Attorney Tonda Hill, who challenged DA Valdez in Democratic primary, appointed by Supreme Court to the  state’s Commission on Judicial Conduct 

photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Candidate Tonda Hill speaks at a candidate forum for Douglas County District Attorney hosted by Women for Kansas on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.

A Lawrence attorney who challenged Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez in the recent Democratic Primary Election has been appointed by the Kansas Supreme Court to the  state’s Commission on Judicial Conduct. 

Tonda Hill, who works in Wyandotte County as a prosecutor, came in second in the three-way primary after attorney Dakota Loomis, who unseated Valdez.

Hill is one of four new appointees to the 14-member Commission on Judicial Conduct, which reviews complaints to determine whether a judge has violated the code of judicial conduct. 

The commission includes six active or retired judges, four lawyers and four nonlawyers.

Newly appointed members like Hill will serve through June 30, 2028.

Other new appointees include District Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan, 10th Judicial District; District Judge Paula D. Hofaker, 17th Judicial District; and Dr. Joyce A. Pigge, nonlawyer member, Lindsborg.

Sister Rosemary Kolich was also reappointed. She is a nonlawyer member from the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The complete membership for the commission can be found online.