K. Gary Sebelius
Encyclopedia
Keith Gary Sebelius known professionally as K. Gary Sebelius or Gary Sebelius, is a United States magistrate judge
and a former federal judicial nominee to the United States District Court for the District of Kansas
. He is the husband of United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
Kathleen Sebelius
and also served as the First Gentleman of Kansas
from 2003 to 2009, while his wife was governor.
, Sebelius earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Kansas State University
in 1971 and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center
in 1974. Sebelius' father, Keith Sebelius
, served as a United States congressman from Kansas.
. He worked as an associate at the law firm of Eidson, Lewis, Porter & Haynes from 1974 until 1979, and then served as a partner at the firm from 1979 until 1989. From 1989 until 1993, Sebelius was a partner at the firm of Davis, Wright, Unrein, Hummer & McCallister. Sebelius then worked as a partner at the Topeka law firm Wright, Henson, Somers, Sebelius, Clark & Baker from 1993 until 2003. During his time in private practice, Sebelius became best known for defending the Topeka Board of Education in the reopened Brown v. Board of Education
case in federal court.
nominated Sebelius to be a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Kansas
to fill the vacancy created by the decision by Judge George Thomas VanBebber
to take senior status
. However, with the United States Senate
controlled by Republicans, many of Clinton's judicial nominations languished. In particular, Sebelius' nomination was reported to have been held up by Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback
. President George W. Bush
later wound up successfully nominating Julie A. Robinson
to the seat to which Sebelius had been nominated.
appointed Sebelius to an eight-year term as a United States magistrate judge
. Sebelius began hearing cases in February 2003 and was formally sworn in on June 11, 2003.
United States magistrate judge
In the United States federal courts, magistrate judges are appointed to assist United States district court judges in the performance of their duties...
and a former federal judicial nominee to the United States District Court for the District of Kansas
United States District Court for the District of Kansas
The United States District Court for the District of Kansas is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Kansas. The Court operates out of the Robert J. Dole United States Courthouse in Kansas City, the Frank Carlson Federal Building in Topeka, and the United States Courthouse...
. He is the husband of United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, concerned with health matters. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet...
Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius is an American politician currently serving as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. She was the second female Governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, the Democratic respondent to the 2008 State of the Union address, and chair-emerita of the Democratic Governors...
and also served as the First Gentleman of Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
from 2003 to 2009, while his wife was governor.
Early life and education
Born in Norton, KansasNorton, Kansas
Norton is a city in and the county seat of Norton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,928.-History:...
, Sebelius earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
in 1971 and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
in 1974. Sebelius' father, Keith Sebelius
Keith Sebelius
Keith George Sebelius was an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 to 1981....
, served as a United States congressman from Kansas.
Professional career
Before becoming a judge, Sebelius had a long career as a lawyer in Topeka, KansasTopeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
. He worked as an associate at the law firm of Eidson, Lewis, Porter & Haynes from 1974 until 1979, and then served as a partner at the firm from 1979 until 1989. From 1989 until 1993, Sebelius was a partner at the firm of Davis, Wright, Unrein, Hummer & McCallister. Sebelius then worked as a partner at the Topeka law firm Wright, Henson, Somers, Sebelius, Clark & Baker from 1993 until 2003. During his time in private practice, Sebelius became best known for defending the Topeka Board of Education in the reopened Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 , was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 which...
case in federal court.
Failed nomination to the United States District Court for the District of Kansas
On June 6, 2000, President Bill ClintonBill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
nominated Sebelius to be a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Kansas
United States District Court for the District of Kansas
The United States District Court for the District of Kansas is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Kansas. The Court operates out of the Robert J. Dole United States Courthouse in Kansas City, the Frank Carlson Federal Building in Topeka, and the United States Courthouse...
to fill the vacancy created by the decision by Judge George Thomas VanBebber
George Thomas VanBebber
George Thomas VanBebber was a United States federal judge.Born in Troy, Kansas, VanBebber received a B.A. from the University of Kansas in 1953 and an LL.B...
to take senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
. However, with the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
controlled by Republicans, many of Clinton's judicial nominations languished. In particular, Sebelius' nomination was reported to have been held up by Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback
Sam Brownback
Samuel Dale "Sam" Brownback is the 46th and current Governor of Kansas. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a U.S. Senator from Kansas from 1996 to 2011, and as a U.S. Representative for Kansas's 2nd congressional district from 1995 to 1996...
. President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
later wound up successfully nominating Julie A. Robinson
Julie A. Robinson
Julie Ann Robinson is a United States federal judge.Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Robinson received a B.S. from the University of Kansas in 1978 and a J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1981. She was a law clerk, Private practice, Kansas in 1981. She was a Law clerk, Hon. Benjamin E....
to the seat to which Sebelius had been nominated.
Work as a U.S. magistrate judge
On August 16, 2002, the judges on the United States District Court for the District of KansasUnited States District Court for the District of Kansas
The United States District Court for the District of Kansas is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Kansas. The Court operates out of the Robert J. Dole United States Courthouse in Kansas City, the Frank Carlson Federal Building in Topeka, and the United States Courthouse...
appointed Sebelius to an eight-year term as a United States magistrate judge
United States magistrate judge
In the United States federal courts, magistrate judges are appointed to assist United States district court judges in the performance of their duties...
. Sebelius began hearing cases in February 2003 and was formally sworn in on June 11, 2003.