Topeka ? Seventeen lawyers and judges have applied for a seat on the Kansas Court of Appeals, including two finalists for a previous opening.

A seat on the court will become vacant when Chief Justice Gary Rulon retires in January.

Presiding Municipal Judge Karen Arnold-Burger, of Overland Park, and Shawnee County District Judge David Bruns, of Topeka, were finalists for a previous opening. They were bypassed by Gov. Mark Parkinson in July in favor of Overland Park attorney G. Gordon Atcheson.

Kansas Labor Secretary Jim Garner also is trying for the appellate court a second time.

A statewide commission plans to interview the applicants Nov. 11 and 12. The commission will submit three finalists to Parkinson, who’ll make the appointment before leaving office in January.