A state court of last resort / Established 1903

Kansas Supreme Court

Topeka · A court of last resort in Kansas.

The Kansas Supreme Court is the highest court in Kansas. Its justices are chosen by gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission, followed by retention elections. This page lists every justice to serve on the court, current and former, with when they joined the bench and whom they succeeded.

47
Justices in history
7
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
6-yr
Term
Current justices
Former justices
JusticeYears
Nancy Moritz2011–2014
Robert L. Gernon2003–2005
Robert Larson1995–2002
Edward E. Davis1993–2009
Bob Abbott1990–2003
Frederick N. Six1990–2003
Donald L. Allegrucci1987–2007
Tyler C. Lockett1983–2003
Harold Herd1979–1993
J Richard Foth1977–1985
Richard W. Holmes1977–1995
Kay McFarland1977–1995
Robert H. Miller1975–1990
Perry L. Owsley1971–1978
David Prager1971–1988
Alex M. Fromme1966–1982
Robert H. Kaul1965–1977
Earl Eugene O'Connor1965–1971
John F. Fontron1964–1975
Schuyler W. Jackson1958–1964
Fred Hall1957–1958
Alfred G. Schroeder1957–1987
Harold R. Fatzer1956–1977
Clair E. Robb1955–1965
Allen M. Kagey1950–1951
William J. Wertz1950–1965
Edward F. Arn1949–1950
Austin M. Cowan1948–1948
Robert T. Price1948–1971
William B. Burch1945–1948
Lloyd W. Harvey1945–1956
Jay S. Parker1943–1966
Homer Hoch1939–1949
Hugo Kyle Allen1937–1943
Harry T. Wedell1935–1955
Walter G. Thiele1933–1957
William A. Smith1930–1956
Alfred West Harvey1928–1945
William W. Benson1907–1915
William A. Johnston1903–1935

How a justice reaches this court. Justices of the Kansas Supreme Court are appointed by the governor to 6-year terms and then face yes-or-no retention elections. The Supreme Court Nominating Commission sends nominees to the governor, who appoints; justices then face retention elections for six-year terms. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any justice to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project; selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).