Amy Hanley, Assistant Kansas Attorney General, presents her opening statement to the jury in the State v. Brett T. Seacat trial on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in Kingman, Kan. (AP Photo/The Hutchinson News, Travis Morisse, Pool)

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announced on Wednesday that Amy Hanley, of Lawrence, has been appointed the newest judge of Douglas County District Court.

Hanley will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Robert Fairchild, who stepped down in September.

Fairchild was also chief judge of Douglas County District Court. Judge Peggy Kittel took over that position in September.

Currently, Hanley is an assistant attorney general in the Criminal Litigation Division, Brownback’s office said in a news release Wednesday. There, she serves as lead prosecutor for homicide and major crimes.

Hanley has served as a prosecutor for the duration of her career, the release said. She also worked for a time in the Saline County Attorney’s Office.

Hanley earned her undergraduate degree from Kansas State University and her law degree from Drake Law School, the release said.