Topeka ? An attorney, a federal prosecutor and a state district court judge are finalists for a seat on the Kansas Court of Appeals.

The nominees are attorney David Snapp, of Dodge City; Nancy Caplinger, of Topeka, the appellate coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office; and Judge Patrick McAnany, of Johnson County.

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission, which screens applications for positions on the state’s appellate courts, forwarded the finalists’ names to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who has 60 days, or until Jan. 5, to make a decision.

Sebelius created the latest vacancy on the 11-member Court of Appeals in July, by appointing Judge Carol Beier to the Kansas Supreme Court. The appointment will be Sebelius’ fourth to the Court of Appeals since taking office.

The three nominees for the latest Court of Appeals vacancy were among 30 attorneys and judges who applied for the job.