Clinton Peterson named chief judge in 26th Judicial District

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court has appointed District Judge Clinton Peterson to serve as chief judge of the 26th Judicial District from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023. 

The 26th Judicial District is composed of Grant, Haskell, Morton, Seward, Stanton, and Stevens counties. 

“We appreciate that Judge Peterson is willing to take on the additional responsibilities of chief judge and provide continuity in capable leadership in the 26th Judicial District,” said Marla Luckert, chief justice of the Supreme Court. “We look forward to working with him in this new capacity.” 

Peterson has been a judge in the 26th Judicial District since 2009. 

"I want to thank Chief Justice Luckert for giving me the honor of this appointment,” Peterson said. “I accept the post with the only assurance I know to give, and that is that you’ll receive my best effort.” 

Peterson will succeed Chief Judge Bradley Ambrosier, who will continue to serve as a district judge in the 26th Judicial District.  

“I want to express my personal gratitude to Judge Ambrosier for serving as chief judge for 12 years,” Peterson said. “If anyone has earned the privilege to spend their last few terms in office with a lighter workload and less stress, it is Judge Ambrosier, so I am happy to help out.”  

Peterson has an undergraduate degree from Southwestern College in Winfield and a law degree from Washburn University School of Law. He worked as a prosecutor in the Seward County Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 1999. He then spent 10 years in private practice before he was elected district court judge.  

Each of Kansas’ 31 judicial districts has a chief judge who, in addition to their 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.