TOPEKA—Chief Judge Kevin Berens of the 15th Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's September 12 docket. After hearing oral arguments, Berens will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and decision drafting.
“I am pleased that Chief Judge Berens is taking time from his duties in the 15th Judicial District to sit with the Supreme Court,” said Chief Justice Lawton Nuss. “It's a great help to our court, and we look forward to his contributions in deliberating and eventually deciding this case.”
Berens said, “The Supreme Court honored the 15th Judicial District by holding a special session in Colby this spring. Seeing the Supreme Court in action gives one an appreciation for the Supreme Court’s importance to our justice system. I am humbled and honored to have an opportunity to sit with the Supreme Court.”
Berens has served as chief judge since January 2017, when he was sworn in for his first term as an elected district judge.
The 15th Judicial District is composed of Cheyenne, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, and Wallace counties.
He previously served as county attorney in Thomas and Cheyenne counties, assistant county attorney in Cheyenne County, and city attorney for Bird City. He also practiced law in Kansas and Colorado.
Prior to receiving his law degree, he worked as an accountant. He graduated from Colby High School, Fort Hays State University, and Washburn University School of Law.
Berens leads a team of district court personnel from seven judicial districts who are helping manage the judicial branch's implementation of a statewide centralized case management system. The seven judicial districts include 34 northern and central Kansas counties.
All Supreme Court oral arguments are webcast live through the Watch Supreme Court Live! Link in the right-hand column of the Kansas judicial branch website at www.kscourts.org.
The case Berens will hear is the fifth one scheduled on the court's 9 a.m. docket September 12:
Appeal No. 117,910: In the Matter of David P. Crandall, Respondent
Original Proceeding Related to Attorney Discipline: Complaints against Crandall involve estate planning and fees he charged in several cases. A majority of the hearing panel recommended Crandall be suspended for six months. A dissenting member supported a one-year suspension. The disciplinary administrator argued Crandall's license to practice law should be suspended for one year if the hearing panel concluded he charged unreasonable fees; otherwise, the administrator recommended public censure. Crandall asserted he did not violate any rules and requests nonpublished censure.