By James Bell
Hays Post

The Kansas Supreme Court announced Thursday the appointment of Hays native Grant Bannister to chief judge of the 21st Judicial District.

The appointment will be June 16 through Dec. 31.

“We are glad that Judge Bannister has agreed to serve as chief judge, providing continuity in capable leadership in the 21st Judicial District,” said Lawton Nuss, chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court in a press release.

Bannister has served as a district judge for the 21st Judicial District since September 2016 and will replace Judge Meryl Wilson following his retirement.

“It has been a pleasure to work with retiring Chief Judge Meryl Wilson who has selflessly and admirably served the judiciary for over 22 years,” he said in the news release.

“I am grateful to be surrounded by hard-working staff, clerks, and judges who are dedicated to having fair, efficient, and accessible district courts in Riley and Clay counties.”

Bannister graduated from Fort Hays State University with a B.A. in economics in 1993. While attending FHSU he served as President of the Student Government Association, was a Truman Scholar National Finalist and a Rhodes Scholar Nominee.

He was the FHSU Young Alumni Award winner in 2007.

“Bannister graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1997,” the release said. “He was in private practice in Manhattan for 19 years and also served as an adjunct professor teaching ethics in the College of Business at Kansas State University. He is married and has three children.”