TOPEKA—District Judge Daniel Cahill of the 29th Judicial District has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's April 29 docket.
After hearing oral arguments, Cahill will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and decision drafting.
“I am pleased that District Judge Cahill is taking time from his duties in the 29th 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.”
Cahill has been a judge for the 29th Judicial District, which is composed of Wyandotte County, since 2007. He presides over child in need of care cases.
“I am honored and humbled to be asked to sit with the Supreme Court on this important matter,” Cahill said. “I would like to thank the justices for this opportunity.”
Cahill earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Washburn University and a law degree with dean’s honors from Washburn University School of Law. He was an assistant district attorney for Wyandotte County from 1996 to 2000 and was in private practice until he became a judge.
Cahill has chaired the Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning since 2008. He is a past governor of the Wyandotte County Bar Association and a member of the Juvenile Law Advisory Committee and Membership Committee of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He often speaks to groups of practitioners in child welfare.
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 Cahill will hear is the fifth one scheduled on the court's 9 a.m. docket April 29:
Case No.120,744: In the Matter of Thomas Caleb Boone, Respondent.
Original Proceeding Related to Attorney Discipline: (Indefinite suspension) The ethical complaint in this case involves Boone's representation of C.Z. against the Osawatomie State Hospital ending in the complaint being dismissed as a sanction against Boone. It also involves representation of a roofing company in a mechanic's lien action resulting in a counterclaim award against the roofing company based on Boone's actions. The hearing panel recommends Boone's license to practice law be indefinitely suspended. The panel acknowledged Boone had developed a workable, substantial, and detailed plan of probation. However, the panel believed placing Boone on probation is not in the best interests of the legal profession and Kansans. Boone has an extensive disciplinary record and spent nine years on probation for having violated many of the same rules he violated in this case. The panel stated any benefits to be gained by supervision have already been realized. The disciplinary administrator recommends indefinite suspension. Boone recommended he be indefinitely suspended but that the suspension be suspended and he be placed on probation.