Yesterday Governor Laura Kelly appointed Elk County Attorney Joe E. Lee to the District Magistrate vacancy replacing Judge Kristin Hutchinson, who was appointed to a District Judge position by the Governor on April 7th.
“Mr. Lee has capably served Elk and Greenwood counties for more than a decade as a county attorney and knows the community well,” Governor Kelly said. “I know he will continue to serve his community in his new role.”
Lee has been a county attorney in the 13th District since 2008, where he has prosecuted a wide variety of cases. He graduated from Kansas University in 1983 and from Washburn University School of Law in 1986.
Magistrate Judges in the 13th Judicial District (Elk, Greenwood and Butler counties) are elected. Lee will fill the vacancy in the 13th District for the remainder of the unexpired term.