--- title: "Lawton R. Nuss | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawton-r-nuss-4483" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Lawton R. Nuss Supreme Court of Kansas · Judge ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Kansas - State: Kansas - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Supreme Court of Kansas, 2002-present - Retired on December 17, 2019, with three years remaining in his term, to focus on veteran support, especially those in the criminal justice system - Retired Kansas Supreme Court justice who held the role of Chief Justice from 2010 to 2019 and retired on December 17, 2019 - He held the role of Justice until 2010, then became Chief Justice when Robert E. Davis retired - Appointed by Governor Bill Graves in August 2002, Nuss became the first justice in over 20 years to move directly from private practice to the Kansas Supreme Court - As Chief Justice, he led the court for nine years ### Education - University of Kansas Law School in. [...] Military service Nuss attended the University of Kansas on a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship — J.D. (1982) - a J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1982. - He attended the University of Kansas on a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship, earning a B.A. in English and history in 1975 ### Additional information - He was also named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Kansas School of Law in 2015 - After law school, Nuss joined Clark Mize & Linville, Chartered in Salina in 1982. - Nuss was born in Salina, Kansas, and graduated from Salina High School in 1970. - Born December 30, 1952. - overseeing nearly 300 judges and 1,500 employees handling about 400,000 cases annually - He was recognized by the Kansas Bar Association for outstanding service and commended by both Republican and Democratic leaders for his leadership and defense of judicial independence. - Over 20 years in private practice, he handled a wide range of civil and criminal cases for corporations, individuals, and the government, earning an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability and ethics. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media electronic device coverage Scope: statewide Kansas statewide Rule 1001 requires media members to obtain written court permission before using an electronic device to photograph, record, transmit, or provide live coverage of a court proceeding. Evidence excerpt: A media member must get written permission from the court before using an electronic device to photograph, record, transmit, or provide live coverage of a court proceeding. [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### advance media request timing Scope: statewide Kansas statewide Rule 1001 directs media members to request permission at least one week before the proceeding, unless the court waives the timing requirement for good cause. Evidence excerpt: At least one week before a court proceeding, a media member must ask the court or media coordinator for permission to use an electronic device during the proceeding. [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### judge controlled device location Scope: statewide Kansas statewide Rule 1001 leaves the authorized device location to the judge, presiding judge, or appellate clerk depending on the court, and local orders control when they conflict with Rule 1001. Evidence excerpt: A judge will designate where a media member may use an electronic device during a district court proceeding. [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4483/lawton-r-nuss/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4483/lawton-r-nuss/) - [Supreme Court of Kansas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4483/lawton-r-nuss/) - [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4483/lawton-r-nuss/) - [Lawton Nuss - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lawton_Nuss) - [Chief Justice Lawton Nuss to Retire After 17 Years on the Kansas Supreme Court | KU Law Blog](https://bloglaw.ku.edu/chief-justice-lawton-nuss-retire-after-17-years-kansas-supreme-court) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawton-r-nuss-4483", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawton-r-nuss-4483", "name": "Lawton R. 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