Topeka ? Gov. Mark Parkinson has appointed a Kansas City-area attorney to the state Court of Appeals, choosing him over two lower-court judges.

Parkinson announced Wednesday that G. Gordon Atcheson, of Overland Park, would replace the late Judge Jerry Elliott on the 13-member appellate court. Elliott died in April.

A state commission also had nominated Shawnee County District Judge David Bruns, of Topeka, and presiding Municipal Judge Karen Arnold-Burger, of Overland Park.

Parkinson noted in a statement that Atcheson has spent nearly 30 years practicing law and has argued cases before state and federal appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.