Topeka ? The Kansas Supreme Court on Monday announced that Douglas T. Shima has been named as the new clerk of the Kansas appellate courts.

Shima, who lives in Topeka, has served as interim appellate clerk since the middle of January. He replaces Heather Smith, who had held that position since May 2014. He has worked with the judicial branch since 1995.

The clerk of the appellate court serves as the lead administrator for both the Kansas Supreme Court and Kansas Court of Appeals.

In addition to processing cases for the appellate courts, the clerk’s office is also responsible for conducting bar exams, keeping records of admissions to the Kansas bar and attorney registration.

Doug Shima

The clerk also serves as secretary for the Commission on Judicial Qualifications, which assists the Supreme Court involving judicial disciplinary matters, the Kansas Board of Law Examiners, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission and the Client Protection Fund Commission.

Chief Justice Lawton Nuss, who made the announcement, said one of Shima’s main tasks will be to help the judicial branch transition to a new electronic, web-based environment.

“We believe his experience and tenacity will be valuable as we continue to move all of our state courts toward a fully integrated, electronic court environment through our eCourt project,” he said.

Shima is a graduate of Washburn University School of Law. He began working for the appellate courts in 1995, first as a research attorney for the Court of Appeals, and then as chambers counsel for Court of Appeals Judge G. Joseph Pierron Jr.