Retired Attorney to Serve as Honorary Bailiff in for Supreme Court Liberal

“I had told him long ago, when were both just attorneys, that if he needed any help, I’d be happy to do it,” Tate said. “I love the legal process, and being a bailiff kept me involved in that and connected to the courtroom.”

When Peterson asked Tate to be a bailiff again, it was for the Kansas Supreme Court’s special session in Liberal on September 22. As bailiff, Tate will call the room to order at 6:30 p.m. as the Supreme Court enters.

Choosing to study law

Tate graduated from Emporia State University and was working as a special education teacher when he received an invitation from his former college roommate.

“He called and said he was going to law school at Washburn and asked if I’d be interested in going with him,” Tate said. “We had such a good time together at Emporia that I decided to apply to law school, and we both got in.”

Among his classmates were Marla Luckert and Lee Johnson, both of whom served on the Kansas Supreme Court. Luckert stepped back from her role as chief justice late last year before she retired in March. Johnson retired in 2019.

After graduation, Tate entered private practice and later served as city attorney for Hugoton and Stevens County attorney.

Tate said he enjoyed handling a little bit of everything, and he encourages law students and recent graduates to consider becoming a rural lawyer.

“If you practice in southwest Kansas, you get a real connection to the community and your clients because you become a part of their lives for many years,” he said. “You build a close personal relationship with them as a confidant and counselor helping them with their legal needs.”

Retirement

After his time as a volunteer bailiff, Tate moved to Shawnee to be closer to his grandchildren. He keeps active with traveling, distance running, reading, and going to movies. He’s completed the TCS New York City Marathon three times but says he now sticks to 5K races.

Supreme Court special session in Liberal

The Supreme Court visit to Liberal is part of its outreach to familiarize Kansans with the court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.

The court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, at Liberal High School, 1611 W 2nd St., Liberal. A brief informational session before oral argument will start about 6:15 p.m.

After the special session ends, justices will greet the public in an informal reception.

Attending the special session

Details about the special session, including the case that will be heard, an explanation of oral argument, and tips for attending in person are at kscourts.gov/travel-docket.