Governor Parkinson Names Nancy Moritz Caplinger to Kansas Supreme Court

Press Release

Governor Mark Parkinson has appointed Nancy Moritz Caplinger of Topeka as a justice on the Kansas Supreme Court. Caplinger joins the bench following the retirement of the late-Chief Justice Robert Davis.

"When deciding who would next serve on the Kansas Supreme Court, I had two primary pieces of criteria -- the individual's intellect and their ability to make an objective decision. Nancy Moritz Caplinger exhibits these qualities along with the utmost appreciation for the law and justice," said Parkinson. "Moreover, Nancy represents the inspiring possibilities of the American dream. As someone from a small town who put herself through college and law school, she has been able to rise to extraordinary heights and build a respected reputation in the legal circle. She is the type of down-to-earth Kansan we need on the Supreme Court, and I know she will do remarkable work."
CaplingerSince 2004, Caplinger has been a judge of the Kansas Court of Appeals, deciding approximately 1,800 appeals, of which she authored 600 opinions. Prior to the Court of Appeals, she served as an assistant United States attorney in Kansas City, Kansas and Topeka at the Office of the U.S. Attorney. First as a civil litigator, Caplinger represented the U.S. on all types of defensive litigation as well as federal agencies in many nonlitigation matters. Then in her role as the appellate coordinator for the District of Kansas, Caplinger represented the U.S. in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver in both civil and criminal matters, writing more than 170 appeal briefs and regularly arguing before the Circuit.

"I am humbled and honored to receive this appointment from Governor Parkinson and join the six other distinguished justices on the Kansas Supreme Court," said Caplinger. "I have loved serving on the Kansas Court of Appeals, and I look forward to bringing my experience as an attorney and as a judge to Kansas' highest court."

Caplinger was also a former associate attorney for Spencer, Fane, Britt & Browne; a law clerk to the Honorable Patrick Kelly on the U.S. District Court in Wichita; and a research attorney to the Honorable Harold S. Herd on the Kansas Supreme Court. She is a member of the Kansas Judicial Council, the American Bar Association, the Kansas Bar Association and the Topeka Bar Association. Caplinger also previously served as Chair of the Board of Editors of the Kansas Bar Journal and as a vice-chair of the Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission, among many other legal organizations and committees.

Caplinger is also heavily involved with the community, mentoring students through the Washburn Law School Alumni Association Mentor Program each year and participating in the externship program through Washburn Law School by hiring several externs for her chambers. For many years she delivered meals to elderly residents in Topeka through the Meals on Wheels program.

Caplinger grew up in Tipton, a small town in north-central Kansas with a current population of less than 250. During her high school years, she moved to Salina where she was valedictorian of her graduating class at Sacred Heart High School. Caplinger then attended Washburn University and earned her bachelor's in business administration in 1982. Following her undergraduate studies, she attended Washburn University's School of Law where she was the notes editor on the Washburn Law Journal and received numerous awards for her scholarly work. Caplinger earned her juris doctorate from the university in 1985.

Caplinger has two daughters, Kathleen Landis, a freshman a Colgate University and Sarah Landis, a senior at Washburn Rural High School.

The Kansas Supreme Court is the highest court in Kansas, consisting of seven justices, each of whom is selected by the governor. The governor appoints from a list of three qualified individuals submitted by the Supreme Court Nominating Commission. The Supreme Court hears direct appeals from the district courts in the most serious criminal cases and appeals in any case in which a statute has been held unconstitutional. It may review cases decided by the Court of Appeals, and may transfer cases from that court to the Supreme Court. It also has original jurisdiction in several types of cases.

Parkinson added, "I also want to thank the Supreme Court Nominating Commission for sending three extremely qualified candidates for this honor. The nominating commission continues to find exemplary nominees that will serve on our courts without bias and I appreciate their hard work in this important endeavor."

Source