Topeka ? Peggy Carr Kittel won’t have far to move for her new job.

Kittel, currently a judge pro tem in Douglas County, was appointed district court judge by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Monday.

Kittel, of Lawrence, will replace Stephen Six, whom Sebelius appointed state attorney general in January after a sex scandal caused the resignation of Paul Morrison.

“Peggy brings over 25 years of legal experience to this position and has served as a dedicated public servant for the majority of her career,” Sebelius said.

“During that time she has proven to be a respected leader within the legal community. I am confident Peggy will serve the citizens of the 7th District with fairness and integrity,” Sebelius added.

As judge pro tem since 2001, Kittel has overseen juvenile offender proceedings, criminal appearances and enforcement of child support and parenting time orders.

Prior to her service as judge pro tem, Kittel was the assistant district attorney in Douglas County for six years and assistant district attorney in Wyandotte County for six years.

Kittel also worked in private practice and for the Lawrence law firm Allen, Cooley & Allen, now known as Gilliland & Hayes. She received her law degree and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kansas University.

Kittel and her husband, Rick, have a son, Jim, 13.

Kittel was selected from three nominees. The other two were Trevor C. Wohlford, executive director and chief legal counsel for the State Board of Tax Appeals; and Justice B. King, managing partner of the Topeka law firm of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith.

The district judge position pays $117,109 per year; the pro tem job was 80 percent of full time and paid $50,935 annually, according to county officials.