The Hon. Karen Arnold-Burger

The Hon. Karen Arnold-Burger

Appointed 2011, Chief Judge

Chief Judge Karen Arnold-Burger is a fourth-generation Kansan born in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended Johnson County Community College and the University of Kansas for her undergraduate degrees and earned a law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law. She worked as a municipal and federal prosecutor and then as a municipal judge before being named to the Kansas Court of Appeals. She became chief judge in 2017.

Full Report     Full Bio 

Judicial Survey: Opinions by Judges

• Kucharski-Berger v. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., 60 Kan. App. 2d 510, 494 P.3d 283 (2021)

• In re Rockhill Pain Specialists, P.A., 55 Kan. App. 2d 161, 162, 412 P.3d 1008, 1012 (2017)

• Bicknell v. Kansas Dep't of Revenue, 59 Kan. App. 2d 500, 534, 485 P.3d 679, 701 (2021), rev'd, 315 Kan. 451, 509 P.3d 1211 (2022) (Arnold-Burger dissenting)

Survey Methodology

The survey aimed to provide an objective assessment of the judges' effectiveness, impartiality, and professionalism based on feedback from Kansas lawyers. Surveys were distributed to more than 16,000 licensed Kansas lawyers. Survey respondents were asked to participate only if they had direct and personal knowledge of the judge’s qualifications during their current term of office.

For the Overall Rating, Retention Recommendation, and Detailed Measures of Performance, a numeric score is assigned to each categorical survey response.  For example, in Overall Ratings, these scores range from 0 = “Very Poor” to 100 = “Very Good,” where a score of 50 represents an "Average" rating.  For the retention recommendation, a similar procedure is followed, where a score of 50 represents a neutral response (neither for nor against retention).  Scores above 50 indicate positive overall ratings and support for retention, while scores below 50 indicate negative or less favorable ratings.

We encourage readers to review these results carefully, along with other available information, to ensure a well-rounded understanding of each judge’s record and contributions to the judicial system. The integrity of our judicial process relies on an informed electorate. We are grateful to our partners and IPSR for their role in supporting Your Kansas Judges and the Judicial Survey Project.