Jeff Elder named chief judge in 2nd Judicial District

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court has appointed District Judge Jeff Elder to serve as chief judge of the 2nd Judicial District effective January 11 through December 31, 2021.

Elder succeeds Chief Judge Gary Nafziger, who will retire in January. Nafziger has served as chief judge since 2006.

The 2nd Judicial District is composed of Jackson, Jefferson, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee counties.

“We appreciate that Judge Elder is willing to take on the additional responsibilities of chief judge and provide continuity in capable leadership in the 2nd Judicial District,” said Marla Luckert, chief justice of the Supreme Court. “We look forward to working with him in this new capacity.”

Elder became a judge in 2008.

“I am honored to be selected chief judge for the 2nd Judicial District, and I will do my best to carry out the duties of a chief judge as mandated by the Supreme Court,” Elder said.

Elder received a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas and a law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. He served as county attorney for Pottawatomie County from 1989 to 2001 and was in private practice before becoming a judge.

Each of Kansas’ 31 judicial districts has a chief judge who, in addition to his or her judicial responsibilities, has general control over case assignments within the district, as well as general supervisory authority over the administrative and clerical functions of the court.