TOPEKA - Governor Laura Kelly and the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission on Friday announced the applicants for the vacancy on the Court of Appeals. The deadline to apply was 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. As of that deadline, the below individuals had submitted their applications for consideration.

• Meryl Carver-Allmond, Lawrence
• Ali Marchant, Wichita
• Catherine Zigtema, Shawnee
• Christopher Sook, Hays
• Courtney Boehm, Junction City
• Erin Thompson, Fairway
• Kate Butler, Topeka
• Randall Hodgkinson, Topeka
• Lori Bolton Fleming, Pittsburg
• Paul Klepper, Lawrence
• Paula Johnson, St. Louis
• Russell J. Keller, Fairway
• Paula Langworthy, Derby
• Regine Thompson, Scandia
• Sherri Schuck, Topeka
• Tonda Jones Hill, Lawrence
• David J. Rempel, Overland Park
• Jason Thompson, Topeka
• Kristen Wheeler, Wichita

The Commission will interview applicants on Jan. 28 and 29 to fill the vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Henry Green, Jr. Interviews will be held at the Washburn University School of Law and are open to the public.

Governor Kelly signed Executive Order 20-01 on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, establishing the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission. Under Kansas law, the governor appoints judges to the Court of Appeals subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate. The Commission will review each applicant’s background and qualifications, conduct interviews, and then submit three nominees for the governor to consider.

The interview schedule will be announced at a later date. All updates may be found at https://www.governor.ks.gov/newsroom/press-releases.