13 February 2006

Governor appoints first female district court judge to 28th district post
Sebelius names Rene Young to district court serving Ottawa and Saline counties

Citing her fairness, her temperament and her 20 years of legal experience in a wide range of cases, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed Rene Young to serve as a district court judge for the 28th Judicial District, which includes Ottawa and Saline counties. Young is the district’s first female district court judge.

“We require our judges to handle a wide range of cases, both criminal and civil, and to show fairness in all matters. Rene has both the experience and the sense of fairness Kansans demand from their judges,” said Sebelius. “Her medical training and practice as a registered nurse bring another important perspective to the bench.”

Throughout her career, Young has represented individuals in domestic, criminal, civil and bankruptcy law. Since 1994, she has been a partner with Denning and Young, LLC. Previously, she was in solo practice and began her legal career with King, Adrian, King & Brown, Chtd.

After receiving her diploma in nursing from Asbury Hospital School of Nursing in 1980, Young spent three years as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Asbury Hospital. She received her undergraduate degree from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1983. In 1986, she received her law degree from Washburn University School of Law.

Young is a member of the Kansas Bar Association and Kansas Trail Lawyers Association. She is also a member of the Saline-Ottawa County Bar Association, and currently serves as the organization’s treasurer. She and her husband, Fred, have three children, Ashley, Sean and Chris.

This appointment was effective February 11, 2006.