--- title: "Lee A. Johnson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lee-a-johnson-4473" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Lee A. Johnson 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, 2007-present - Retired justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, appointed in 2007 and retired in 2019, known for his consistent opposition to the death penalty ### Education - J.D. summa cum laude from Washburn University School of Law in 1980 - B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1969 ### Additional information - He also held the role of Mayor of Caldwell (1975–76), Caldwell City Attorney (1987–97), and held leadership roles in the Sumner County Bar Association and the Sumner Mental Health Board - Johnson was born in Caldwell, Kansas, and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1965. - Born June 28, 1947. - Date of birth: 1947-06-28 - Before law school, Johnson served two years on active duty with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, attaining the rank of sergeant (E‐5). - Known for voting against the death penalty in every case before the court, citing it as cruel and unusual. - He also participated in notable rulings, including dissents in school finance cases and death penalty appeals - He was a member of Phi Delta Phi and held the role of Washburn’s placement director during law school - After graduation, he worked in his family’s insurance business, then practiced law in private for 21 years. - Birth place: Caldwell ## 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/4473/lee-a-johnson/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4473/lee-a-johnson/) - [Supreme Court of Kansas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4473/lee-a-johnson/) - [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/4473/lee-a-johnson/) - [Lee A. Johnson - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_A._Johnson#:~:text=Johnson%20was%20born%20June%2028,member%20of%20Phi%20Delta%20Phi.) - [Interview of Lee Johnson, May 22, 2023](https://ksoralhistory.org/interview/interview-of-lee-johnson-by-richard-ross-and-jim-concannon-may-22-2023) - [Wikidata: Lee A. Johnson](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6512917) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lee-a-johnson-4473", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lee-a-johnson-4473", "name": "Lee A. Johnson | KnowJudges", "description": "Lee A. Johnson, Supreme Court of Kansas. 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