22 July 2005

Governor Sebelius appoints Eric Rosen to Kansas Supreme Court

TOPEKA, Kan. – Saying he will be a fair and prudent justice, and praising his respect for the law, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today announced her appointment of Shawnee County District Court Judge Eric Rosen to the Kansas Supreme Court.

“Judge Rosen has shown a commitment to fairness and a true respect for the law. I’m impressed with his sincerity, his compassion, and his strong belief that we are all equal before the law. All Kansans will be proud to have him serving on our state’s highest court,” said Governor Sebelius.

Rosen, 52, was appointed to the Shawnee County District Court in 1993. He was appointed to the Kansas Sentencing Commission in 2002 and has held four special appointments to the Kansas Court of Appeals. Prior to becoming a judge, he practiced law in private practice, in addition to serving as a prosecutor and public defender.

Rosen also served as an adjunct professor of law at Washburn and worked as a social worker for the Topeka school district. He earned his law degree in 1984 from Washburn, and holds two degrees from the University of Kansas. He and his wife Libby live in Topeka and have four sons, ranging in age from 17 to 30 years-old. They have three grandchildren.

Unlike presidential appointments to the United States Supreme Court, in which the President can choose any eligible individual to serve subject to Senate confirmation, under rules put in place by Kansas voters in 1958, Kansas Governors are given a list of three individuals from which to choose.

These individuals are selected by a nonpartisan nominating commission, which is made up of nine members. Four members of the commission are members of the public appointed by the governor, while the other five members are elected by members of the Kansas Bar. To ensure all parts of Kansas are represented, each congressional district is represented by at least two members.

The nominating commission can only nominate individuals who apply for the position in question. From the individuals who apply, the commission nominates three finalists, with the governor selecting from those finalists.

“This is a very public process which ensures nominees are chosen on the basis of merit,” said Governor Sebelius.

After their appointment, justices are subject to a retention vote by the people of Kansas every six years.

This position on the court became vacant because of the death in March of Justice Robert Gernon.

Governor Sebelius has appointed one other member to the Kansas Supreme Court, Justice Carol Beier, in September 2003.