Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez Announces Veteran Prosecutor as Chief Assistant District Attorney

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez recently announced the hiring of veteran prosecutor Jennifer Tatum as a Chief Assistant District Attorney.

“Throughout her career, Jennifer has demonstrated a commitment to seeking justice,” District Attorney Suzanne Valdez said. “She is a respected litigator and experienced prosecutor whose leadership skills will help advance our mission to build a safe and just community.” 

Most recently, Tatum served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Jackson County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney's Office. During her tenure, she was a member of the Violent Crimes Unit, Office Diversity Committee and Use of Force Committee which made charging decisions in officer-involved shootings.

Tatum, who was sworn in by Douglas County District Court Judge Amy Hanley on September 10, has earned several awards for her work during her career, including the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office Patrick B. Hall Trial Attorney of the Year in 2020, the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association Prosecutor of the Year in 2017 and the Wyandotte County Child Advocate of the Year in 2012.

Prior to working in Missouri, Tatum served as deputy district attorney for the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office where she began her prosecutorial career as an assistant district attorney in 2005. During her time in Wyandotte County, Tatum led more than 90 jury trials, served as lead prosecutor on the first-ever Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) case filed under the Kansas state statute, and served as a founding member of a Cold Case Unit which resulted in five cold case charges and four successful prosecutions of decades-old cases.

Tatum earned her bachelor’s degrees in English and history from the University of Kansas and her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law.