Cheryl Semmel joins judicial branch as director of government relations

TOPEKA—Cheryl Semmel has been selected to fill the position of director of government relations in the office of the special counsel to the chief justice. 
 
As director of government relations, Semmel will help plan and organize the judicial branch legislative program, execute special projects and programs, and perform research and write memoranda on special topics.
 
Semmel will work with Marisa Bayless, who serves as special counsel to Chief Justice Marla Luckert. Bayless is liaison for the chief justice, the Supreme Court, and the judicial branch in matters before the Kansas Legislature.
 
Luckert says she looks forward to Semmel’s contributions as the judicial branch continues to modernize how courts serve Kansas communities.
 
“Cheryl brings a wealth of relevant experience she will use to help us articulate, quantify, and carry out strategies our courts will use to meet Kansans’ evolving needs,” Luckert said. “We’re delighted to have her on board.”   
 
Semmel was previously a partner in Topeka-based Ad Astra Government Relations, where she helped clients advance their legislative policy and appropriations priorities before the Kansas Legislature. She served as executive director for United School Administrators of Kansas from 2006 to 2015.
 
Before she moved to Kansas in 2006, Semmel worked in Washington, D.C., for the State of Delaware. In that role, she worked closely with congressional members, federal agencies, and national coalitions and associations to advance the state’s legislative and regulatory priorities at the federal level.
 
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the courts and eager to begin working with legislators in this new role,” Semmel said. “I believe my strong work ethic and personal and professional experiences prepared me to collaborate effectively to help advance the priorities identified by the judicial branch.”
 
Semmel earned a bachelor’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in budget and public finance from The George Washington University.