---
title: "Joan M. Lowdon | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joan-m-lowdon-ks"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Joan M. Lowdon

Kansas 1st Judicial District Court · Chief District Judge

## Profile

- Court: Kansas 1st Judicial District Court
- State: Kansas
- Role: Chief District Judge
- Service status: active

## Summary

Joan M. Lowdon — Kansas 1st Judicial District Court

## Sources

- [Administrative Order 2025-JA-134, Order Appointing Chief Judges for Kansas District Courts](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Orders/2025-JA-134.pdf?ext=.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- In January 2023, the Kansas Supreme Court appointed her as chief judge, succeeding David King, who retired that month
- The Chief Judge of Kansas’ 1st Judicial District, serving Division 5 for Atchison and Leavenworth counties, appointed in 2020 and named chief judge in 2023
- Deputy County Attorney (2017) She handled felony and misdemeanor cases, with a specialization in prosecuting cases involving child victims
- Chief Judge of the 1st Judicial District Court of Kansas, covering Atchison and Leavenworth counties

### Education


### Additional information

- Appointed by Governor Laura J. Kelly on September 23, 2020 to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon.
- Before joining the bench, Lowdon was employed at the Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office:.
- Michael Gibbens.
- As chief judge, she has general supervisory authority over the district’s administrative and clerical functions and oversees case assignments
- Lowdon has been active in the Leavenworth County Bar Association and served on the Board of Directors for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of the 1st Judicial District
- She has emphasized continuity, leadership, and service to the people of Atchison and Leavenworth counties



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-24b6feac6cd1ef1f99728446) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.