Governor Laura Kelly Announces Appointment to New District Court Position in the
9th Judicial District

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today appointed Michael X. Llamas of Newton, Kansas, to the 9th Judicial District judgeship position. This position was created through 2022 House Substitute for Substitute for Senate Bill 267, the bipartisan budget plan; and Kansas Supreme Court Administrative Order 2022-JA-020. 

“Michael Llamas has spent his legal career in the 9th District, serving in a variety of roles,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “His breadth of experience within the District and commitment to process make him more than prepared and ready to serve as a District Judge.” 

Llamas is a Municipal Court Judge in the Cities of Walton, Burrton, and Florence, Kansas. He also serves the City of Hesston as its City Prosecutor, and is the owner of Llamas Law, LLC. Llamas is active in the legal community as a member of the Harvey County Bar Association, the Marion County Bar Association, the Harvey/McPherson Counties Community Corrections Advisory Board, and the Harvey County Bench Bar Committee. He earned his juris doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law. 

“I am honored to be selected as a judge for the 9th Judicial District,” Llamas said. “This community is important to me, and I look forward to serving to the best of my ability and to providing fairness and respect to all in the courtroom.” 

District court judges in the 9th Judicial District are appointed by the governor and selected from nominees chosen by a district nominating commission. Judges in nominating commission districts are subject to retention elections every four years.  

The other nominees selected by the district nominating commission were Diane Sorenson and Matthew Treaster.  

###