TOPEKA—Nick Badgerow, an Overland Park attorney, has stepped down after serving 24 years on the Kansas Judicial Council, which reviews the administration of justice in the state.
“I have been proud and happy to serve the council over these decades, as it has allowed me to interact with the finest judges, lawyers, legislators and educators in the state," Badgerow said. "The council’s work is little known and often unappreciated, but during this time we have crafted, presented, supported, and watched the passage of lots of very important legislation, all of which has improved the administration of justice for our citizens."
His service on the council was just one of several appointments involving the judiciary and the legal profession during his more than 40 years as a practicing lawyer.
He also was:
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A member of the Kansas State Board of Discipline for Attorneys for 16 years.
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Chair of the Supreme Court's Ethics 2000 Commission and its Ethics 20/20 Commission.
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Chair of the Johnson County Ethics and Grievance Committee for 30 years.
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Chair of the Kansas Bar Association Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee since 2005.
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Editor and coauthor of the KBA's Ethics Handbook, 2015 edition.
Badgerow joined the Judicial Council in 1994.
Chief Justice Lawton Nuss of the Kansas Supreme Court praised Badgerow's lengthy service.
"During Nick’s long tenure on the Judicial Council, he served as chair of the council’s civil code advisory committee and led many special studies," he said. "His leadership has resulted in significant improvements to our state’s justice system.
"Nick generously and diligently gave his time and shared his knowledge to better the lives of Kansans. The Kansas Supreme Court and the council are thankful for his exceptional service," Nuss added.
F. James Robinson Jr., a Wichita attorney, will complete Badgerow's term on the council through June 30, 2021.
Of Robinson, Badgerow said, "Jim Robinson is a good friend, a great lawyer, and a great Kansan. I am proud to see him take my chair on the council, where I know he will do great things."
The Judicial Council can recommend to the Supreme Court or the Kansas Legislature changes regarding specific areas of the law or rules used by the courts. The council also can be asked to draft legislation and court rules. The council produces books and manuals, publishes legal forms for use in the state's courts, and prepares jury instructions.
The 10-member council includes one member of the Supreme Court, one member of the Kansas Court of Appeals, two district court judges and four practicing attorneys, all appointed by the chief justice. The chairs of the Kansas House and Kansas Senate judiciary committees also are members. Supreme Court Justice Marla Luckert chairs the council.
Badgerow graduated from law school at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He has tried more than 50 jury trials in the Kansas City area and others throughout the Midwest. He also frequently serves as a construction arbitrator and mediator and a consultant and expert witness on legal ethics.
Additionally, he has written and published more than 60 journal articles, mostly on ethics and professionalism, and has presented more than 200 seminars on the same subjects.