Chief Judge James R. McCabria announced July 15 that three employees of the Seventh Judicial District were recognized for contributing 20 years of service to the district.

“There is no way to begin to quantify what these employees contribute to our court operations,” McCabria said. “I’m not sure how many people start working for the court with the goal of achieving 20 years of service. Until someone works from within, it is hard to see the opportunity to make important contributions to the administration of our legal system that these jobs offer. The three people we honor today discovered the personal reward of contributing to our community through their service within the court system. I hope they serve as inspiration to others to discover that same reward.”

Debra Oakleaf serves as a court reporter and Vernon Anderson started in the clerk’s office but has served as an administrative assistant since 2013. Both are assigned to Division Three. Debra Pennington works as a paralegal in the Court Trustee’s office.

Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court Marla Luckert wrote letters of congratulation for the personal achievement of 20 years of service, along with pins to commemorate the milestone.