Fort Scott native named to judge's post in Girard

Having enjoyed debate and forensics as a Fort Scott High School student -- and later as a teacher and coach-- Lori Bolton Fleming found the best outlet for her talents was the law. She's now reached a pinnacle of that profession by being appointed a judge.

Posted in Girard, Fleming, 38, is now the first woman judge in the 11th District Circuit. Although she has been in her job since May 29, her swearing in ceremony was held June 22 and attended by most of her family -- including her parents Mark and Brinda Bolton of Fort Scott, and husband, Kyle, and three children, as well as many well-wishers from Fort Scott.

Fleming replaces Judge Donald Noland, now retired, who held the seat for 21 years. A seven-member district nominating committee considered nine applicants and whittled those down to three, which were sent to Gov. Sam Brownback. Brownback selected Fleming for the spot.

The native Fort Scottian has a bachelor's degree in music education from Pittsburg State University and has a teaching certificate in English. She was a debate coach when she decided to go to law school -- in this case Washburn Law School in Topeka.

"I really love education," Fleming said. "I always thought I might like to go to law school, but I also loved teaching. As much as I loved coaching debate and forensics," she wanted to get in on the legal action.

She started off as a a prosecutor with the Crawford County Attorney's Office and ended up in private practice at Wilbert & Towner for about eight years. One reason she wanted the position in Girard is it sees a lot of juvenile cases and domestics, plus criminal and general civil litigation -- "a little bit of everything," Fleming said.

"I had visited with Judge Noland over the years about it and I just really enjoyed watching him handling the cases with the juveniles," she said, adding how important it is to have a jurist who is passionate about kids and looks at every individual's situation.

"Our job is the same in every case -- to interpret and apply the law to that set of facts. Our role is always the same. There are some cases that are more difficult to hear just in the facts. We hear some very tragic cases involving kids, but we've got to remain objective and act in their best interest," Fleming said.

Being the first woman named to the Girard judge's post doesn't faze Fleming much. "Diversity is something very near and dear to me. I'm always happy when we have diverse courts and communities," she said.

Her family was quite excited at her new job.

"They came out to watch my very first hearing," Fleming said. "My middle one, he's pretty ornery. When the clerk said 'all rise,' he was snickering."