Submitted
Graham County District Magistrate Judge Jessie A. Thompson has filed for the office of district judge of the 17th Judicial District. The 17th Judicial District consists of Graham, Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Smith, and Osborne Counties.
After graduating from Hill City High School in 2001, Jessie attended Kansas State University and received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in English Literature and Women’s Studies. Jessie went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law. While studying law at KU, Jessie had the pleasure of studying abroad one summer at the Bahcesehir University in Istanbul, Turkey. While in Istanbul, she studied comparative constitutional law under a United States Supreme Court justice. Jessie obtained her Juris Doctor from KU Law in 2008. After passing the Kansas bar exam, Jessie worked in private practice in Chanute, Kansas. Her law practice consisted of a wide variety of cases and a diverse clientele. With an extended family in Hill City and a desire to return to western Kansas, Jessie was elected district magistrate judge in 2012. Jessie has held the office of district magistrate judge for the past 11 ½ years. During her tenure, Jessie has served on the Board of Trustees for the 17th Judicial District Joint Law Library as the secretary and treasurer and as a member of the Northwest Kansas District Magistrate Judges Association, serving as the secretary and treasurer of the association for three years.
Having been appointed district judge pro tem on many occasions, Jessie has a detailed understanding of the obligations and responsibilities required as a district judge. Her extensive experience on the bench will provide for a smooth transition from magistrate to district judge.
Jessie’s husband works as a food safety inspector for the Kansas Department of Agriculture, and for the last eleven years, he has owned and operated Little Cow Coffee, LLC, providing fresh roasted coffee to coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and customers. Jessie and her husband have two sons, Clark (age 12) and Leo (age 10). When she isn’t working, Jessie enjoys going for long runs with her dog, gardening, and traveling with her family.
Jessie envisions a judicial system that is fair, transparent, and accessible to all. Deeply rooted in her community, Jessie understands the unique needs and challenges of western Kansas. With a focus on integrity and impartiality, Jessie aims to ensure that every resident of the 17th Judicial District feels heard and represented in the legal process. Jessie would be honored to continue to serve the people of the 17th Judicial District.