News & Press https://www.wichitabar.org/news/default.asp Thu, 4 Jun 2026 21:24:42 GMT Fri, 13 Mar 2020 18:21:57 GMT Copyright © 2020 Wichita Bar Association Governor Appoints Kellie Hogan to Fill District Court Vacancy in 18th Judicial District https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=493456 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=493456 TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -- Governor Laura Kelly appointed Kellie E. Hogan today to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Hon.Terry Pullman.

Hogan, from Wichita, graduated from the University of Kansas in 1992 and earned her juris doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1995. She is an attorney with Kansas Legal Services, where she spent over two decades representing clients in a variety of cases, including adoption, juvenile, divorce and disability. She is also active in the community, as a member of the Wichita Bar Association, the Wichita Women Attorneys Association, the Kansas Women Attorneys Association, the Wichita Public Library Foundation Board, Cornerstones of Care Wichita Community Council and the District of Kansas Federal Bench/Bar Committee. She is also the chair of the WBA Grow Your Own Lawyer Program.

“Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to helping clients, many of whom are going through significant struggle in their lives, as they navigate difficult situations in our judicial system,” Hogan said. “That experience has enabled me to see our courts through many perspectives. As a judge, my first duties will be to make impartial, fair rulings, and to see that the law is followed, but I will also ensure that every litigant in my courtroom is heard. The citizens of Sedgwick County deserve my best efforts, and I will do my best every day.”

Judges in Sedgwick County are elected and serve four-year terms. When a judge retires in the middle of a term, the Governor appoints a new judge to finish out the term. The Division 16 position to which Hogan is being appointed will be on the ballot in 2020.

]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:21:57 GMT Hon. Marla Luckert Will Renew Oath of Office, Become Chief Justice Today https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=482176 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=482176 When Justice Marla Luckert renews her oath of office in an investiture ceremony at 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, she will become the second woman to serve as chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court.

The ceremony will take place in front of an invited audience in the Supreme Court Courtroom in the Kansas Judicial Center. A live internet broadcast of the investiture will available online by following the Watch Supreme Court Live! link from the judicial branch website at www.kscourts.org starting at 3 p.m.

The oath is the same for all justices and judges in the appellate courts and in all district courts across Kansas. It reads:

"I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of the office, so help me God."

When Luckert's term as chief justice begins, it will be the first time in the history of the Kansas judicial branch that a woman has held the chief justice position on the Supreme Court and the chief judge position on the Court of Appeals. Judge Karen Arnold-Burger has served as chief judge of the Kansas Court of Appeals since 2017.

Luckert succeeds Lawton Nuss, who retires Tuesday after serving 17 years on the Supreme Court and 10 years as chief justice. The Kansas Constitution states that the justice who is senior in continuous term of service will serve as chief justice.

Governor Bill Graves appointed Luckert to the Supreme Court in 2002. She had been chief judge of the 3rd Judicial District, which is composed of Shawnee County, for three years. She was the first woman to be appointed a chief judge of a judicial district in Kansas.

Luckert is a fourth-generation native of Sherman County. She has been a Shawnee County resident since enrolling at Washburn University for her undergraduate studies. She earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1977, then received a law degree in 1980 at Washburn University School of Law. After working 12 years in private practice, she was appointed a district judge for the 3rd Judicial District in 1992.

Luckert has been married 40 years and has three children and two grandchildren.

The Kansas Supreme Court is the highest court in the state court system and it is composed of seven justices. A Supreme Court decision sets binding legal precedent that lower courts must follow. The court approves rules of procedure and practice used throughout courts in Kansas. Under the Kansas Constitution, the court has supervisory authority over the entire judicial branch of government and over all judicial officers and court employees.

State of Kansas
Office of Judicial Administration
Kansas Judicial Center
301 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1507
785-296-2256
www.kscourts.org

]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2019 20:09:37 GMT Governor Appoints Monique Centeno to Fill District Court Vacancy in the 18th Judicial District https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=467412 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=467412 Governor Laura Kelly appointed Monique Centeno to fill the term of retiring Chief Judge James Fleetwood.

“Monique is a talented attorney, and I am confident she will serve Sedgwick County and the state well,” Kelly said. “Monique’s commitment to the legal profession and the community have prepared her for service on the bench, and she will be an excellent judge.”

Centeno is a trial attorney at Wall Huntington Law Firm in Wichita, where she represents individual clients in personal injury and civil rights. Her prior experience includes nine years as an Assistant Public Defender in the Sedgwick County Public Defender’s office. Centeno is also active in the community, as a member of the American Association for Justice, Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, Kansas Women Attorneys Association, Wichita Bar Association, and a repeat volunteer with the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program.

Centeno was born in Brooklyn, New York, and traveled extensively throughout childhood while her father served in the United States Army. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 2000, and earned her juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law in 2005.

“I’m eager to get to work and continue serving my community in my new role,” Centeno said. “I take the opportunity to serve as a district judge very seriously, and I thank Governor Kelly for trusting me to handle this important position. Every person who appears in court before me will be heard and respected, and I look forward to working with our legal community and my colleagues on the bench to continue improving the services the court provides to Sedgwick County.”

Judges in Sedgwick County are elected and serve four-year terms. When a Judge retires in the middle of a term, the Governor appoints a new judge to finish out the term. The Division 11 position to which Centeno is being appointed will be on the ballot in 2020.

]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2019 22:43:19 GMT Two Judges Appointed to Municipal Court Judges Education Committee https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=461555 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=461555 The Kansas Supreme Court appointed Steve Baccus and Ted Griffith to the Municipal Court Judges Education Committee.

Baccus is municipal judge for the city of Minneapolis. Griffith is municipal judge for the city of Wichita.

Their terms began July 1 and end June 30, 2022.

The committee recommends and organizes education and training programs for municipal judges and certifies municipal judges who are not lawyers.

Members of the committee include municipal judges, a representative of the Office of Judicial Administration, the president and past-president of the Kansas Municipal Judges Association, and a Supreme Court justice.

State of Kansas
Office of Judicial Administration
Kansas Judicial Center
301 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1507
785-296-2256
www.kscourts.org


]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2019 22:27:33 GMT New Chief Judge Appointed for 18th Judicial District https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=458148 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=458148

The Kansas Supreme Court has appointed District Judge Jeff Goering as chief judge of the 18th Judicial District effective from June 30 through December 31, 2019.

District Judge Jeff Goering

Goering will succeed Judge James Fleetwood, who will retire June 29.

The 18th Judicial District is composed of Sedgwick County.

“We are glad that Judge Goering has agreed to serve as chief judge, providing continuity in capable leadership in the 18th Judicial District,” said Lawton Nuss, chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court.

Goering was elected in 2004 as a district judge.

“Judge Fleetwood is a tough act to follow,” Goering said. “I’m very grateful to him for leaving behind a well-managed district, and I’m humbled to be appointed by the Supreme Court to replace him.”

Goering graduated from Washburn University School of Law, then worked as an assistant district attorney in the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office from 1991 to 1992. He was in private practice in Leavenworth from 1992 to 1996, during which time he also was municipal judge for the City of Leavenworth. He returned to Wichita and was in private practice from 1996 to 2005. During that time he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, serving from 2003 to 2004. He was a member of the Kansas Sentencing Commission from 2003 to 2004.

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.

State of Kansas
Office of Judicial Administration
Kansas Judicial Center
301 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1507
]]> Wed, 26 Jun 2019 19:51:56 GMT Gilliland & Hays LLC Law Firm Announcement https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=398020 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=398020 At Gilliland & Hayes LLC, a firm currently with 4 offices across the state of Kansas, unwavering service to clients has been our singular commitment. With a nod to our 59-year history and an eye on the future, we have determined to best serve our clients by forming new separate entities. First, upon the dissolution of Gilliland & Hayes, LLC effective May 1, 2018, our colleagues in our Hutchinson office will begin practicing under the name of Gilliland Green LLC with a continuation of the legacy established in 1959 by the founders of Gilliland & Hayes. Gilliland Green attorneys Jim Gilliland, Jerry Green, Brad Dillon, Tracy Cole, Tad Dower, Melissa Moodie, Torrance Parkins and J. Stanley Hill will practice at the same location of 20 W. 2nd in Hutchinson.

At the same time, our colleagues in the Wichita office will begin a new practice under the name of Gibson Watson Marino LLC (GWM) where they will continue providing unsurpassed client service in the community where their lawyers have practiced for decades.  The effective date of the new GWM practice is also May 1, 2018.  GWM attorneys John Gibson, Michelle Watson, Andrew Marino, Richard Samaniego, Justen Phelps and Patricia Dengler will continue practicing in the same location at the Epic Center, at 301 N. Main, Suite 1300 in Wichita.

Also effective May 1, 2018, our attorneys in Overland Park, Carol Smith & James Nelson, will join the Kansas City law firm of Dysart Taylor Cotter McMonigle & Montemore, P.C. (Dysart Taylor) located at 4420 Madison Ave., Suite 200 in Kansas City Missouri.  Dysart Taylor is an established full-service law firm where Carol and James will continue their practice in the areas of fidelity, surety and construction law.

Lisa Ward will join the law firm of Addair Thurston, Chtd. in Manhattan to lead the firm’s business and estate planning division.  Addair Thurston, Chtd. is located at 103 S. 4th, Suite 201, Manhattan, Kansas.  Addair Thurston also represents clients in the areas of family law, criminal defense and immigration.  Lisa will continue to serve clients in Hutchinson monthly.   

These decisions were arrived at amicably, in the best interest of our clients, and with the utmost respect for one another. Collectively, we are committed to a seamless transition for clients and look forward to many years of continued service. We are honored to have practiced together with esteemed colleagues for many years, and look toward the future with a renewed commitment to client service.

 

]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2018 20:52:52 GMT Seasoned Wichita Attorneys Form New Practice as State-Wide Firm Announces Dissolution https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=398018 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=398018 Six attorneys, formerly of the Wichita office of Gilliland & Hayes LLC, have announced the formation of a new practice.  John H. Gibson, owner, announced today the formation of Gibson Watson Marino LLC (GWM) Attorneys at Law, featuring a seasoned group of attorneys who have practiced together in the Wichita office of Gilliland & Hayes for the past several years.

The Gibson Watson Marino LLC announcement comes as the owners of Gilliland & Hayes announce the firm’s intention to dissolve effective May 1, 2018. “GWM’s practice will offer clients the same service-driven focus, talent and continuity that clients had come to expect from Gilliland & Hayes,” said Gibson. “We believe this new formation continues to offer our clients a breadth of specialties to serve their most critical legal needs.”

Gibson Watson Marino’s attorneys are John H. Gibson, Michelle M. Watson, Andrew Marino, Richard Samaniego, Patty Dengler and Justen Phelps, all of whom have established well-respected practices at Gilliland & Hayes. Gibson Watson Marino will maintain a focus on the most sought-after of G&H’s specialties. The firm will continue to office at 301 N. Main Street, Suite 1300, where they’ve served Gilliland & Hayes clients for 16 years. The phone number, 316-264-7321, will remain the same.  The firm’s new website is www.gibsonwatsonlaw.com

Michelle M. Watson, GWM owner, noted that the idea of the new practice evolved naturally as Gilliland & Hayes partners made known their intentions. “As discussions began regarding the future of Gilliland & Hayes, our Wichita office attorneys came together and were excited about the prospect of continuing the legacy of quality service with our own firm. We look forward to continuing to serve clients for decades to come.”

Culturally, GWM will operate much the same as G&H, with a broad emphasis on the areas of medical malpractice defense, insurance defense, business litigation, municipal law, employment law, health and cyber law, family law, small business and banking law, probate and estate planning.

____________

Gibson Watson Marino LLC is a full-service law firm based in Wichita, Kan., with clients throughout South Central Kansas and the Midwest. GWM’s major areas of practice include medical malpractice defense, insurance defense, business litigation, municipal law, employment law, health and cyber law, family law, small business and banking law, probate and estate planning.

Learn more at www.gibsonwatsonlaw.com. 

 

 

]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2018 20:49:42 GMT John W. Broomes Confirmed by Senate https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=396586 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=396586 John W. Broomes was confirmed by the Senate yesterday afternoon and will be informally sworn in this coming Tuesday afternoon.  He will be located in room 232, and his assigned courtroom is 238.  His chambers phone numbers are being set up, and the directory will be updated as soon as they are active.  Joyce Roach will be his courtroom deputy, Michael Lahey and Rachael Silva will be his law clerks, and Jana McKinney will be his court reporter.  Judge Broomes' court e-mail is now active.

Jamie M. Haig
Division Manager
204 U.S. Courthouse
401 N. Market
Wichita, Kansas 67202
(316)315-4205

]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:33:37 GMT Honorable Steve Leben - Recipient of the Chief Justice Richard W. Holmes Award of Merit https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=380596 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=380596 Honorable Steve Leben, of the Kansas Court of Appeals, is the 2017 recipient of the Chief Justice Richard W. Holmes Award of Merit, for his contributions to the judiciary.

]]> Wed, 3 Jan 2018 17:49:58 GMT Stephen McAllister Confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the New U.S. Attorney for Kansas https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=380594 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=380594 Stephen McAllister, who serves as the Kansas solicitor general and is the former dean of KU’s Law School, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new U.S. Attorney for Kansas. 

]]> Wed, 3 Jan 2018 17:47:50 GMT Richard A. Macias Appointed as New District Court Judge https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=377397 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=377397 Governor Sam Brownback on Wednesday announced the appointment of Richard A. Macias of Wichita as a District Judge in the 18th District, Division 8.

Macias will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy G. Lahey.

]]> Wed, 6 Dec 2017 15:51:18 GMT James Fleetwood reappointed chief judge of 18th Judicial District https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=373841 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=373841 TOPEKA — Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss announced today the Supreme Court has reappointed Judge James Fleetwood to a two-year term as chief judge of the 18th Judicial District, effective January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019.
 
Fleetwood has served as district judge in the 18th Judicial District since 1997 and chief judge since 2009. He presides over cases in Sedgwick County.
 
"We are glad that Judge Fleetwood agreed to serve another two years as chief judge, providing continuity in capable leadership in the 18th Judicial District," said Nuss.
 
"Being chief judge of the 18th Judicial District has been an honor and personally rewarding," Fleetwood said. "As chief judge I have had many opportunities to associate not only with the best of the judicial branch of Kansas but to also work in conjunction with many community leaders dedicated to the improvement of Sedgwick County and Kansas."
 
Fleetwood is a long-term resident of Kansas and graduated from Washburn University School of Law. He had an active law career in private and corporate practice before he was elected to the bench.
 
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.
 
 
State of Kansas
Office of Judicial Administration
Kansas Judicial Center
301 SW 10th
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1507
785-296-2256
]]> Thu, 9 Nov 2017 19:28:11 GMT Effective July 1, 2017: House Substitute for SENATE BILL No. 120 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=348254 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=348254 Senate Bill No. 120 changes the rules of civil procedure, it's effective July 1st.

To read in its entirety, please click the link below.

Senate Bill No. 120

]]> Fri, 2 Jun 2017 18:39:24 GMT Congratulations to our 2017 Award Recipients https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=334294 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=334294 2017 Award Recipients

Lifetime Achievement Award: 
   Warner Eisenbise

Howard C. Kline Distinguished Service Award: 
   Kari S. Schmidt

Chester I. Lewis Diversity Achievement Award: 
   Gloria Farha Flentje

President’s award:
   Kellie Hogan
   Richard Samaniego
   Hon. William Woolley

Jonalou Pinnell Distinguished Service Award: 
   Kansas Association of Legal Assistants (KALA)

Liberty Bell Award: 
   Ed Trusty

]]> Wed, 10 May 2017 05:00:00 GMT Congratulations to the Newly Elected WBA Officers & Board Members for 2017 - 2018 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=335838 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=335838 2017 - 2018 WBA Officers & Board

President-Elect - John Rapp

Vice President - Rebecca Mann

Secretary-Treasurer - C. Edward Watson

Board Members - Amanda Marino, Mindy McPheeters and Hon. Warren Wilbert

SCLL Board of Trustees - Lee Woodard

]]> Thu, 16 Mar 2017 17:09:12 GMT LEXIS Advance search engine now available https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=331226 https://www.wichitabar.org/news/news.asp?id=331226 The Sedgwick County Law Library has switched over to the LEXIS Advance search engine.  The service remains free to patrons.

 

]]> Wed, 15 Feb 2017 20:56:27 GMT