Association
Douglas County Law Library Board of Trustees
Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court
Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys, 2014-19
Awards and honors
Washburn University School of Law Adjunct Professor of the Year, 2018
Ingram Magazine's "40 Under Forty" list of young professionals, 2019
Kansas Association of Defense Counsel's Distinguished Service Award, 2019
Kansas Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2015
Kansas and Missouri Super Lawyers (multiple years before appointment to the bench)
Community, civic, and charitable activities
University of Kansas Honors Program Alumni Advisory Board
Cantor and director of parish folk music group, Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa
Life Time Lenexa Triathlon Team
Additional information
Born in Overland Park and raised in Pittsburg.
Has completed two half-Ironman triathlons.
She and her husband, Brandon, live in Lenexa.