9th Judicial District Nominating Commission sends the names of three nominees for district judge to governor

TOPEKA—The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of three nominees for district judge to Gov. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy created by Chief Judge Joe Dickinson’s September 18 retirement.

The 9th Judicial District is composed of Harvey and McPherson counties.

• The three nominees are: David Justin Bravi, of Bravi Law, LLC, and deputy public defender with the Reno County Public Defender Office, McPherson

• Jason Lane, county attorney, Harvey County Attorney’s Office, Newton

• Michael Llamas, self-employed with Llamas Law, LLC; city prosecutor in Hesston; and municipal court judge in the cities of Walton, Burrton, and Florence, Newton

Eligibility requirements

Nominees for district judge must be:

• at least 30 years old;

• a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and

• a resident of the 9th Judicial District at the time of taking office and while holding office.

Term of office

After serving one year in office, the new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

Nominating commission

The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Melissa Taylor Standridge as the nonvoting chair; Thomas Adrian, George “Chip” Westfall, Jana McKinney, and John Robb, all of Newton; Michael Androes, Harris Terry, and Ann Elliott, all of McPherson; and Amie Bauer of Lindsborg.