Office of the Governor
TOPEKA–Kansas Governor Sam Brownback recently announced the appointment of Grant D. Bannister of Manhattan as a District Judge in the 21st District. He will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge David L. Stutzman.
Bannister is a native of Hays and a graduate of Fort Hays State University. He received the FHSU Young Alumni award in 2007.
Born in Hays in 1970, Bannister grew up on their family farm near Alexander in Rush County.
At FHSU, he was student body president, Truman Scholar National Finalist, Rhodes Scholar Nominee and earned a B.A. in economics in 1993.
Bannister received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1997 and was admitted to practice in Kansas and the United States District Court of Kansas in the same year. In 2003 he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Bannister engages in the general practice with particular emphasis on litigation and business transactions.
He has served as the President of the Riley County Bar Association, and is a member of the First United Methodist Church. He has volunteered for numerous non-profit organizations including the Board of Trustees for Hospice and Homecare, President of the Board of Manhattan Area Habitat for Humanity, Chair of the Konza District of Boy Scouts of America, and Board member of the Coronado Council of Boys Scouts of America. Bannister is an adjunct faculty member at Kansas State University and was also elected to serve on the University of Kansas School of Law, Board of Governors.
Outside of work Bannister competes in half and full marathons throughout the country.
“I am pleased to appoint Grant Bannister to the 21st District Court,” said Governor Brownback. “His experience makes him an excellent choice to serve the residents of Clay and Riley Counties.”
Bannister currently is in private practice as a partner with Knopp & Bannister PA in Manhattan.
The state’s 105 counties are organized into 31 Judicial Districts. The district courts serve as the trial courts for the state, overseeing all civil and criminal cases. The 21st District Court is comprised of Clay and Riley counties.