District magistrate judge appointed in Jewell County

TOPEKA—The 12th Judicial District Nomination Commission has selected Kevin L. Phillips to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Jewell County. The commission conducted public interviews of applicants for the position Friday, June 16, in Mankato.

Phillips, of Mankato, is a lawyer in private practice. His new position as magistrate judge will be effective upon his swearing in.

The 12th Judicial District includes Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic, and Washington counties.

The vacancy was created by the January retirement of Magistrate Judge John Bingham.

Kansas law requires that a magistrate judge be a resident of the county at the time of swearing-in and while serving; be at least 30 years old; have graduated from a high school, secondary school, or the equivalent; and either be a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or pass an examination given by the Kansas Supreme Court and become certified within 18 months.

The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Caleb Stegall of the Kansas Supreme Court as the nonvoting chair; Dana E. Brewer and J. Bradley Lowell of Concordia; Carol K. Good of Barnard; Jerry L. Harrison and Dwight L. Daniels of Beloit; Daniel D. Metz of Lincoln; Tanner M. Johnson of Courtland; Darrell E. Miller and Rick Diamond of Mankato; Douglas G. Simms of Belleville; Regine L. Thompson of Scandia; and Bruce E. Meyer of Palmer.