photo by: Kahner Sampson

Douglas County's new pro tem judge, Gary West, is sworn in on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. His wife, Juanita West, is beside him, and Chief Judge Mark Simpson is at right.

An attorney from Douglas County’s Public Defender Office was sworn in as a pro tem judge on Monday in Douglas County District Court.

Gary West will fill the pro tem vacancy that was created when Blake Glover was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly to be a district judge. Glover was elevated to that position when longtime Judge Sally Pokorny retired earlier this year.

photo by: Kahner Sampson

Douglas County’s new pro tem judge, Gary West, is pictured at his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. His wife, Juanita West, helps adjust his judicial robe.

Pro tem judges are not appointed by the governor but by the chief judge of the district court, currently Mark Simpson.

West, a resident of Douglas County, most recently worked as the deputy public defender in Douglas County. Prior to that he worked as a prosecutor, as an attorney in private practice, as senior counsel for Legal Projects for the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, and as deputy disciplinary administrator.

His duties as a pro tem judge will include protection from abuse and stalking cases, small claims, misdemeanors, traffic court and criminal first appearances.

photo by: Kahner Sampson

Douglas County’s new pro tem judge, Gary West, is pictured at his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. Chief Judge Mark Simpson is at right.

photo by: Kahner Sampson

Douglas County’s new pro tem judge, Gary West, is pictured at his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. Chief Judge Mark Simpson is at right.

photo by: Kahner Sampson

Douglas County judges attend the swearing-in ceremony for the new pro tem judge, Gary West, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

photo by: Kahner Sampson

Douglas County judges congratulate the new pro tem judge, Gary West, on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

photo by: Kahner Sampson

Douglas County judges are pictured on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, at the swearing-in ceremony for Gary West, the new pro tem judge, center. From left: Chief Judge Mark Simpson, Judge Blake Glover, Judge Carl Folsom III, Judge Catherine Theisen, West, Judge Stacey Donovan, Judge Amy Hanley, Judge Paul Klepper and Judge James McCabria.