Kansas chief justice to step down; Justice Eric Rosen to assume role

The chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court announced she will step down from the office of chief justice, saying the decision "is one of the hardest decisions of my life." She said the resignation from the chief justice role will take effect at the close of business on 01/02/2026, and that Justice Eric Rosen will assume the role.

"I share today one of the hardest decisions of my life, stepping down as chief justice," the chief justice said, expressing gratitude to judges, court staff and court service officers across Kansas for their work providing access to justice.

The justice said recent medical issues led to hospitalization and afforded her "unexpected time to slow down and reflect." She said she is on a path to recovery but not yet able to meet the demands of leading the Kansas court system or to participate fully in the many cases the Supreme Court resolves each year.

"I am not yet able to meet the demands of leading the Kansas court system and participating fully in the hundreds of cases the Supreme Court resolves each year," she said, then explained her choice to step aside so the court can be led by someone able to give more than "100%" to the position.

Under the plan she described, she will resign as chief justice under the Kansas Constitution effective Jan. 2, 2026, and will remain on the court for several additional weeks to wind up work. She said she will not accept new cases during that transitional period and that she expects to announce a specific retirement date, likely later in January or in early February.

The chief justice recounted her judicial career, noting earlier service as a district court judge in Shawnee County, being the only woman on that bench at the time, and later becoming the first woman in Kansas to serve as a chief judge. She thanked governors Joan Finney and Bill Graves for earlier appointments and noted that she had been retained by voters through seven elections.

She also praised recent collaborative efforts to expand access to justice, increase transparency and modernize the courts, and she thanked other branches of government for partnering on reforms addressing issues such as mental illness and the needs of children in care.

"I will always be proud of what we accomplished together," she said, and closed by thanking the people of Kansas for the honor of serving as chief justice.

No formal court vote or external approval was identified in the statement; the justice framed the action as a personal resignation from the office of chief justice with a short transition period and a forthcoming announcement of a final retirement date.