David S. Patrzykont has filed for Wyandotte County District Court judge.
Patrzykont, a Wyandotte County attorney, is running for Division 12, a position currently held by Tony Martinez.
Patrzykont practices in a small firm located at 9th Street and Armstrong Avenue in downtown Kansas City, Kansas. While the bulk of his practice is criminal defense and family law, he also practices in the areas of civil, personal injury, probate, contract, and property law.
“I believe that my practice has prepared me for whatever I may face as a judge,” he said. “As a new judge you don’t know what types of cases you will be presiding over. Having a diverse caseload has introduced me to a range of issues, areas of law and clients. It helps you get a better understanding of what different people have to go through in and out of the courtroom.”
Patrzykont is a Kansas City, Kansas, firefighter, who also practices law, and said if elected, he would give up his firefighter position.
Patrzykont, 43, is a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Kansas. He is a 1997 Sumner graduate. He graduated from Kansas City, Kansas Community College with an Associates of Applied Science in Fire Science-Paramedicine. He then attended the University of Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he was a member of Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity.
“I believe that my non-traditional college career will be an asset if I am elected. I did not have someone else paying my way and throughout my entire college career I worked a full-time job, and at times also a part time job. I understand what it’s like to have to work hard for what you have and I am very empathetic to people who are struggling.” Patrzykont attended law school while working full time at the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department. Since
graduating from law school he has continued to work for the Fire Department while also practicing as an attorney. He is a captain on the Fire Department, where he has worked for 17 years.
Patrzykont and his wife, Sara, have five kids together, the youngest 16 and the oldest 22.
“My family is very important to me and is a great source of support.” He is also a fourth generation Wyandotte Countian. Patrzykont’s father and grandfather both retired from the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department after long careers serving Kansas City and Wyandotte County.
Though his family and careers keep him busy, he said he enjoys taking time giving back to the community. He and his wife are assistant Scoutmasters in their local Boy Scouts troop.
In addition to Scouting, Patrzykont is also a captain in the Kansas City Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary of the Air Force. The squadron meets at the Kansas National Guard Armory at 18th Street and Ridge Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.
“There are many aspects of Civil Air Patrol that are rewarding, but perhaps the most rewarding is our squadron’s focus on our cadet program that targets at risk kids,” he said. “We hope that we can provide kids with a program that builds character and leadership skills that will help them their entire lives.”
Patrzykont is running for judge because he hopes to bring patience, humility, and civility to the bench.
“Wyandotte County is possibly the most diverse county in the state. Our neighbors come from all walks of life, be that racially, socially, or economically. However, we are all citizens of this county and deserve the same respect, access, and treatment from the judicial system,” he said. “I have seen the treatment that people have received over the past few years and to me it is unacceptable. Regardless of why you are in the courtroom you deserve respect. That same respect should also apply to people who don’t live in Wyandotte County yet find themselves parties to our courts.”
Patrzykont stated that he never thought that he would run against a sitting judge but he feels that he has the right temperament to be the respectful and compassionate judge that the people deserve.
