After 41 years of service as Independence Municipal Judge, William "Bill" Kelly will be retiring from the position.

 

A native of Independence and a local attorney, Kelly began his service as judge to the city in 1979. He had also served as a Municipal Judge for the communities of Elk City, Cherryvale and Neodesha. In 2015, he joined local attorney Joslyn Kusiak in establishing Kelly and Kusiak Law Office LLC. He retired from private law practice in 2018.

 

To replace Kelly, Interim City Manager Kelly Passauer has appointed Kusiak to fill the position starting June 1st. On that date, the court schedule will change, with proceedings taking place on Wednesdays only. In addition, while Kelly had been an employee of the city, the position will be structured as an independent contractor position moving forward.

 

Kusiak had been serving as Municipal Judge Pro Tem, presiding over court in Kelly's absence. She had also been serving as the Neodesha Municipal Judge since February 2019.

 

Kusiak will continue her private law practice while serving as judge. She will also continue her duties as the Neodesha Municipal Judge. She is a longtime Independence resident and obtained her law degree from the Washburn University School of Law.