Jane Sieve Wilson has filed for Wyandotte County District Court Judge as a Democrat in Division 5, a position currently held by Judge Dexter Burdette, who will not be seeking re-election because of retirement.
“Wyandotte County is where I was born and where I have chosen to raise my own family. My goal is to continue to serve our community as District Court Judge,” Wilson said.
Wilson, 37, a Kansas City, Kansas, resident, was born and raised in Wyandotte County. She attended grade school at St. Patrick’s and graduated from Bishop Ward High School. Wilson earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Kansas State University and her Juris Doctor degree from Washburn University School of Law, where she was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
While attending law school, Wilson sat for and passed the Certified Public Accountant Exam. Following law school, she decided to first use her accounting background. After a few years working as a CPA, Wilson realized that her true passion was in law.
Throughout her legal career, Wilson has worked in many areas of law, however, much of her work has focused on civil litigation. Throughout the years, Wilson has spent countless hours defending insured clients in a variety of civil matters including, but not limited to, personal injury, premises liability, breach of contract and worker’s compensation matters in both Kansas and Missouri.
Wilson has tried several civil jury trials in both Kansas and Missouri. She has argued before both the Missouri and Kansas Court of Appeals. Wilson has been licensed to practice law in Illinois, Arizona, Kansas and Missouri. Currently she holds an active license in Kansas state court and Kansas U.S. District Court. She has served in Wyandotte County as a judge pro tem in both municipal court and District Court. That experience has provided excellent insight into the role of the judge in the legal process.
Wilson currently serves as the legal adviser for the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office. While serving in that role, Wilson has assisted in updating policies, providing legal advice on employment matters, defending the agency in lawsuits and arbitrations and she has provided trainings for Sheriff’s deputies on many occasions.
Even before her current position, Wilson defended and advised municipalities on a variety of matters while working at McAnany VanCleave and Philips, PA. Also while working at McAnany, Wilson presented at seminars on topics including employment law, premises liability and estate planning.
While working for an insurance company defending insureds, Wilson gained an extensive amount of experience in trial preparation and practice in a brief period of time. Wilson heard of the opportunity as legal adviser for the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office and decided that her desire to serve Wyandotte County would be better accomplished in that role.
“I have truly been blessed with amazing opportunities and co-workers throughout the years,” Wilson said. “The experience that I have obtained from my different settings throughout the years has positioned me to be a competent and respected District Court Judge.”
Beyond her professional background, Wilson has an extensive background in community involvement in Wyandotte County.
In 2009, Wilson graduated from Leadership 2000, a civil leadership course based in Wyandotte County. Following her graduation, Wilson served on the Board of Directors for Leadership 2000 for 7 years. During that time, she coordinated the programs piece of Leadership 2000, which is all held within the confines of Wyandotte County. Wilson remains involved with Leadership 2000 and assists whenever possible.
Wilson also served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, Wyandotte County Chapter for many years, until the separate Wyandotte County Chapter was absorbed into the Greater Kansas City Chapter. Wilson has in past years has also been involved with Downtown Shareholders and Wyandotte Economic Development Council.
Wilson was president of the Wyandotte County Bar Association in 2014 and served on Board of Governors for many years prior to holding that position. She remains an active member in the Bar Association and a committee chair, writing the newsletter titled “The Advocate.” Wilson also remains a member of the Kansas Bar Association.
Wilson currently serves as the president of the PTO at St. Patrick’s, her children’s school. While serving on the PTO in prior years, Wilson spearheaded a student fundraiser to purchase and install a new playground for the school. With the help of many amazing parents, family members, staff and community partners, the fundraising goal was met in the first year and Wilson led the initiative of the installation of the new playground, which was completed just before the current school year began. Wilson said she found this particularly rewarding as she was finally able to give something back to the school she attended for some many years.
Wilson is the youngest of three children. Her oldest brother, Philip Sieve, attended and graduated from Bishop Ward High School and currently lives in the metro area. Her brother, Jeff Sieve, graduated from Sumner Academy and is raising his family in Piper with his wife, Jen Sieve, and 4 children who attend school at Piper Elementary and Middle School.
Wilson is no stranger to a career in public service. Her father, Phil Sieve, served as a Wyandotte County District Court Judge and her mother, Judy Sieve, served as an elementary school teacher in Wyandotte County, both for over 30 years.
“I have so much respect for the careers that both of my parents chose in their lives and I will always strive to achieve a legacy similar to that which they have left behind in their professions,” Wilson said.
Wilson is a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Church. She has been married to her husband Chris Wilson for 10 years. Their three children attend St. Patrick’s School.
Jane Sieve Wilson said her legal background and community involvement illustrates her passion for Wyandotte County and for the law. She now seeks to further that commitment to Wyandotte County by serving as a District Court Judge.
“I have worked hard to establish myself as a respected professional and a leader in various areas of this community,” Wilson said. “I have a genuine love for Wyandotte County and a true commitment to the people who live here. If allowed to serve as District Court Judge in Wyandotte County, I promise to apply my skills, experience and strong work ethic throughout my tenure on the bench.”