TOPEKA—Chief Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan of the 10th Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's September 13 docket. After hearing oral arguments, Ryan will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and decision drafting.
“I am pleased that Chief Judge Ryan is taking time from his duties in the 10th Judicial District to sit with the Supreme Court,” said Chief Justice Lawton Nuss. “It's a great help to our court, and we look forward to his contributions in deliberating and eventually deciding this case.”
Ryan said, “I am honored and proud to be asked to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court. It is a privilege to serve the court and the people of our state. I respect the important work handled by the court and thank the justices for affording me this opportunity to work with them.”
Ryan was appointed a district court judge in 2008 and has served as chief judge for the 10th Judicial District since January. He currently handles a criminal docket in addition to his administrative duties.
The 10th Judicial District is composed of Johnson County.
A native Kansan, he graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo., Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and Washburn University School of Law. After serving as an assistant district attorney in Johnson County, Ryan practiced law in Overland Park for 20 years before his appointment to the bench.
He is the 2018 president of the Johnson County Bar Association and recently served as chair of the Kansas Judicial Council's Adoption Law Advisory Committee that reviewed and revised the Kansas adoption laws. Since 2014, Ryan has served on the executive committee of the Kansas District Judges Association.
All Supreme Court oral arguments are webcast live through the Watch Supreme Court Live! Link in the right-hand column of the Kansas judicial branch website at www.kscourts.org.
The case Ryan will hear is the fourth one scheduled on the court's 9 a.m. docket September 13:
Appeal No. 119,012: In the Matter of Jeffrey A. Mason, Respondent
Original Proceeding Related to Attorney Discipline: Mason's ethical issues in this case involve his representation and other corporate matters for the Northwest Kansas Area Medical Foundation, later changed to the Goodland Medical Foundation. Mason failed to file corporate tax returns. The hearing panel recommended Mason be indefinitely suspended retroactive to December 23, 2016, the date of the Supreme Court's previous suspension order. The panel was particularly concerned Mason knew he had engaged in the conduct at issue at the time of the earlier hearing but affirmatively stated during the hearing there were no additional issues in his practice. The disciplinary administrator also recommended indefinite suspension retroactive to December 23, 2016. Mason requests public censure and probation.