KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Supreme Court Justice Carol Beier says she will retire effective September 18. Beier announced her retirement Friday.
Her decision will give Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly the opportunity to appoint a third justice to the state Supreme Court.
Beier was served on the court since September of 2003, after being appointed by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Voters retained her in four elections since then.
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will choose three finalists to replace Beier, and Kelly will make the final selection. State law does not require the Legislature to approve Supreme Court appointments.
Governor Kelly released a statement saying, "Throughout Justice Carol Beier’s 17-year career on the Kansas Supreme Court she has served with integrity, impartiality and empathy, to deliver justice on behalf of the people of Kansas. As a founding member of the Kansas Women Attorneys Association, serving on the Court of Appeals, and as the third woman to sit on Kansas’ highest court, Carol has served as a role model for many Kansans. I wish Carol the best in her well-deserved retirement, and I thank her for her service to our state."
