21st Judicial District Nominating Commission submits four nominees for district judge vacancy in Riley County

TOPEKA—The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of four nominees for district judge to Gov. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy created by the June 16 retirement of Judge Chief Judge Meryl Wilson.

The 21st Judicial District is composed of Clay and Riley counties.

The four nominees:

• Amy J. Bipes, Manhattan, legal assistance attorney, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Riley;

• James R. Kepple, Manhattan, Riley County district magistrate judge, 21st Judicial District;

• Kendra Spaeth Lewison, Manhattan, assistant county attorney, Riley County; and

• Phylemon C. Yau, Manhattan, lawyer, State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services.

Nominees for district judge must be:

• at least 30 years old;

• 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; and

• a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office 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.