Satterfield declares candidacy for 13th Judicial District’s Division 1 seat

On Tuesday, Butler County Attorney Jan Satterfield filed in Topeka as a candidate for District Judge in the Aug. 3 primary and November general election.

There are two Judicial positions/divisions in this election cycle for the 13th Judicial District. Division 1 is currently held by Chief John E. Sanders, who announced he will be retiring and not filing for re-election. 

Satterfield is filing to run for this vacated seat.  The Division 4 position is currently held by Judge Mike Ward who has filed for re-election.

Satterfield said although she has enjoyed and appreciated her opportunity to serve as Butler County Attorney for the last 11 years, to serve as a District Court Judge would be a new challenge and a further opportunity to serve in just a different capacity.

“Judges’ rulings can make a tremendous difference in the direction and outcome of cases,” she said.

Serving the interests of the community continues to be her motivation. 

Satterfield believes her background, not only in the criminal trial arena, but the civil arena as well, makes her a capable and competent candidate for judge. 

“Although my concentration has primarily been in criminal prosecution since law school graduation, I had a window of opportunity when I was hired as an Assistant Butler County Attorney in 1992 to handle legal aid divorce and custody work in Butler County. I enjoy family law.” 

Satterfield said the Butler County Attorney’s Office has evolved to require a full-time commitment in prosecution from all attorneys in her office. 

Satterfield manages an office of 15 staff members and a budget.  She has overseen thousands of cases and managed to stay within budget every year.

Prior to attending law school at Washburn School of Law in 1987, Satterfield obtained an associate degree in paralegal studies at Wichita State University. 

She worked full time as a legal assistant for McDonald, Tinker, Skaer, Quinn & Herrington in Wichita, assisting with insurance defense litigation in medical malpractice, legal malpractice and aviation litigation cases while in undergraduate school.

She obtained a bachelor of general studies in 1987 from WSU.

While in law school in Topeka, Satterfield interned at a plaintiffs litigation firm handling asbestos litigation, car accident cases and  appellate work.

She also assisted in editing and drafting the Kansas Bar Association Manual on Domestic/ Family Law for professor Linda Elrod. She was student clinical director and received the outstanding student intern award.

She also received recognition in complex litigation. 

During her tenure as county attorney and assistant county attorney, Satterfield has tried numerous cases ranging from misdemeanor to homicide cases.  She has handled appeals before the Court of Appeals and the Kansas Supreme Court.

“Knowing how to preserve a case for appeal and successfully arguing affirmation on appeal is an important function for a district judge,” she said.  

Satterfield is proud of her record of convictions and successful appellate record. 

She said that as the chief law enforcement official for Butler County, she understands that as a “minister” of justice all interests must be weighed and sometimes hard decisions have to be made in light of the evidence. 

As county attorney, she is most proud of her advocacy work for women and children.

She has developed policies on domestic violence cases, litigated sexual abuse cases, and was a board member of the Safehouse and a volunteer and a founding member of Sunlight Children’s Advocacy and Rights Foundation (SCARF). 

This organization established Sunlight Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in 2007. 

Satterfield is also an advisory board member of the Butler Community College Administration of Justice Program, a member of the National and State County and District Attorneys Association, and served on the Governor’s Task Force to consider consolidation of law enforcement and a KBI Task Force.

She has been married to Mike Satterfield, a design engineer in aviation, for 20 years. 

They are members of St. John’s Catholic Church in El Dorado and have five children and three grandchildren.

Satterfield has filed as a Republican candidate.