The Hon. Evelyn Z. Wilson is a justice of the Kansas Supreme Court. She was appointed to the seat by Governor Laura Kelly in December 2019, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Lee Johnson.
Prior to her appointment, Wilson presided as a judge for the 3rd Judicial District Court in Shawnee County since 2004. During her tenure, she served for five years as Chief Judge of the court (2014 to 2019).
Before joining the bench, she was associated with Wright, Henson, Somers, Sebelius, Clark & Baker in Topeka, having joined the firm in 1992. Wilson would go on to become a managing partner in the firm. She also taught as an adjunct professor at Washburn University School of Law. She began her legal career as an associate at the Lund Law Firm (1985 to 1992) and also spent several years as a city councilor and prosecutor for the City of Oberlin.
Wilson received a bachelor’s degree in business from Bethany College in 1982. She then completed a J.D. at Washburn University School of Law in 1985.
Her memberships include the Kansas Bar Foundation, the Kansas District Judges Association, the Kansas Women Attorneys Association, and the Topeka Bar Association.
Wilson was born in Smith Center, Kansas. She is credited with spearheading and developing the Shawnee County Crisis Intervention Team.