TOPEKA—The 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill a district judge vacancy created by the December 31 retirement of Chief Judge Peggy Carr Kittel.
The 7th Judicial District is composed of Douglas County.
Justice Eric Rosen, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 7th Judicial District, said individuals can apply or be nominated, but nominations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee's signature.
A nominee for district judge must be:
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at least 30 years old;
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a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and
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a resident of Douglas County at the time of taking office and while holding office.
Nominations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the clerk of the Douglas County District Court, the clerk of the appellate courts at the Kansas Judicial Center, or the Kansas judicial branch website.
One original and seven copies of the completed nomination form and supporting letters must be submitted by noon, Wednesday, November 6, to:
Elizabeth Cateforis, commission secretary
University of Kansas School of Law
1535 W 15th St., Room 409
Lawrence KS 66045
The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 9 a.m. Thursday, November 21, in the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E 11th St., Lawrence. Interviews are open to the public.
The commission will select from three to five nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. If there are not three nominees who reside in the district who are deemed qualified by the commission, the commission may consider nominees who reside outside the judicial district. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.
After serving one year in office, the new 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 7th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Rosen as the nonvoting chair and Elizabeth Cateforis, Stephanie Davis, Lisa Harris, Michael McGrew, Wesley Smith, and Daniel Watkins, all of Lawrence.