Kansas Court of Appeals

Kansas Court of Appeals
Court information
Judges:	14
Salary:	Associates: $163,156
Judicial selection
Method:	Assisted appointment
Term:	4 years
Published opinions

The Kansas Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court in Kansas. The judges of the court ordinarily do not conduct trials. They decide appealed cases by reading the record of the trial, reviewing briefs filed by the parties, and hearing oral arguments from lawyers. They research and review the law involved in the case and then write an opinion that is usually published in bound volumes.

The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal appeals from the Kansas district courts, with the exception of appeals made directly to the Kansas Supreme Court, and has original jurisdiction in habeas corpus actions.

Cases on appeal are heard by a three-judge panel at courts located throughout the state. The chief judge of the court assigns both the judges to each panel and the cases that are to be heard by each panel. The main location of the Kansas Court of Appeals is the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka, Kansas. Decisions of the Kansas Court of Appeals are filed weekly, usually on Friday mornings.

Judges

Judges of the Kansas Court of Appeals, 2018

Judge	Tenure	Appointed By
Kim R. Schroeder	2013 - Present	Sam Brownback
Stephen Hill	December 5, 2003 - Present	Kathleen Sebelius
Thomas E. Malone	May 2, 2003 - Present	Kathleen Sebelius
Karen Arnold-Burger	March 4, 2011 - Present	Mark Parkinson
G. Gordon Atcheson	July 14, 2010 - Present	Mark Parkinson
Sarah Warner	May 29, 2019 - Present	Laura Kelly
David E. Bruns	June 3, 2011 - Present	Sam Brownback
Kathryn Gardner	January 29, 2015 - Present	Sam Brownback
Angela Coble	May 17, 2022 - Present	Laura Kelly
Jacy Hurst	March 23, 2021 - Present	Laura Kelly
Lesley Ann Isherwood	April 30, 2021 - Present	Laura Kelly
Amy Cline	February 26, 2021 - Present	Laura Kelly
Rachel Pickering	April 27, 2023 - Present	Laura Kelly

Senior judges

• Richard B. Walker

Judicial selection

See also: Judicial selection in Kansas

The fourteen judges on the Kansas Court of Appeals are appointed by the governor with every nomination subject to confirmation by the Kansas State Senate. Newly appointed judges serve for at least one year, after which they must stand for retention in the next even-year general election. If retained, the judge serves a four-year term and must stand for retention every four years after that point to remain in office.

Qualifications

To serve on this court, a judge must:

• have at least 10 years of active and continuous law practice in the state;
• be at least 30 years old; and
• be no older than 75. If a sitting judge turns 75 while on the bench, he or she may serve out the term.

Chief judge

The chief judge for the court of appeals is selected by the supreme court.

Vacancies

If a midterm vacancy occurs on the court, the position is filled as it normally would be had the vacancy occurred at the end of a judge's term. The governor appoints a new judge, who must be confirmed by the Kansas State Senate. He or she then serves at least one year following his or her initial appointment and must stand for retention at the next statewide general election to remain in office.

Elections

2024

See also: Kansas intermediate appellate court elections, 2024

The terms of seven Kansas intermediate appellate court judges expired on January 13, 2025. The seven seats were up for retention election on November 5, 2024. The filing deadline was August 5, 2024.

Candidates and results

Arnold-Burger's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Karen Arnold-Burger's seat

Karen Arnold-Burger was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 68.8% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	68.8	710,812
			No	31.2	321,739
			Total Votes		1,032,551

---

It has been certified. Source

Warner's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Sarah Warner's seat

Sarah Warner was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 76.0% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	76.0	796,547
			No	24.0	251,916
			Total Votes		1,048,463

---

It has been certified. Source

Bruns' seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, David E. Bruns' seat

David E. Bruns was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 73.1% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	73.1	757,871
			No	26.9	278,790
			Total Votes		1,036,661

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It has been certified. Source

Atcheson's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, G. Gordon Atcheson's seat

G. Gordon Atcheson was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 67.5% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	67.5	694,843
			No	32.5	334,046
			Total Votes		1,028,889

---

It has been certified. Source

Pickering's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Rachel Pickering's seat

Rachel Pickering was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 68.9% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	68.9	707,394
			No	31.1	320,030
			Total Votes		1,027,424

---

It has been certified. Source

Coble's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Angela Coble's seat

Angela Coble was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 70.2% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	70.2	720,974
			No	29.8	305,974
			Total Votes		1,026,948

---

It has been certified. Source

Gardner's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Kathryn Gardner's seat

Kathryn Gardner was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 73.7% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	73.7	757,867
			No	26.3	270,006
			Total Votes		1,027,873

---

It has been certified. Source

2022

See also: Kansas intermediate appellate court elections, 2022

Candidates and election results

Cline's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Amy Cline's seat

Amy Cline was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 68.8% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	68.8	580,472
			No	31.2	262,901
			Total Votes		843,373

---

It has been certified. Source

Green's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Henry Green's seat

Henry Green was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.4% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	69.4	581,926
			No	30.6	256,797
			Total Votes		838,723

---

It has been certified. Source

Hill's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Stephen Hill's seat

Stephen Hill was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.5% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	69.5	588,865
			No	30.5	258,303
			Total Votes		847,168

---

It has been certified. Source

Hurst's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Jacy Hurst's seat

Jacy Hurst was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 68.5% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	68.5	573,829
			No	31.5	264,160
			Total Votes		837,989

---

It has been certified. Source

Isherwood's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Lesley Ann Isherwood's seat

Lesley Ann Isherwood was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.3% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	69.3	585,458
			No	30.7	259,376
			Total Votes		844,834

---

It has been certified. Source

Malone's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Thomas E. Malone's seat

Thomas E. Malone was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 69.3% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	69.3	581,830
			No	30.7	258,187
			Total Votes		840,017

---

It has been certified. Source

Schroeder's seat

Kansas Court of Appeals, Kim R. Schroeder's seat

Kim R. Schroeder was retained to the Kansas Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 72.3% of the vote.

			Retention  Vote	%	Votes
		✔	Yes	72.3	609,039
			No	27.7	233,862
			Total Votes		842,901

---

It has been certified. Source

Judges not on the ballot

• Tony Powell (retention election canceled after Powell retired on June 30, 2022)
  

2020

See also: Kansas intermediate appellate court elections, 2020

Candidates and results

Warner's seat

General election candidates

• Sarah Warner  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Bruns' seat

General election candidates

• David E. Bruns  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Atcheson's seat

General election candidates

• G. Gordon Atcheson  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Arnold-Burger's seat

General election candidates

• Karen Arnold-Burger  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

Gardner's seat

General election candidates

• Kathryn Gardner  (Incumbent) (Nonpartisan) ✔

2018

See also: Kansas intermediate appellate court elections, 2018

Candidates and results

Hill's seat

General election

General election for Kansas Court of Appeals

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephen Hill (Nonpartisan)	74.7	681,026
		Other/Write-in votes	25.3	230,633

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 911,659
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Schroeder's seat

General election

General election for Kansas Court of Appeals

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kim R. Schroeder (Nonpartisan)	75.5	684,477
		Other/Write-in votes	24.5	222,665

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 907,142
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Green's seat

General election

General election for Kansas Court of Appeals

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Henry Green (Nonpartisan)	74.3	666,933
		Other/Write-in votes	25.7	231,022

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 897,955
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Powell's seat

General election

General election for Kansas Court of Appeals

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tony Powell (Nonpartisan)	73.3	659,701
		Other/Write-in votes	26.7	240,517

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 900,218
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Malone's seat

General election

General election for Kansas Court of Appeals

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Thomas E. Malone (Nonpartisan)	74.2	666,342
		Other/Write-in votes	25.8	232,151

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 898,493
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Buser's seat

General election

General election for Kansas Court of Appeals

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Buser (Nonpartisan)	66.7	597,509
		Other/Write-in votes	33.3	298,030

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 895,539
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Standridge's seat

General election

General election for Kansas Court of Appeals

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melissa Standridge (Nonpartisan)	69.2	620,903
		Other/Write-in votes	30.8	276,479

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 897,382
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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2016

Judges who faced retention

■ Steve Leben
■ Joseph Pierron
■ David E. Bruns
■ G. Gordon Atcheson
■ Karen Arnold-Burger
■ Kathryn Gardner

Election results

November 8 general election

Steve Leben was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Leben's Seat election with 59.81% of the vote.

Kansas Court of Appeals, Leben's Seat, 2016
Name	Yes votes
Steve Leben	59.81%
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results

Joseph Pierron was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Pierron's Seat election with 59.47% of the vote.

Kansas Court of Appeals, Pierron's Seat, 2016
Name	Yes votes
Joseph Pierron	59.47%
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results

David E. Bruns was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Bruns' Seat election with 71.90% of the vote.

Kansas Court of Appeals, Bruns' Seat, 2016
Name	Yes votes
David E. Bruns	71.90%
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results

G. Gordon Atcheson was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Atcheson's Seat election with 59.38% of the vote.

Kansas Court of Appeals, Atcheson's Seat, 2016
Name	Yes votes
G. Gordon Atcheson	59.38%
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results

Karen Arnold-Burger was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Arnold-Burger's Seat election with 60.18% of the vote.

Kansas Court of Appeals, Arnold-Burger's Seat, 2016
Name	Yes votes
Karen Arnold-Burger	60.18%
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results

Kathryn Gardner was retained in the Kansas Court of Appeals, Gardner's Seat election with 72.87% of the vote.

Kansas Court of Appeals, Gardner's Seat, 2016
Name	Yes votes
Kathryn Gardner	72.87%
Source: Kansas Secretary of State Official Results

2014

Retention

Judge	Election Vote
HillStephen Hill	59.5% A
SchroederKim R. Schroeder	61.6% A
PowellTony Powell	66.1% A
StandridgeMelissa Standridge	60.6% A
GreenHenry Green (Kansas)	66.3% A
McAnanyPatrick McAnany	59.3% A
BuserMichael Buser	58.9% A
MaloneThomas E. Malone	67% A

See also: Kansas judicial elections, 2014

2012

Judge	Incumbency	Division	Retention vote	Retention Vote %
BrunsDavid E. Bruns   A	Yes		658,691	75%A
AtchesonG. Gordon Atcheson   A	Yes		617,265	71%A
PierronJoseph Pierron   A	Yes		654,838	74%A
Arnold-BurgerKaren Arnold-Burger   A	Yes		625,724	71%A
LebenSteve Leben   A	Yes		639,388	72%A

See also: Kansas judicial elections, 2012

Ethics

The Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates in Kansas. It consists of four overarching canons:

“

Canon 1: A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. Canon 2: A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently. Canon 3: A judge shall conduct the judge's personal and extrajudicial activities to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office. Canon 4: A judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary.

”

The full text of the Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct can be found here.

Removal of judges

Judges in Kansas may be removed in one of two ways:

• The Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications hears allegations of misconduct, investigates, and may hold formal hearings on the allegations. The commission, if it finds that the judge committed the misconduct by clear and convincing evidence, may then admonish or issue a cease-and-desist order on the judge. The commission may also submit a recommendation to the Kansas Supreme Court that a judge be removed from the bench, publicly censured, compulsorily retired, or suspended.
• A judge may also be removed by impeachment and then conviction, pursuant to Article 2 of the Kansas State Constitution.

State profile

Demographic data for Kansas
	Kansas	U.S.
Total population:	2,906,721	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	81,759	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	85.2%	73.6%
Black/African American:	5.8%	12.6%
Asian:	2.6%	5.1%
Native American:	0.8%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0.1%	0.2%
Two or more:	3.3%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	11.2%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	90.2%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	31%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$52,205	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	15%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Kansas. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Kansas

Kansas voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

More Kansas coverage on Ballotpedia

• Elections in Kansas
• United States congressional delegations from Kansas
• Public policy in Kansas
• Endorsers in Kansas
• Kansas fact checks
• More...

See also

External links

• Kansas Judicial Branch, "Court of Appeals"
• Kansas Judicial Branch, "Kansas Court of Appeals Judges"

Footnotes

Kansas courts

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Federal courts:

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Kansas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Kansas

State courts:

Kansas Supreme Court • Kansas Court of Appeals • Kansas District Courts • Kansas Municipal Courts

State resources:

Courts in Kansas • Kansas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Kansas