Meet our Judges

Kendra  S Lewison 

Judge Lewison practiced law for 24 years prior to her appointment as District Judge in 2019.  She is a 1992 graduate of Kansas State University and a 1995 graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law.  She practiced in the Kansas City area until 2009 when she moved back to Manhattan, and was working as an Assistant Riley County Attorney from 2010 until her appointment to the bench.  She has served on the boards of several community organizations.  Judge Lewison is married and has two children.

Grant D Bannister 

(Chief Judge)

Judge Bannister graduated from the University of Kansas Law School in 1997. He engaged in the private practice of law in Manhattan, Kansas for the following nineteen years. He also served as an adjunct professor teaching ethics in the College of Business at Kansas State University. Prior to being appointed as a District Court Judge in September of 2016, Bannister served on numerous legal committees, civic boards and youth organizations. He has competed in numerous half marathons and marathons. He is married and has three children.

James R Kepple

Judge Kepple practiced law for seven years prior to serving as a District Magistrate Judge in the 24th Judicial District from 1993 until his appointment as District Magistrate Judge in Riley County in 2017. Judge Kepple is a 1982 graduate of Kansas State University and a 1985 graduate of Washburn University School of Law. He has served on numerous legal committees, including the District Magistrate Judge Certification Committee, the Judicial Needs Assessment Committee of the Judicial Branch Weighted Caseload Study, and the Access to Justice Committee. Judge Kepple is married and has two children.