Gov. Laura Kelly has appointed Judge Evelyn Z. Wilson to the Kansas Supreme Court. Wilson will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Lee Johnson.

“Judge Wilson stood out from the field of candidates for her experience, her character and her commitment to Kansas,” Governor Kelly said.

“As governor, there are few decisions I will make that are as important as appointing a Supreme Court justice,” Kelly said. “Supreme Court justices must be experienced in many areas of the law, they must be talented legal thinkers and they must be ready for the administrative duties justices perform as they oversee the rest of the judicial branch.

Wilson currently is Chief Judge for the 3rd Judicial District, Shawnee County, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the court in addition to carrying a full case load.

Wilson graduated as valedictorian of Smith Center High School and from Bethany College in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in business.