Many Kansans may not know the faces that sit upon the bench of the Kansas Supreme Court. HPPR's Cindee Talley had the pleasure of speaking with Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss.
Nuss is a fourth generation Kansan from Salina. As a senior in high school he never dreamed of landing a seat in Supreme Court. After graduation, Nuss served four years in the United States’ Marine Corp. After discharge he continued his education in law school at the University of Kansas and graduated in May 1982.
Nuss could have gone anywhere in the world after his four years serving in the Marine Corp and overseas however he stuck to his deep Kansan roots and returned to further serve his people.
Nuss spent fifteen years in the practice of law with the Salina firm of Clark Mize & Linville where he was awarded an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbel. This is the highest rating for legal ability and professional ethics based upon surveys of fellow lawyers and judges.
It was during this time that Nuss was first inspired to become a judge. Nuss said the idea of "being the impartial decider appealed to [him]".
In 2002, Nuss applied and was soon appointed to Supreme Court by Governor Bill Graves making him the first Court member in over twenty years to move directly from private practice directly to the Supreme Court.
Nuss says this promotion was beneficial to the Court for it brought diversity. He had recent experience on the other side of the bench and possessed a fresh perspective.
Nuss became Chief Justice in 2010. He loves how it brings a mix of intellectual work as well as leadership. Nuss's roles as Chief Justice includes writing opinions and research on cases as well as being the leader of the Kansas Judicial Branch which consists of 250 judges and 1500 employees under a $134 million budget.
It is his passion to serve his fellow Kansans and his goal to not be concerned with politics and pleasing others, but rather saying "here is the law, here is how we interpret it, and we are going to write an opinion about it that is clearly written and closely reasoned".
The Legacy
Nuss wants to leave behind for future generations a confidence in state government; that the Judicial branch stands for the rule of law and provides equal justice despite ethnic or racial origin, wealth or lack thereof. When Kansans go into courtrooms they are going to be treated fairly and the law will be applied fairly to all.
Nuss enjoys the challenges of his position despite the sacrifices it brings. Talley asked, “Is it lonely to be you?” Nuss said a friend described the position on Supreme Court to be a cloistered life, almost like a monk. He must be careful about his social contacts and what he is doing in life so as to not put off the appearance of being improper.
Nuss no longer associates with old attorney friends. If he were seen in public with an attorney friend by another lawyer or party to an opposing lawsuit, he may be accused of being too “cozy” or siding with the other party.
The personal sacrifices of Chief Justice are worth it. He can’t imagine himself doing anything else.
For the first time
in its 154-year history, Kansas Supreme Court will be traveling to Fort Hays State University and holding an evening session. The mission of this road trip, according to a press release from the Office of Judicial Administration, is to engage the community and “familiarize Kansans with the high court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas Judiciary.”
The Supreme Court’s visit to Fort Hays will be their eighth departure from Topeka. Court will be in session 6:30 to about 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center located in Sheridan Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus at 600 Park Street in Hays.
Nuss believes that this event will be a success if “people get a better understanding of who we are, what we do, and how we do it.”
