31st Judicial District Nominating Commission to interview nominees for district magistrate vacancy

TOPEKA—The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene November 19 to interview four nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Woodson County.

The vacancy was created by the October 30 retirement of Judge Leo Gensweider.

The commission will convene at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 19, in the Woodson County Courthouse, 105 W Rutledge, Yates Center. Interviews are open to the public.

The 31st Judicial District is composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.

The interview times and nominees:

• 10:30 a.m.—Jennifer J. Friend, Fredonia, nonlawyer

• 11 a.m.—Jill R. Gillett, Fredonia, lawyer

• 11:30 a.m.—Thomas P. Mikulka, Chanute, lawyer

• Noon—Zelda F. Schlotterbeck, Yates Center, lawyer

Kansas law requires that a district magistrate judge be:

• a resident of Woodson County at the time of taking office and while holding office;

• a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and

• either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months.

After interviews conclude, the commission will appoint the district magistrate judge. After serving one year in office, the new magistrate judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

The 31st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall as the nonvoting chair; Timothy Brazil and Richard Pringle, Chanute; James Immel and Ryan Sparks, Iola; Douglas Depew, Neodesha; James Keath, Stark; and Nick Hay, Yates Center.