- Kay McFarland
Kay McFarland is the
Chief Justice of theKansas Supreme Court . During her 35 years as a judge she broke many gender barriers in Kansas. She was the first female elected to judgeship inShawnee County, Kansas , first appointed to the state Supreme Court, and first to hold the title of chief justice.Personal life
Kay McFarland was born on
July 20 ,1935 , inTopeka ,Kansas to Dr. Kenneth and Margaret McFarland. [cite web | title = An Act of Kindness | url =http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_20021017/ai_n11789154 | format = English | accessdate =2007-03-06] In 1957 she graduatedmagna cum laude with aBachelor of Arts in English and history-political science atWashburn University . She earned herDoctor of Jurisprudence in 1964 at Washburn University School of Law. [cite web | title = Supreme Court Justices at a Glance | url =http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2004/aug/29/supreme_court_justices/?kansas_legislature | format = English | accessdate =2007-03-06]Professional life
McFarland was admitted to the Kansas Bar and entered into private practice in 1964 in Topeka. In 1971, she was elected judge of the probate and juvenile courts of Shawnee County becoming the first woman elected to judgeship in that county.
In January 1973 she won the election to become judge of the newly created Fifth Division of the District Court in Topeka. On
September 19 ,1977 she was appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court by Governor Robert F. Bennett becoming the state's first female Supreme Court justice. [cite web | title = FindLaw Biography | url =http://pview.findlaw.com/view/1194546_1?noconfirm=0 | format = English | accessdate =2007-03-06] OnSeptember 1 ,1995 she became the Kansas's first female Chief Justice replacing the retiring Hon.Richard W. Holmes . [cite web | title = Kansas Supreme Court Biography | url =http://www.kscourts.org/supct/km_scj.htm | format = English | accessdate =2007-03-06] In 2008 she will leave the Kansas Supreme Court due to state laws mandating retirement after the age of 70.References
External links
* [http://washburnlaw.edu/news/2006/2006-06wlsaawards.php Chief Justice Kay McFarland Named Distinguished Alumni]
* [http://www.kscourts.org/kansas-courts/supreme-court/justice-bios/mcfarland.asp Official Biography]
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