Charles (Chuck) Apt III, magistrate judge for the 31st Judicial District in Allen County, will retire June 10.
Apt worked as an Iola attorney for 43 years before being appointed to the judgeship in 2023.
His ascension meant the closure of Apt Law Offices LLC, one of the longest-lasting law firms in state history.
Apt’s great-great-grandfather opened the office in Pratt in 1885, before moving to Iola in 1903, where Apt’s grandfather, father and uncle eventually joined the practice.
A nominating commission was slated to meet Thursday to discuss the nomination process to fill Apt’s seat. Commission members are Justice Larkin Walsh as the nonvoting chair; David Clark, Chanute; Nancy Burns and John Chenoweth, Fredonia; Douglas Depew, Neodesha; Craig Mentzer, Neosho Falls; Shelia Lampe, Piqua; and Donald Greg Taylor, Stark.
To be considered, nominees must be either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or be able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months and be an Allen County resident at the time of nomination, election or appointment, when taking the oath of office, and while holding office.
The nominating commission will seek nominations and then meet for public interviews. The commission selects who is appointed to fill the vacancy.
After serving one year in office, the new judge will stand for a retention vote in the next general election in order to hold the seat.
If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.
The 31st judicial district is composed of Allen, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson counties.
