TOPEKA — The search for a new district judge in the 21st Judicial District is underway.
The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene at 8:30 a.m. July 24 to interview seven nominees for the vacancy, created by the retirement last month of Chief Judge Meryl Wilson. The person chosen for the position will oversee court cases in Riley and Clay counties.
The commission will select three to five nominees to be submitted to Gov. Laura Kelly. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint.
Nominees include:
- Amy J. Bipes, Manhattan, legal assistance lawyer, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Riley;
- Cole A. Hawver, Manhattan, chief public defender, North Central Regional Public Defender’s Office, Junction City;
- James R. Kepple, Manhattan, Riley County district magistrate judge, 21st Judicial District;
- Kendra Spaeth Lewison, Manhattan, assistant county attorney, Riley County;
- Matthew James Richter, Manhattan, city prosecutor, Manhattan Municipal Court;
- Steven Michael Roth, Topeka, administrative law judge, Kansas Department of Labor, Division of Workers Compensation; and
- Phylemon Chuen-Man Yau, Manhattan, lawyer, State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services.
