photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Deputy Public Defender Gary West

A deputy public defender has been selected as the new pro tem judge for the Douglas County District Court.

Gary West will fill the position previously held by Blake Glover, who was recently appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly to be a district judge.

West will begin his appointment on Oct. 5.

Pro tem judges are appointed by the chief judge of the district court, currently Mark Simpson.

A news release from the court described West as bringing “more than 30 years of legal experience including work as a prosecutor, an attorney in private practice, Senior Counsel for Legal Projects for the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, and Deputy Disciplinary Administrator.”

West, a resident of Douglas County, is currently the deputy public defender in the Douglas County Public Defenders Office.

Simpson said, “I am pleased to welcome Gary West to the Douglas County District Court. He is an experienced, highly respected member of the legal community who will be an outstanding judge.”