Lawrence judge named new AG, promises to serve with integrity / LJWorld.com

Archive for Saturday, January 19, 2008

Democrats hope Six restores order, confidence

By George Diepenbrock & Scott Rothschild

January 19, 2008

Sebelius names county judge to AG post

A Douglas County District Court judge will soon leave his robe and gavel behind and head to Topeka to take over as Kansas Attorney General. Enlarge video

County to begin search for new judge

Here in Douglas County, the search is on for a replacement for the District Court seat left open with Stephen Six's departure to Topeka. Enlarge video

Judge Six named Kansas A.G.

Sebelius appoints Douglas County Judge Stephen Six as new attorney general Enlarge video

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Topeka — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Friday selected a little-known judge with scant political experience to one of the most important positions in state government at a time when the job has been rocked by scandal.

But those who know Douglas County District Court Judge Stephen Six say he is up to the task.

"He is a person of enormous integrity," said state Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, an attorney who has known Six for 15 years. "He is one of the best legal minds in Kansas, and I think that he is going to restore some very much-needed stability in that office."

Sebelius hopes Six, a Lawrence resident, will help the public forget about current Attorney General Paul Morrison, whom Sebelius helped lure to the Democratic Party.

After Morrison trounced incumbent Republican Phill Kline, an anti-abortion advocate, in 2006, he was treated like a rock star in the Kansas Democratic Party.

But Morrison's career dropped like a rock after recently admitting to a two-year affair with a subordinate who is accusing him of sexual harassment and ethical improprieties. He denies the allegations of harassment and improper conduct, but faces several investigations and announced he would resign.

At a packed news conference Friday, Sebelius focused on Six and didn't mention Morrison.

"I'm confident that in Judge Six, the people of Kansas have an attorney general dedicated to ensuring that the people's law firm is led both effectively and responsibly with character and integrity," Sebelius said.

Sebelius' message was clear - Six's mission was to restore order to an office that she conceded "has been through some turmoil."

Family roots

Six, 42, the son of retired Kansas Supreme Court Justice Fred Six, promised "to serve with integrity as an independent representative of the people of Kansas."

He will take office Jan. 31 to finish the three years left on Morrison's term.

Flanked by his wife, Betsy, a lecturer at Kansas University law school, and their four children, Six talked about the lessons handed down from his grandfather and father.

"You gain a reputation by your actions and you live with that reputation," he said.

Washburn University political science professor Bob Beatty said Six "was laying it on the line, with four generations of his family, that he was not going to embarrass them."

Six grew up in Lawrence and received his law degree from KU, graduating second in his class. He clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Deanell Tacha, a Lawrence resident.

In 2005, Six was appointed to the bench by Sebelius. Before being named a judge, Six was a plaintiff's attorney in the firm of Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman.

In his short time on the bench, Six presided over two headline-grabbing cases, rejecting motions for dismissal in each. The first was that of Robert W. Richardson II, a Lawrence man convicted of exposing three women to HIV. Six sentenced him to 32 months in prison. The other is Meredith Kane, the Lawrence High School teacher convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old student. Six sentenced her to 59 months in prison.

Legal foundation

His law school professors remember Six as an intelligent student who was well organized, efficient and respected by classmates.

Longtime KU law professor Bill Westerbeke said Sebelius made the right choice.

"In terms of doing that job and doing it well, he has the intelligence, judgment, even-handedness and fairness that is really called for," Westerbeke said.

Another professor said Six's father has advocated for lawyers to be committed to public service.

"I think that kind of background would certainly lend someone to thinking that they wanted to do public service types of work," said Sandra McKenzie, a KU law professor.

His father's influence may have helped chart Six's move from a plaintiff's attorney to judge and now to attorney general, she said.

But McKenzie has not associated Six much with the political arena.

"Based on the last few attorney generals, you have to have some taste for publicity and being in the public eye. That's not what I would think of when I thought of Stephen," she said.

Sebelius was likely looking for someone to restore public trust and focus on business, observers have said.

"He certainly has those qualities," McKenzie said.

Election plans?

At the news conference, Six didn't look too comfortable.

He declined to say whether he'd stand for election in 2010, although Sebelius said she hoped he would.

"Today is not the day to talk politics. I plan to get to work," he said.

Asked about what he thought about the state's abortion law, Six said, "In Kansas, abortions are legal with appropriate restrictions, and I think the current law serves us well."

After the news conference, Six met with Morrison to talk about the status of cases at the agency. Morrison has filed misdemeanor charges against Dr. George Tiller, alleging Tiller violated the late-term abortion law. Tiller has denied the charges.

Once sworn into office, Six will actually take a pay cut of nearly $22,000 per year to become attorney general: from $118,297 as a judge to $96,489.

Kansas Republican Party executive director Christian Morgan said he didn't know much about Six.

"I'm honestly just glad that the governor finally came around, found some time between Vogue photo shoots and Washington, D.C., cocktail parties to make an appointment," Morgan said.

Kansans for Life, who oppose abortion, said they didn't know anything about Six but reaffirmed their dislike for Sebelius and they noted that between 1998 and 2002, Six contributed $950 to Sebelius.

Administrator

Six's lack of experience as a criminal prosecutor did not deter Sebelius from picking him. Westerbeke said Six's job as attorney general would mostly require an administrative role in directing staff. The office also handles civil cases and provides opinions.

"He will not be political in how he decides questions," Westerbeke said.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, of Topeka, said Six seemed like "the right person at the right time."

A veteran legislator, Hensley, a Democrat, said Kansas has had a history of attorney generals who were "characters." He said that has produced mixed results and maybe it was time to go with someone more even-keeled.

Stephen N. Six

Residence: Lawrence

Age: 42

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: Undergraduate degree in 1988 from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. Law degree from Kansas University School of Law in 1993. He was a note and comment editor on the Kansas Law Review, a member of the Order of the Coif honors society, and a Rice Foundation Scholarship recipient.

Career: Served as a clerk in 1993 and 1994 for U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Deanell Tacha; worked in private practice for 10 years and was a partner with Shamberg, Johnson and Bergman; was appointed in 2005 to be district judge in Douglas County by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Organizations: Served on the Kansas Bar Association board of governors; Kansas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees; chairman of the Mandatory Malpractice Disclosure Committee; and the Bench-Bar Committee for the U.S. District Court, Kansas District.

Family: Married to Betsy Brand Six, a lecturer at KU School of Law. They have four children: Emily, 9; Sam, 8; Henry, 5; and Will, 2. Six is the son of retired Kansas Supreme Court Justice Fred Six, who served from 1988 to 2003.

Discussion

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19 January 2008
at 8:19 a.m.

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absolutelyridiculous (Anonymous) says…

“Asked about what he thought about the state's abortion law, Six said, “In Kansas, abortions are legal with appropriate restrictions, and I think the current law serves us well.”

Integrity? If Six is going to uphold the law, then he's going to have to finish the job and follow through on Tiller's Killer Mill. Nice try to sweep it under the rug. John Vratil helped lead the fight against partial birth abortion. Six donated to his campaign too. So Judge Six…what side are you on?

Oh…LJWorld….$950 or $750? Accurate reporting here please?
http://www.kansasmeadowlark.com/2005/…

Oh…abortion proponents…keep you gloves on….you're going to need them. The fight isn't over…in fact I think it's going to get a whole lot louder.
19 January 2008
at 9:31 a.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

Asked about what he thought about the state's abortion law, Six said, “In Kansas, abortions are legal with appropriate restrictions, and I think the current law serves us well.”

What is it you don't seem to understand about the law? Six said nothing about what he “believes”, only the law which he must uphold.

Typical ignorant remark.
19 January 2008
at 10:33 a.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

Never argue with an idiot.
They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
19 January 2008
at 10:45 a.m.

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Crossfire (Anonymous) says…

Phillz Klinic Bombers, out in force this morning.
Rant on.
19 January 2008
at 10:53 a.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

Extremists running rampant.
Seig Heil, Kline!
19 January 2008
at 11:08 a.m.

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somebodynew (Anonymous) says…

I know this is probably stupid on my part, but why can't some of these “ranters” figure out the AG's job is to enforce the law, not make it. If the law is the way it is, the AG should enforce it, NOT take the law into his own hands and beliefs. The law is made by the legislature, why not rant on them and act like you actually are smart enough to understand how thigs works.

Let the hating begin…..
19 January 2008
at 11:38 a.m.

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Rabbitgoesthump (Anonymous) says…

When did woman lose the right, to choose to make decisions for themself.

I see kids who are abused, neglected, beaten, not fed, there diapers stuffed with drugs so the parents can transport drugs, Kids who are so hungry they dig through trash cans, babies who get left home alone for hours, yet there situation isnt bad enough for srs to step in.
Or the kids get taken away for a day then sent back to the same situation, And I wonder, is it better to abort the child, or bring it into this world, knowing that these parents never really wanted a kid, wont give them up for adoption and now they are raising them in this style.

Its very sad…

let the woman have her choice what she wants…..

19 January 2008
at 11:55 a.m.

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frwent (Anonymous) says…

I was wondering how Steve would be accepted as the governer's appointment as the new AG. We have had the moron Kline, until the majority of sensible citizens sent him back to his pulpit and the like-minded Republican morons of Johnson County. Then Mr. Morrison, who I supported until we discovered that he also had some moral procilvities that did not offer good recommendation for the office of AG. Now we have Steve Six, a most qualified and laudable judge in the job. And now maybe the office will regain the stature needed for the states top law enforcement officer. The knashing of teeth and moaning of the looney anti-common sense nuts has started, the moronic excuses opposing anyone hot in their doctrinaire corner. I for one am happy to see someone who is moral, competant and most assuredly fair in this most important job. The Kansas Attorney General has been under constant assault by the forces in opposition of the law. It has even provided fodder for such dysfunctional radio personalities as Bill O”Reilly to peddle their web site enrollments and sales of ghost written books. Now I truly believe that the hobgoblins of the past will be erased and some reason, compliance with the law, and sensibility will return to this battered and distorted position of law enforcement in the State of Kansas.
19 January 2008
at 12:24 p.m.

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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

starbucks (Anonymous) says:

Enforcer:so you believe in the Bible, no?
____________________________________
No, she only believes in enforcer.

hahahahahahahahhahahahaha
19 January 2008
at 12:26 p.m.

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compmd (Anonymous) says…

I honestly can't believe there has been a Godwin violation on this article. Although I can't say I'm surprised to see who the violator is.
19 January 2008
at 12:45 p.m.

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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…

I suspect the sweet, sincere, honest, ethical computer geeks will ***accurately*** update the web site when Six ***accurately*** takes over the position on February 1st, 2008.

Paul Morrison will remain Kansas Attorney General until January 31st.

The web site, as it stands, is sincere, honest, ethical, and accurate in its information.

I've been ignoring your babbling idiocy for the past several months, and will continue to do so.

But this one was priceless…
19 January 2008
at 1:55 p.m.

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jonas (Anonymous) says…

Godwin! Godwin! Godwin! Godwin!

Yay!!!!!!!! Hooray for ridiculous meaningless hyperbolic cliches!

Now, I'm off to butcher innocent babies!
19 January 2008
at 3:28 p.m.

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TJ_in_Lawrence (Anonymous) says…

Ok.. I'll jump in here and then get trounced by both sides of this argument. First, I am pro-life. Second, the Attorney General's job is to enforce the laws of Kansas. I am hoping that Mr. Six will do just that. I am going to wait and see how he performs his job before I find fault with him.
21 January 2008
at 10:12 a.m.

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kansanjayhawk (Anonymous) says…

We need a attorney general who will enforce the law-regardless of his personal view. If Tiller has been violating our law he needs to be held accountable and punished with the full force of the law.