TOPEKA—Chief Justice Lawton Nuss announced today the Kansas Supreme Court has appointed District Judge Jeffrey Gettler as chief judge of the 14th Judicial District from January 13 through December 31, 2019.
Gettler will succeed Chief Judge William Cullins, who will continue to serve as a district judge in the 14th Judicial District.
The 14th Judicial District is composed of Chautauqua and Montgomery counties.
"We are glad that Judge Gettler has agreed to serve as chief judge, providing continuity in capable leadership in the 14th Judicial District," said Nuss.
“I am honored to be appointed the next chief judge of the 14th Judicial District," Gettler said. "I appreciate and am humbled by the Supreme Court’s confidence in my ability. I look forward to working with the clerks, staff, attorneys, and my fellow judges in this new capacity.”
Gettler is an Independence native. He graduated from Independence Community College, Loyola University in Chicago, and the University of Kansas School of Law.
Before his election to the bench in 2016, Gettler was in private practice for more than 10 years. He also served as city prosecutor for the city of Independence, city attorney for the city of Cherryvale, and attorney for Unified School Districts 446 and 447.
Cullins has served as district judge in the 14th Judicial District since 2006 and chief judge since 2015.
“It has been an incredible experience being chief judge the last four years, but this type of experience should not be reserved for one judge," Cullins said. "Judge Gettler will have an outstanding staff to work with, and I am confident he will do an excellent job moving the 14th Judicial District forward.”
A native of Caney, Cullins graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Before becoming a judge, he was Montgomery County attorney, Coffeyville city prosecutor, and he worked in a private law practice.
Each of Kansas' 31 judicial districts has a chief judge who, in addition to his or her judicial responsibilities, has general control over case assignments within the district, as well as general supervisory authority over the administrative and clerical functions of the court.