Topeka ? The chief judge of the Kansas Court of Appeals plans to retire in January when his current term ends.

Judge Gary Rulon announced has served on the 13-member court since 1988 and became chief judge in 2001.

Rulon announced his intention to retire in a letter Wednesday to Gov. Mark Parkinson and Kansas Chief Justice Lawton Nuss.

Before joining the appellate court, Rulon served as a district court judge in Lyon and Chase counties. He’s known for his advocacy of a transparent court system, including the use of cameras in the courtroom.

A nominating commission will forward names of potential replacements to the governor. A timeframe for accepting applications and conducting interviews hasn’t been set.

It is the second vacancy in the state appellate courts following the retirement and death of Chief Justice Robert Davis earlier this month.