Courtney Mikesic, a lifelong Democrat, has filed for District Court judge, a position currently held by Judge Robert Serra who will not be seeking re-election because of retirement.
Mikesic previously ran for judge in 2014 but finished second by a narrow margin, in a three-person race. Mikesic believes this election is important for Wyandotte County.
“We have an opportunity to elect a judge who represents the future of our County and will also add diversity to the bench.” Mikesic said. “Wyandotte County District Court has 16 judges and only three are woman. This election, you have the opportunity to fill the vacancy left by Judge Serra. Your vote will help bring a fresh perspective to the bench and add the diversity we deserve here in Wyandotte County.”
Courtney Mikesic, 36, a Kansas City, Kan., resident, was born and raised in Wyandotte County and is a fourth generation Wyandotte Countian. She graduated from Bishop Ward High School and was a National Honor Society member. She graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College, summa cum laude, earning an athletic scholarship to play Division I NCAA volleyball at Long Island University.
Mikesic earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Long Island University, graduating magna cum laude. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Washburn University School of Law at Washburn University and was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
Mikesic began her legal career by working at the Kansas Supreme Court in the Office of Judicial Administration. While attending law school she dedicated her time away from studies at the Family Law Clinic, representing families that were in need of legal representation in matters, including, divorce, child in need of care and juvenile cases.
During her last year of law school Mikesic worked at the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s office prosecuting offenders in a variety of traffic matters, DUIs and misdemeanors. She also gained experience drafting criminal charges.
Mikesic is licensed to practice law in both Kansas and Missouri, and admitted to practice in both Kansas and Missouri U.S. District courts. Mikesic has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in court and is currently managing attorney at the law firm of Kramer and Frank, P.C.
Mikesic’s law practice covers 41 Kansas counties and 20 Missouri counties. She has extensive trial experience including bench and jury trials. She was a former associate with law the firm of Holbrook and Osborn, P.A., where she practiced in areas of civil and corporate litigation specializing in insurance, medical malpractice defense litigation and drafted pleadings for Kansas Court of Appeals cases.
Mikesic’s experience includes litigating cases in divorces, child in need of care cases, criminal misdemeanor, all levels of traffic offenses, DUI, breach of contract, creditor’s rights, medical malpractice defense, insurance defense, government regulatory litigation, probate matters including wills and trusts and worker compensation law.
Courtney Mikesic has distinguished herself as a leader in the legal profession and has litigated more than 5,000 cases and has been awarded judgments and settlements amounting to millions of dollars.
Mikesic is also serving as a judge pro tem in Wyandotte County. As a judge pro tem she has presided over many cases and gained valuable experience in knowing what it takes to make a good judge. She believes that Wyandotte Countians are interested in electing a judge who not only has legal experience but also “good common sense” and is honest, hard working, capable and dependable.
“They want a judge who has compassion and understanding for the parties that appear in court and at the same time will take care of the people’s business in a fair and impartial manner,” she said.
As an attorney Mikesic is proud of her reputation as a no-nonsense, honest attorney, with a reputation of integrity and service to the people, thus making her the best qualified candidate for the judgeship. She believes the citizens of Wyandotte County work hard for their wages and she will work hard for the people while serving as judge.
“With taxes always increasing the judicial system must look for ways to increase efficiency and better serve the people,” she stated.
Mikesic has been a member of the Kansas and Missouri Bar Associations, Wyandotte and Johnson County Bar Associations, American Health Care Lawyers Association, and the Kansas City Society of Hospital Attorneys.
Mikesic has volunteered her time and talents in many local civic organizations and is a board member of the Leavenworth Road Association of Wyandotte County, a member of the Wyandotte County Democrats, a member of the Greater Kansas City Women’s Caucus, a member of The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City, Kansas, a member of The Kansas Black Chamber of Commerce, a member of Wyandotte and Johnson County Junior League, a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union and the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Kan.
Courtney Mikesic is married to Jeff Stoppel and has two dogs, Bella and Petey.
Mikesic stated she is gratified by the support she has received from all areas of the county and will continue to build on this support and earn the people’s vote on Aug. 2.
