Douglas County Judge Pokorny announces retirement after nearly 50 years of legal service

After 17 years on the bench and nearly five decades in the legal profession, Kansas Seventh Judicial District Court Judge Sally Davis Pokorny announces her retirement, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career defined by service, fairness and innovation in the justice system.

Judge Pokorny began her legal career nearly 50 years ago, serving as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor before being appointed to the District Court by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and taking the bench in 2009. Throughout her tenure, Judge Pokorny earned a reputation for integrity, thoughtful jurisprudence, and a deep commitment to justice for all parties who came before the court.

“I have been fortunate to spend my career in service to the law and to the people of Kansas,” Judge Pokorny said. “Serving as a district court judge has been the greatest honor of my professional life, and I am especially proud of the relationships built with colleagues, attorneys, and those I was privileged to mentor along the way.”

A defining achievement of Judge Pokorny’s judicial service was her role as the first judge in Kansas to establish a Behavioral Health Court. Working collaboratively with former Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson, at the time Senior Assistant District Attorney Mark Simpson and Sharon Zehr, her team of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, and the team at DCCCA, Judge Pokorny helped create a court model that emphasized accountability, treatment, and dignity for individuals with serious mental health challenges. The program reflected her belief that effective justice requires both structure and compassion, and it has served as a model for problem-solving courts across the state and for 10 years has positively impacted countless lives.

Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court Eric Rosen said, “Judge Pokorny’s career is a remarkable testament to integrity, intellect, and heart. As a colleague, I have long respected her thoughtful, well-reasoned approach to the law and her unwavering commitment to fairness. As a friend, I have appreciated her straightforward, candid manner and the sense of humor she brought to even the most challenging days throughout her career and especially on the bench. Her leadership in establishing Kansas’ first Behavioral Health Court demonstrated her innovative spirit and belief that justice must be both accountable and compassionate. She has served the people of Kansas with wisdom, courage, and authenticity, and her presence in the seventh judicial district will be deeply missed.”  

“Judge Pokorny is diligent in her work and is empathetic to everyone that appears in her courtroom. Her breadth and depth of experience, her wisdom and her kindness make her irreplaceable,” Seventh District Court Chief Judge Mark Simpson said.

Colleagues, attorneys, and community members credit Judge Pokorny with bringing compassion, balance, and steady leadership to the courtroom. Her legacy includes not only decades of legal service, but also meaningful reform and a more humane approach to justice.

Judge Pokorny graduated Magna Cum Laude from Washburn University in 1975 and received her Juris Doctorate with Deans Honors at Washburn School of Law in 1978.

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Pokorny practiced law for more than 30 years in both public service and private practice. She began her career as an assistant District Attorney in Shawnee County and continued as a criminal and family law attorney including defense of persons charged with first degree murder, battered and abused children, collection of child support, divorce and custody cases. In addition to private practice her experience extends to working as a child support enforcement attorney with the State, as a Cherryvale City Attorney and was elected the first woman County Attorney in Independence, Kansas, and Montgomery County. She served as a Pro Tem District Court Judge in Shawnee County handling stalking and protection from abuse cases, was an adjunct professor at Washburn University School of Law and the University of Kansas School of Law, where she taught trial techniques. This wide-ranging experience informed a judicial philosophy grounded in preparation, balance, and practical understanding of the legal system from all perspectives.

After moving from Montgomery County, Kansas, to Douglas County and Lawrence, Judge Pokorny was of counsel in the Law Offices of David J. Brown.

Judge Pokorny has also been a longstanding leader within the Kansas Bar. She chaired numerous committees and was a trustee of the Kansas Bar Foundation for more than a decade as well as president of the Kansas Bar Foundation. She served on the Kansas Bar Association’s Board of Governors. Additionally, she was president of the Douglas County Hugh Means Inn of Court and served a number of years on the Inn’s Executive Committee. She was a charter member of the Kansas Women Attorneys Association and co-founded, with Attorney Kathy Kirk, the Lawrence Women Attorneys monthly networking group, reflecting her commitment to legal mentorship and advancing the profession.

Throughout her career, Judge Pokorny has been recognized for her excellence and service, including receiving the Kansas Bar Association Outstanding Service Award; a special recognition for Pro Bono Commitment; received the prestigious Kansas Women Attorney Association Jennie Mitchell Kellogg Award and multiple community honors for leadership and advocacy.

Judge Pokorny would like to thank the people of Douglas County who voted to retain her four times, to the members of the Nominating Committee who sent her name to the Governor and to Sebelius who appointed her to the bench.

Beyond the courtroom, Judge Pokorny has been deeply involved in civic and community organizations, supporting causes ranging from education and professional development to cancer advocacy and women and youth mentorship.

Judge Pokorny’s retirement marks the conclusion of a distinguished career devoted to justice, professionalism, and service to the people of Kansas. The court and legal community extend their sincere gratitude and best wishes as she begins this next chapter.

Judge Pokorny is the proud mother of two sons, Brian and Mike.

Judge Pokorny’s retirement will be effective April 10. The public formal recognition and farewell ceremony will occur at 3 p.m. April 10 in the historic courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., in Lawrence.