Judge Evaluations
Lee Johnson
Supreme Court

The Kansas Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Justice Lee A. Johnson BE RETAINED.

Justice Johnson was appointed to the Kansas Supreme Court in January 2007. He serves as departmental justice for the 6th, 10th, 11th, 14th and 31st Judicial Districts. Justice Johnson previously served on the Kansas Court of Appeals from 2001 until 2007 and was engaged in the private practice of law for 21 years in Caldwell, Kansas, before his appointment to the Court of Appeals. Justice Johnson also served two years on active duty with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following graduation from the University of Kansas and then managed a multi-line, independent insurance agency for six years before entering and graduating from Washburn University School of Law. He served as Mayor of Caldwell in 1976-1977.

Justice Johnson frequently presents continuing legal education programs for various sponsors and enjoys staying involved with Washburn Law School. He is an active member of the Sam A. Crow Inn of Court, serving as its president in 2006-2007. Justice Johnson is a member of the Sumner County, Topeka, and Kansas Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Topeka Lawyers Club.

Justice Johnson believes his greatest strengths are that he works diligently and prepares thoroughly for every case regardless of writing assignment. He acknowledges that he tends to dominate oral arguments by asking questions and is impatient with oral arguments that he believes are unhelpful to the court. His professional goals are to be less confrontational in oral arguments and to improve time management so that he can devote more time to writing opinions.

The Commission received survey responses from 7 attorneys and 140 district judges. Despite the small sample of attorneys, the Commission determined that, because the responses were consistent, they would be used in the justice's report. Survey results showed that 85% of attorneys recommended that Justice Johnson be retained in office. 96% of district judges recommended that he be retained, with 90% strongly recommending retention. Justice Johnson received an overall average score from attorneys of 3.70 on a 4.0 scale and an overall average score from district judges of 3.66. Justice Johnson's scores exceed the required minimum average grade of 2.0 from each category of respondents. The Commission recommends that he BE RETAINED.

Justice Johnson's ratings from attorneys ranged from ratings of 3.9 in the areas of being prepared for oral argument and participating during oral argument with good questions and comments to ratings of 3.4 in making reasoned decisions based upon the law and facts and 3.3 in exhibiting scholarly legal analysis in opinions. Justice Johnson's ratings from district judges ranged from ratings of 3.8 in the areas of being prepared for oral argument, behaving in a manner free from impropriety or the appearance of impropriety, and being willing to help other judges and justices to a rating of 3.4 in allowing parties to present their arguments and answer questions.