TOPEKA—District Judge Jeffry Jack will retire January 2 after 14 years of service. Jack was appointed a Labette County district judge in 2005.
"I have been privileged to be trusted by the people of the 11th Judicial District to serve them for 14 years as a district court judge," Jack said. "It is at the trial court where Kansans go to resolve disputes and seek justice, and I am honored to have been able to make a contribution."
The 11th Judicial District is composed of Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette counties.
In addition to hearing criminal, civil, and domestic cases, Jack has been primarily responsible for the juvenile offender and child in need of care cases in Labette County.
Before becoming a judge, Jack served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2005 and was vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee in 2005. He was in private law practice from 1989 to 2005. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and Kansas Army National Guard for 20 years, retiring as major.
A lifelong resident of Labette County, he graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1987 after earning a bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1983. He has been a member of the State Board of Examiners of Court Reporters since 2012, a board member since 2013 and current vice chair of the Kansas Health Foundation, a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Labette County since 2005, a member of the Kansas Judicial Council Juvenile Offender/Child in Need of Care Advisory Committee from 2006 to 2017, a member of the Juvenile Justice Citizens Advisory Board from 2005 to 2016, and a member of the Labette Community Conservation Camp Board from 2005 to 2010.
Jack has accepted a position as area director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County and will be based in Lawrence.
"I will miss working with the court staff, as well as the judges and the attorneys of southeast Kansas," Jack said. "The people in this area should be proud of the dedicated professionals who are working for them and who continue to provide quality service under very difficult circumstances."
District judges in the 11th Judicial District are appointed following a merit selection process. State statute requires a nominating commission to accept nominations, interview nominees, and forward the names of finalists to the governor, who appoints a replacement.
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.