photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

The Kansas Judicial Center, 301 SW 10th Ave. in Topeka, is pictured on Dec. 18, 2023.

The Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission will soon interview seven applicants, including three from Lawrence, to fill the vacancy on the high court created by Justice Marla Luckert’s recent retirement.

The commission will convene at 9 a.m. May 21, and the 30-minute interviews will begin at 9:30 a.m. The interviews are open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the Kansas judicial branch YouTube channel. No comments will be taken from spectators, but members of the public can submit written comments to the commission until one week prior to the interviews. Comments can be submitted online at scnc@kscourts.gov or by mail to Supreme Court Nominating Commission, ATTN: Terrence J. Campbell, 301 SW 10th Ave., 1st Floor, Topeka KS 66612.

The Lawrence candidates will have interviews as follows: Douglas County District Court Judge Carl Folsom III at 10 a.m.; Douglas County District Court Judge Amy Hanley at 11:15 a.m.; and Lawrence attorney Meryl Carver-Allmond at 1:30 p.m.

These three also applied to fill the vacancy created when the late Justice Evelyn Wilson stepped down last year. Hanley was one of three finalists for Wilson’s seat, which ultimately went to Leawood attorney Larkin Evans Walsh, who was appointed to the seven-member bench by Gov. Laura Kelly.

photo by: Contributed

Judge Amy J. Hanley

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Judge Carl Folsom III is pictured at his judicial swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lawrence.

photo by: Journal-World File

Lawrence attorney Meryl Carver-Allmond is pictured in April 2026 at a Lawrence City Commission meeting.

The other four people applying on May 21 are attorney Molly McMurray Gordon, of Wichita; District Judge Krishnan Christopher Jayaram, of Lenexa; attorney Kristen Diane Wheeler, of Wichita; and District Judge Robert James Wonnell, of Olathe.

Biographical summaries for all seven candidates can be viewed online on the Supreme Court’s website.

After interviewing applicants, the nominating commission will decide which three to recommend to the governor, who will appoint one to fill the vacancy.

To be considered, a nominee must be at least 30 years old and be a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least 10 years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school.

When commission members review nominees, they look at a person’s legal and judicial experience, educational background, character and ethics, temperament, service to the community, impartiality, and the respect of their colleagues.