lawton nuss
Former Chief Justice, Kansas Supreme Court | Salina, Kansas
Lawton Nuss’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to public service, spanning military, legal, and judicial arenas. A fourth-generation Kansan born in Salina in 1952, Nuss earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and history from the University of Kansas in 1975 through a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, serving four years as a combat engineering officer with the Fleet Marine Force Pacific. After his military service, he returned to the University of Kansas and earned his Juris Doctor in 1982.
Nuss practiced law for two decades at the Salina firm of Clark, Mize & Linville, Chartered, handling a broad spectrum of civil and criminal cases. His peers recognized his legal acumen and ethics with an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the organization's highest distinction.
In 2002, Governor Bill Graves appointed Nuss to the Kansas Supreme Court, marking the first time in over 20 years that a practicing attorney ascended directly to the state's highest court. He became Chief Justice in 2010, overseeing nearly 300 judges and 1,600 employees handling approximately 400,000 cases annually.
Beyond the bench, Nuss has been actively involved in community service. He served as chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board and was a member of the board of trustees for St. John's Military School. He also co-chaired the State and Federal Courts Committee of the Kansas Bar Association.
After retiring from the Supreme Court in 2019, Nuss continued his dedication to veterans' affairs. He chairs the board of directors for the Veterans Court Coalition and serves on advisory boards for the Veterans Justice Commission and the Veterans Legal Support Clinic at the University of Kansas School of Law.
Nuss resides in Topeka with his wife, Barbara. They have five grown children.