Joseph Uhlman selected for magistrate judge vacancy in Harvey County

TOPEKA—The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission has selected Joseph Uhlman to fill a magistrate judge vacancy in Harvey County.  
 
Uhlman’s new position will be effective on his swearing-in. He currently is an attorney for Adrian & Pankratz P.A. 

The position was among several certified by Supreme Court Administrative Order 2022-JA-020 after the Kansas Legislature passed and the governor signed 2022 House Substitute for Substitute for Senate Bill No. 267 to fund them. 

The 9th Judicial District is composed of Harvey and McPherson counties.   
 
District magistrate judge appointment process  
 
To be considered for district magistrate judge, a nominee must be:  

• a resident of Harvey 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 to become certified within 18 months.  

The nominating commission selects whom to appoint to fill magistrate judge positions.
 
Term of office 
 
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.  
 
Nominating commission  

The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Melissa Standridge as the nonvoting chair; Glen Snell of Lindsborg; Thomas Adrian, George “Chip” Westfall, Jana McKinney, and John Robb, all of Newton; and David O’Dell, Brian Bina, and Ann Elliott, all of McPherson.