TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Caleb Stegall, Gov. Sam Brownback’s former chief legal counsel, has been sworn in as a judge on the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Stegall took the oath of office Friday before a large audience in the Supreme Court chambers with his wife, Ann, holding a Bible. He fills a new, 14th seat on the state’s second-highest court.
Stegall’s appointment by the Republican governor received an unusual amount of attention, partly because of his position as Brownback’s chief lawyer.
It was also the first Court of Appeals appointment under a law that took effect in July that has the governor appoint the judges, subject to Senate confirmation. Previously, an attorney-led commission screened applicants and named three finalists, with no role for lawmakers after the governor’s appointment.
