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.
Roster as of the CourtListener bulk-data snapshot (2026-03-31): recent departures and appointments may not be reflected, so it is shown as “on record,” not “currently serving.”
Justices on record
Former justices
| Justice | Years |
|---|---|
| Nancy Moritz | 2011–2014 |
| Robert L. Gernon | 2003–2005 |
| Robert Larson | 1995–2002 |
| Edward E. Davis | 1993–2009 |
| Bob Abbott | 1990–2003 |
| Frederick N. Six | 1990–2003 |
| Donald L. Allegrucci | 1987–2007 |
| Tyler C. Lockett | 1983–2003 |
| Harold Herd | 1979–1993 |
| J Richard Foth | 1977–1985 |
| Richard W. Holmes | 1977–1995 |
| Kay McFarland | 1977–1995 |
| Robert H. Miller | 1975–1990 |
| Perry L. Owsley | 1971–1978 |
| David Prager | 1971–1988 |
| Alex M. Fromme | 1966–1982 |
| Robert H. Kaul | 1965–1977 |
| Earl Eugene O'Connor | 1965–1971 |
| John F. Fontron | 1964–1975 |
| Schuyler W. Jackson | 1958–1964 |
| Fred Hall | 1957–1958 |
| Alfred G. Schroeder | 1957–1987 |
| Harold R. Fatzer | 1956–1977 |
| Clair E. Robb | 1955–1965 |
| Allen M. Kagey | 1950–1951 |
| William J. Wertz | 1950–1965 |
| Edward F. Arn | 1949–1950 |
| Austin M. Cowan | 1948–1948 |
| Robert T. Price | 1948–1971 |
| William B. Burch | 1945–1948 |
| Lloyd W. Harvey | 1945–1956 |
| Jay S. Parker | 1943–1966 |
| Homer Hoch | 1939–1949 |
| Hugo Kyle Allen | 1937–1943 |
| Harry T. Wedell | 1935–1955 |
| Walter G. Thiele | 1933–1957 |
| William A. Smith | 1930–1956 |
| Alfred West Harvey | 1928–1945 |
| William W. Benson | 1907–1915 |
| William A. Johnston | 1903–1935 |
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 (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data as of 2026-03-31 (CourtListener bulk snapshot). Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).