Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius named a Johnson County district judge Monday to a seat on the Kansas Court of Appeals, her fourth appointment in nine months.

Sebelius said Judge Patrick McAnany would bring a “wealth of knowledge and experience” to the appellate court.

McAnany, 60, has been a judge since 1995 and has been the chief judge of the countywide 10th Judicial District for the past three years. He previously was an attorney in private practice for 27 years.

He will replace former Judge Carol Beier, whom Sebelius appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court in July.

The Court of Appeals has 11 members, with one position added this year to help with its caseload. Other vacancies were created by the elevation in 2002 of Judge Robert Gernon to the Supreme Court and the retirement this year of Judge David S. Knudson.

Sebelius’ previous appointments to the Court of Appeals were Thomas Malone, a Sedgwick County district judge, in March; Richard D. Greene, a Wichita attorney, in April; and Stephen D. Hill, a Miami County district judge, in September.

Sebelius also announced Monday that she appointed Amy Harth as Miami County district judge, filling Hill’s previous position. Harth, 33, has been the assistant Miami County attorney since 1997, after she served two years as a public defender.