Lori Bolton Fleming Sworn In as Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Wednesday

New Judge Sworn In to Kansas Court of Appeals

On Wednesday, July 30, Judge Lori Bolton Fleming will be officially sworn in as a member of the Kansas Court of Appeals. The ceremony will take place in the Supreme Court courtroom at the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka at 2 p.m. It will be attended by an invited audience and presided over by Chief Judge Sarah Warner of the Kansas Court of Appeals.

Fleming will be introduced by several notable figures, including Chief Judge Kurtis Loy from the 11th Judicial District, Chief Judge Dan Creitz from the 31st Judicial District, and her husband, Kyle Fleming, who is an attorney. This event marks a significant milestone in her career and highlights the importance of having fair and impartial judges on the appellate bench.

The addition of Judge Fleming brings the court’s composition to nine women and five men. Previously, the court had eight women and six men before Judge Henry Green Jr. retired in March. This change reflects the ongoing efforts to ensure diversity and representation within the judicial system.

The public can watch the ceremony live via a webcast on the Kansas Court of Appeals YouTube channel. This allows those who cannot attend in person to witness this important occasion.

After serving one year on the court, new judges must stand for a retention vote during the next general election to remain in their positions. If retained, they serve a four-year term. This process ensures that judges are held accountable and that the public has a voice in the judicial selection process.

A Career Rooted in Education and Law

Judge Fleming's journey into the legal field began with a career in education. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree and teaching certifications in music and English from Pittsburg State University. She taught elementary school music and reading before transitioning to high school English and coaching debate and forensics.

Teaching played a crucial role in shaping her understanding of the power of communication, especially in educating the public about the judicial system. “As an educator, I understand the importance of clear communication, and I keep that in mind in my writing,” she said. “I believe that our government belongs to the people, and as judges, it is important that we communicate what we do and why we do it directly to the people we serve.”

Fleming pursued a law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 2001, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Washburn Law Journal. She started her legal career as an assistant Crawford County attorney before entering private practice. Later, she returned to academia, teaching courses at Pittsburg State University and serving as director of its legal clinic.

A Diverse Legal Background

Throughout her legal career, Fleming has gained experience in various areas, including criminal, civil, domestic, juvenile, probate, and adoption law. “As an attorney, I have a well-rounded background, including criminal, civil, domestic, juvenile, probate, adoption, and others,” she said. “I have significant experience in the courtroom, as well as in research and writing, that I believe will benefit the court.”

In 2012, she was appointed as a district judge in the 11th Judicial District by then-Governor Sam Brownback. She later became chief judge of the same district in 2021. Her experience in the district court has prepared her for the challenges of the Court of Appeals, both in hearing cases and managing court operations.

“The cases considered by the Court of Appeals originate in the district court,” she said. “As a judge, I have handled all types of cases, and as a chief judge, I was often involved in working on issues to improve our legal system, such as access to justice, rural justice issues, and cybersecurity and technology improvements.”

Serving the People of Kansas

Fleming was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Laura Kelly to fill the vacancy left by Judge Henry Green Jr., who retired in March. Her appointment was confirmed by the Kansas Senate in March. She looks forward to continuing her service to Kansans through the prompt review of the large volume of cases the court hears each session.

“It is easy to forget that behind each case are real people waiting for a decision so they can move forward with their lives,” she said. “We owe it to Kansans to make well-researched, timely decisions.”