Johnson County judge receives prestigious award

TOPEKA—Judge Thomas M. Sutherland, Lenexa, has received the Kansas District Judges Association Judicial Outreach program, a prestigious award that is presented to one judge each year for their exemplary professional and civic outreach at the local, state, and national levels, it was announced in Topeka today.

Judge Sutherland, who has been a Johnson County District Court Judge since 2003, has been a leader in several professional and civic organizations throughout his legal career, which began upon his graduation from the Washburn University School of Law in 1984.

Judge Sutherland's civic leadership includes board memberships and other positions on the American Lung Association's Leadership Council, including a stint as its chair from 2010-2012; Head Start of Shawnee Mission; Head Start Ethics Committee; Baker University Alumni Board; Bonjour Elementary School PTA; Lenexa United Methodist Church Children's Council and that church's preschool board.

Professionally, he is currently a member of the Earl E. O'Connor American Inn of Court, the American Judges Association, and the Kansas District Judges Association. He and his wife, Melany, have two children, Emily and Hannah.

Johnson County Chief Judge Thomas Foster praised the judge for his volunteerism in the legal profession, as well as for his civic activities. "Judge Sutherland truly deserves this award He is truly devoted to his profession and the Johnson County community," Chief Judge Foster said.