Marilyn Wilder named chief judge in the 9th Judicial District

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court has appointed District Judge Marilyn Wilder to serve as chief judge of the 9th Judicial District from September 19 through December 31, 2021.

Wilder succeeds Chief Judge Joe Dickinson, who will retire September 18.

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


“We appreciate that Judge Wilder is willing to take on the additional responsibilities of chief judge and provide continuity in capable leadership in the 9th Judicial District,” said Marla Luckert, chief justice of the Supreme Court. “We look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”

Wilder has been a judge in the 9th Judicial District since 2015.

"I am honored to have been chosen by the Kansas Supreme Court to serve in this role," Wilder said. “We have a fantastic team of employees in our district, and I look forward to working with them as we continue to adapt to changes and serve our community.”

Wilder graduated from Taylor University in Indiana and Indiana University School of Law. She worked in a private practice before she was appointed judge in 2015.

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.