Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Anthony Powell to retire June 30 – Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Choose Anthony Powell is making ready to retire from the Kansas Court docket of Appeals after 9 years within the function.

Powell, appointed to the state appeals courtroom in January 2013 by then-Gov. Sam Brownback, will step away June 30, the courtroom introduced Monday. After his appointment, Powell was the primary choose to proceed to stay and primarily work in Wichita.

Two extra judges on the Court docket of Appeals now stay and work in Wichita and one other in Salina, a geographic variety that Powell mentioned advantages the courtroom.

“My hope was that by proving this might be carried out efficiently, it might encourage others from outdoors of northeast Kansas to use and serve on the Court docket of Appeals,” Powell mentioned. “I feel I’ve succeeded.”

Throughout his time on the courtroom, Powell heard greater than 2,000 circumstances and wrote 672 opinions.

Earlier than his appointment, Powell served 4 phrases within the Kansas Home of Representatives, whereas he labored in non-public follow earlier than changing into a district choose in Sedgwick County for 11 years. He was impressed to change into a choose after filling the function in a moot courtroom competitors at Washburn College Faculty of Legislation.

“I’m very proud that I stored my guarantees to the folks of Kansas once I turned a choose — to faithfully observe the legislation and do not forget that each case is necessary to the litigants,” Powell mentioned. “I’ve been very proud to be a guardian of our constitutional rights.”

Powell was born in Minnesota, graduated from George Washington College and labored within the U.S. Home and Senate earlier than coming to Topeka to attend legislation faculty. 

“Choose Powell has been a state consultant, lawyer, and congressional aide, and an lively member of his neighborhood,” Brownback mentioned in a information launch on the time of Powell’s appointment. “He’s an achieved legal professional, and I’m assured that he’ll serve with honor and distinction.”

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has 60 days from June 30 to nominate a alternative, topic to a majority affirmation vote within the Senate. After serving one 12 months in workplace, a brand new choose should stand for a retention vote within the first common election.

As soon as retained, the choose serves a four-year time period.

A state appeals courtroom choose have to be not less than 30 years outdated and have been a Kansas lawyer, choose or full-time instructor for at least 10 years.

Kelly has efficiently appointed 5 judges to the Kansas Court docket of Appeals: Sarah Warner in 2019, Amy Cline, Jacy Hurst and Lesley Ann Isherwood in 2021, and Angela Coble in 2022. The Senate twice rejected the nomination of Carl Folsom to the courtroom, complaining of his singular profession expertise in public protection.