Governor Laura Kelly today appointed Jacquelyn E. Rokusek to the district court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Sara Welch.
“During the selection process, Jacquelyn’s knowledge and experience made her stand out as an exceptional candidate for this 10th District vacancy,” Governor Kelly said. “Not only has she been a prosecutor and run her own successful criminal defense practice, but she’s also handled cases in federal and state courts. I’m confident she will serve Johnson County with dignity and respect, and I look forward to seeing her skill at work on the bench.”
Jackie is the managing partner of Rokusek Stein Law and has been in private practice—focused primarily on criminal defense litigation—since 2004. Before starting her own firm, she spent two years as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Kansas and six years as an Assistant District Attorney in Johnson County. She has also acted as a pro tempore judge in Shawnee municipal court and in Johnson County District Court. She graduated from Washburn University School of Law in 1993 and while there was the captain of the national moot court team. She earned her undergraduate degree from Emporia State University in 1988.
“I’ve spent my life pursuing justice in the courtroom, both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney,” Rokusek said. “Though my role in the courtroom will change, that pursuit will not change. Justice is best served through a fair process that respects the humanity of each person in the courtroom, and that’s how I will approach each case and each hearing.”
Judges in Johnson County are appointed by the governor and selected from among nominees chosen by a district nominating commission. Judges in nominating commission districts are subject to retention elections every four years.
The two other nominees selected by the district nominating commission were K. Christopher Jayaram (a partner at Horn Alyward & Bandy LLC) and Vanessa Riebli (an Assistant District Attorney and Section Chief in Johnson County).