Sebelius appoints Eric Godderz to Fourth Judicial District Court Judge

Citing his extensive trial experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed Eric William Godderz to serve as district judge in the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Anderson, Coffey, Franklin and Osage counties.

“Eric’s experience on both sides of the courtroom has prepared him to serve from another vantage point, the judge’s bench,” Sebelius said. “The people of the Fourth Judicial District will be well-served by his knowledge of the judicial system and his commitment to objectivity and fairness.”

A graduate of Burlingame High School, Godderz went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas before obtaining his Juris Doctorate from Washburn Law School in 1989.

Beginning his law career as Assistant Saline County Attorney in 1989, Godderz has gone on to serve as a state public defender, Osage County Attorney, and has been in partnership with his father at the Godderz Law Firm for over a decade. Having tried more than 75 jury trials, Godderz also has experience in a number of areas of the law, both civil and criminal.

Godderz is a member of the Kansas Bar Association, Kansas County and District Attorneys Association, Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, and president of the Osage County Bar Association.

Active in his community, Godderz is president of the Burlingame Rotary Club, serves on the Burlingame Civic Improvement Committee and is a member of the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce.

Eric and his wife, Gerri, have six children, Jordan age 11, Evan age 9, Laurel age 7, Regan age 5, Lindsey age 3 and Ethan age 2.

# # #