2024 State of the Judiciary address | video file
Video: Chief Justice Luckert's investiture (12-17-19)
Chief Justice Marla Luckert is a fourth generation native of Sherman County, Kansas. After growing up on the western Kansas border and graduating from Goodland High School, Chief Justice Luckert moved to Topeka for college and law school and has spent her professional career in the Capitol City. Chief Justice Luckert has served the public as a judge and justice for nearly 30 years, handling thousands of cases.
Current term
January 2023–January 2029
Appointed to court November 2002
Judicial experience
2019–present, chief justice, Kansas Supreme Court
2003–19, justice, Kansas Supreme Court
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Second woman to be appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court
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Chair, Kansas Judicial Council
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Former member, Kansas Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
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Former ex-officio member, Kansas Children's Cabinet
2000–03, chief judge, 3rd Judicial District
1992–2000, district judge, 3rd Judicial District
Previous professional experience
1980–92, general practice of law, partner, Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer, Topeka, Kansas
Adjunct professor of law, Washburn University, 1985 and 1991-93
Education
Institute of Judicial Administration at New York University School of Law, Appellate Judges Program
National Judicial College, General Jurisdiction Program, 1992
Washburn University School of Law, J.D., 1980, cum laude; editor, Washburn Law Review
Washburn University, B.A., history, 1977, magna cum laude; student body president
Professional memberships and activities
Kansas Bar Association, past president
Kansas District Judges Association, past president
Kansas Women Attorneys Association, past president
Topeka Bar Association, past president
Sam A. Crow Inn of Court, past president
Women Attorneys Association of Topeka, past president
National Women Judges Association
American Inn of Court
Johnson County Bar Association
Wichita Bar Association
Wichita Women Attorneys Association
Kansas Bar Foundation, fellow
American Bar Association
American Bar Foundation, life fellow
Civil Justice Committee, co-chair, Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators
Committee on Federal-State Jurisdiction, Judicial Conference of the United States
Awards and honors
Honorary Doctorate of Law, Washburn University
Phil Lewis Medal of Distinction from the Kansas Bar Association
Outstanding Women of Kansas Award, 19th Amendment Centennial Celebration Committee
Distinguished Service Award, Alumni Fellow, Washburn University
Distinguished Service Award, Washburn University School of Law
Christel Marquardt Trailblazer Award, Distinguished Service Award, Robert Weary Award, Kansas Bar Foundation
Distinguished Service Award, Topeka Bar Association
Achievement Award, Kansas Women Attorneys Association
Achievement Award, Topeka Women Attorneys Association
Honorable E. Newton Vickers Professionalism Award
Woman of Excellence, Topeka YWCA
Woman of Influence, Go Topeka's Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development Program
Parent Volunteer of the Year, children's elementary school
Community, civic, and charitable activities
Past-president, Mobile Meals (now Meals on Wheels)
Past-president, Mobile Meals Foundation
Past-president, Sheltered Living Inc.
Past-president, Sheltered Living Foundation
Former board Member, Kaw Valley Girl Scout Council
Former board Member, Topeka Rotary Foundation
Former board Member, Washburn School of Law Alumni Association
Former board Member, Shawnee County Community Corrections Advisory Board
Former board Member, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Advisory Board
Volunteer services to many other charities and community groups, including Meals on Wheels, YWCA, Stormont Vail Ethics Committee, American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation, Girl Scout troops, Let's Help, and Doorstep
Past president, children's elementary school parent teacher organization
Former member of site councils of children's elementary, middle, and high schools
Additional information
Justice Luckert and her husband of 40 years have three children and three grandchildren.