TOPEKA—Thirteen district judges from across the state will join the Kansas Supreme Court to hear and help decide cases on the court's October 26–30, 2020, docket that will take place virtually.
They will fill a vacancy on the bench created by Justice Carol Beier's retirement and serve in place of justices recused in several cases.
"The Supreme Court looks forward to these district court judges hearing cases with us. They will read the case materials, prepare for oral argument, and deliberate with the court on its decisions," said Chief Justice Marla Luckert. "We thank them for helping us, especially because we know they already have significant caseloads in their district courts to handle."
All cases will be heard by videoconference and livestreamed on the Supreme Court YouTube channel.
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District Judge Daryl Ahlquist of the 31st Judicial District will hear oral arguments in one case at 11 a.m., Friday, October 30:
Appeal No. 120,753: State of Kansas v. Dane Owens
"I am pleased to be able to assist the Supreme Court with their October docket," Ahlquist said.
He became a judge in 2011. He previously was in private practice in Neosho County. Ahlquist is a graduate of Washburn University School of Law.
The 31st Judicial District is composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.
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District Judge Lori Bolton Fleming of the 11th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in two cases at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 28:
Appeal No. 121,181: State of Kansas v. Mark Holley III
Appeal No. 120,184: In the Matter of the Care and Treatment of Richard A. Quillen
“I am excited to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court. I think it is wonderful that people in various parts of the state can see their local judges serving in this capacity," she said.
Bolton Fleming became a judge in 2012. She previously was in private practice and served as a prosecutor. She is a graduate of Washburn University School of Law School, where she was editor-in-chief of the Washburn Law Journal.
The 11th Judicial District is composed of Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette counties.
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District Judge Bruce Brown of the 18th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in two cases at 1:30 p.m. Monday, October 26:
Case No. 122,867: In the Matter of Adebayo L. Ogunmeno, Respondent
Case No. 122,332: In the Matter of Amy J. Ahrens, Respondent
"I'm thrilled to be invited to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court and greatly looking forward to the opportunity," Brown said.
Brown was elected judge in 2008 and serves in the criminal department. He previously was a Wichita Municipal Court judge. He is a graduate of the Pepperdine University School of Law.
The 18th Judicial District is composed of Sedgwick County.
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District Judge Christina Dunn Gyllenborg of the 10th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in one case at 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 30:
Case No. 122,565: In the Matter of F. William Cullins, District Judge, Respondent
"This will be amazing experience to work alongside some of the most respected legal minds in this state," Gyllenbord said. "Moreover, it will be fascinating to observe how they make and reason their decisions."
Gyllenborg became a judge in 2012. In December her responsibilities will move from a family-domestic docket to an exclusively criminal docket. She previously was a prosecutor in the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office and was in private practice.
The 10th Judicial District is composed of Johnson County.
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District Judge LaDonna Lanning of the 19th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in one case at 9 a.m., Friday, October 30:
Appeal 120,726: State of Kansas v. Keeshaun Milo
"To be asked to sit with the Supreme Court and work with our justices is, indeed, a privilege. I am eager to participate in the legal process from this unique perspective," Lanning said.
She was elected judge in 2010. She previously was in private practice. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law.
The 19th Judicial District is composed of Cowley County.
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District Judge Frank Meisenheimer of the 30th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in two cases at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 29:
Appeal No. 121,269: State of Kansas v. Thomas Brown Jr.
Appeal No. 121,203: State of Kansas v. Zachary Buck-Schrag
“As a district judge, it is an honor to be selected to sit with the Supreme Court. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to assist the court in the cases to be decided,” he said.
Meisenheimer became a judge in 2012. He previously was in private practice and served as Kingman County counselor. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law.
The 30th Judicial District is composed of Barber, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Sumner counties.
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District Judge C. William Ossmann of the 3rd Judicial District will hear oral arguments in one case at 11 a.m. Monday, October 26:
Appeal No. 118,802: In the Matter of I.A.
“I’ve had the privilege to know several of the justices of the Supreme Court as they were once trial judges in Shawnee County. It will be exciting and interesting to see how they and the other justices approach the cases they have to ultimately resolve,” Ossmann said.
Ossmann became a judge in 2012. He is chairman of the Supreme Court Access to Justice Committee and an adjunct professor at Washburn University School of Law. He is a graduate of Washburn University School of Law.
The 3rd Judicial District is composed of Shawnee County.
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District Judge Clinton Peterson of the 26th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in one case at 9 a.m. Thursday, October 29:
Appeal No. 121,075: State of Kansas v. Michael L. Phillips
"I am honored to be given an opportunity to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court," Peterson said.
Peterson was elected judge in 2008 and oversees the criminal docket in the 26th Judicial District. He was in private practice and served as a prosecutor in the Seward County Attorney's Office. He graduated from Washburn University School of Law.
The 26th Judicial District is composed of Grant, Haskell, Morton, Seward, Stanton, and Stevens counties.
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District Judge Sally Pokorny of the 7th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in two cases at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 27:
Appeal No. 118,361, State of Kansas v. Samuel Jacob Vonachen
Appeal No. 121,936: In the Matter of Michael Mata
"I look forward to collaborating with the Supreme Court justices to come to a fair decision in each of the cases. I hope my 42 years of experience as a practicing attorney and as a district court judge will bring a useful perspective to the bench," Pokorny said.
Pokorny became a judge in 2009. She previously was county attorney for Montgomery County and in private practice in Montgomery County and Lawrence. She graduated from Washburn University School of Law.
The 7th Judicial District is composed of Douglas County.
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District Judge Trish Rose of the 27th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in one case at 9 a.m. Monday, October 26.
Appeal No. 120,103: State of Kansas v. Quincy R.T. Carter
"I have the utmost respect for the justices of the Kansas Supreme Court and hope to rise to the level of intellectual rigor and reasoning required of our justices in every case they hear," Rose said.
Rose was elected judge in 2010. She previously was in private practice and served as mayor and on the city council in Hutchinson. She graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law.
The 27th Judicial District is composed of Reno County.
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District Judge Michael Russell of the 29th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in in two cases at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 29:
Appeal No. 121,269: State of Kansas v. Thomas Brown Jr.
Appeal No. 121,203: State of Kansas v. Zachary Buck-Schrag
"I believe it will be an invaluable experience to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court and look forward to participating," Russell said.
Russell became a judge in 2012. He previously was a prosecutor. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law.
The 29th Judicial District is composed of Wyandotte County.
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District Judge Jan Satterfield of the 13th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in one case at 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 27:
Appeal No. 120,946: State of Kansas v. Robert Willard Colson
"The opportunity to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court is the highlight of my career," Satterfield said. "I am honored to have been selected to do so."
Satterfield was elected judge in 2010. She previously was city prosecutor for Wichita and county attorney and assistant county attorney for Butler County. She graduated from Washburn University School of Law.
The 13th Judicial District is composed of Butler, Elk, and Greenwood counties.
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Judge Scott Showalter of the 15th Judicial District will hear oral arguments in one case at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 28.
Appeal No. 118,382: State of Kansas v. Chase L. Coble
"I am deeply honored to be asked to serve on the Supreme Court and look forward to the opportunity," Showalter said.
Showalter was elected judge in in 2008. He previously was county attorney for Sherman County and served as a court trustee.
The 15th Judicial District is composed of Cheyenne, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, and Wallace counties.