Laura H. Lewis
Chief Judge
Date of Taking Office: January 2, 2019
Appointed by: Governor Jeff Colyer
Family: Tristin Lewis Dierking (son)
Education:
A.A. in Social Science, Dodge City Community College, 1998
B.A. in English, Writing Emphasis, Washburn University, 2000
J.D. Washburn University School of Law, 2003
Career History:
Legal Intern for Washburn Law Clinic, 2002-2003
Associate with Law Office of Leslie A. Hess, Dodge City, Kansas 2003-2005
Solo Practitioner in Law Office of Laura H. Lewis, LLC, Dodge City, Kansas 2005-2012 and Meade, Kansas 2017-2018 (part time private practice)
Meade County Attorney and County Counselor, Elected 2008, Served 2009-2018
Associate with Martindell Swearer Shaffer Ridenour, LLP, Cimarron, Kansas 2012-2017
Municipal Judge for City of Dodge City, Kansas 2017-2018
Civic and Professional Activities:
Member: Kansas Bar Association
Member: Juvenile Justice Administration Board for the 16th Judicial District
Member: Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution to the Kansas Supreme Court
Member: Language Access Committee, Appointed by Kansas Supreme Court
Past Member: Self Represented Study Committee, Appointed by Kansas Supreme Court
Past Member: Kansas County and District Attorneys Association
Past Member: Kansas County and District Attorneys Association Best Practices Committee
Past Member: Crisis Center of Dodge City, Kansas Board
Past Member: Meadowlark Child Advocacy Team
Past Member: American Bar Association
Sidney R. Thomas
District Judge
Place of Birth: Dodge City, Kansas
Date of Taking Office: January 12, 2015
City of Residence: Dodge City, Kansas
Family: Married to Diane; six children (Lizeth, Luke, Jacob, Amelia, Josiah and Seth)
Education:
B.S. Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, 1986
B.S. Political Science, Kansas State University, 1986
J.D. University of Kansas School of Law 1989
Career History:
Summer Intern for Gray County Attorney, Curtis E. Campbell, 1988
Federal Court Clerk, Judge Patrick F. Kelly, 1989-1991
Associate with Kahrs, Nelson, Fanning, Hite, and Kellogg, 1991-1992
Management and Transition Planning, Family Farm, 1992-2005
Assistant Finney County Attorney, 2005-2008
Staff Attorney, Saint Francis Community Services, 2008-2014
District Judge, 2015-Present
Andrew Stein
District Judge
Andrew Stein has served as district judge since July 1, 2020, after his appointment to the position by Governor Laura Kelly. Before taking the bench, Judge Stein was an owner of Doll Law Firm, LLC, in Dodge City. During that time, Judge Stein practiced in the areas of criminal law, estate planning, probate, civil litigation, bankruptcy and real estate. Judge Stein served as the city attorney for several municipalities in the area and as Dodge City Municipal Court judge.
Judge Stein was born and raised in Dodge City. He attended Sacred Heart and Dodge City High School before earning his bachelor's degree in German and linguistics at the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, Judge Stein attended the University of Kansas School of Law. While a law student, he served on the staff and board of the Kansas Law Review and competed in the Duberstein National Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition in New York City.
In his free time, Judge Stein enjoys spending time with his family and friends, seeing live music, playing tennis and reading.
Not pictured:
Philip Moore
Clark County
District Magistrate Judge
Rustin Martin
Comanche County
District Magistrate Judge
Anthony Bayer
Gray County
District Magistrate Judge
Richard McVey
Kiowa County
District Magistrate Judge
Keith Whitney
Meade County
District Magistrate Judge