TOPEKA — Shawnee County District Judge Larry D. Hendricks will retire in March after 11 years on the bench and a 25-year career as a lawyer. His retirement is effective March 30.
Serving as a district judge was "a rewarding job," Hendricks said. "It was very interesting. There is something new every day. I've certainly had some interesting cases."
Serving as a judge, however, is isolating, he said.
"A new judge doesn't realize how you are going to be isolated, not only the lawyers you knew but from everybody," he said. A judge must be impartial and, therefore, can't appear to be influenced by anyone he might see in court or who might have opinions in a case, he explained.
A Great Bend native, he was appointed to the court in November 2006 and began work in February 2007. His private practice career had culminated with him as a partner in the Topeka firm of Stumbo, Hanson, and Hendricks. He also had served as city attorney for Alma, Auburn, Lecompton, and Perry.
He earned a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University, a master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and a law degree from Washburn University School of Law. He served eight years in the U.S. Air Force.
Hendricks said traveling will be among his retirement plans. In particular, he and his wife, Beckie, will be going to Hawaii in April for the marriage of their son Logan and his fiancée, Jenny. They also have a son Lee, and he and his wife, Cara, have two sons, Will and Wyatt.
In addition to traveling and "enjoying life," Hendricks said he will consider working part-time as a mediator in legal cases.