Following nearly two hours of interviews Wednesday, the 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of four nominees for district judge on to Governor Laura Kelly.
Gov. Kelly has 60 days (Sept. 22) to decide who will fill the vacancy left by Chief Judge Meryl Wilson, who retired June 16 after more than two decades on the bench. The 21st Judicial District is comprised of Riley and Clay counties.
The four nominees are Amy Bipes of Manhattan, legal assistance attorney with the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Riley; Riley County District Magistrate Judge James Kepple of Manhattan; Riley County Assistant County Attorney Kendra Lewison of Manhattan; and Phylemon Yau with the State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, also of Manhattan.
To be considered for a district judge position, a nominee must be at least 30 years old. They must be a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school. Lastly, they must reside in the judicial district at the time of taking and while holding office.
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.
The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Supreme Court Justice Marla Luckert as the nonvoting chair; Kyle Bauer and Steven McMahan, Clay Center; Steven Hargrave, Randolph; and William Bahr, Johanna Lyle, James Morrison, Derrick Roberson, and Kitra Schartz, Manhattan.
