Birzer, '92, Selected for U.S. District Court in Kansas

Gwynne E. Birzer, BS ’89 and JD ’92, was selected as the next magistrate judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Wichita. She will replace Magistrate Judge Karen M. Humphreys, who will step down in July. Birzer is a partner in the firm of Hite, Fanning & Honeyman L.L.P. and specializes in health care litigation, medical malpractice defense, and insurance law.

Birzer’s extensive resume includes serving as an assistant district attorney for Shawnee County (Kan.) prosecuting sex crimes and child abuse cases; working as an assistant attorney general prosecuting sexually violent predator cases; and acting as judge pro tem presiding over Protection from Abuse matters, bond hearings, and probate and family law matters. She also handled felony criminal defense cases at the Sedgwick County Public Defender’s Office. Birzer has more than 18 years of trial experience and has chaired medical malpractice screening panels in the Third Judicial District.  

Presently, Birzer serves on the Kansas Bar Association’s Board of Governors and several of its committees, and is active on Wichita Bar Association committees. She is a member of the American Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute.

In the Wichita community, Birzer serves on the Kansas African American Board of Directors, and is a former president. She is a member of the City of Wichita Cultural Funding Committee and has also served on the Kansas Public Telecommunications Service Board of Trustees. Birzer teaches courses in the Department of Criminal Justice at Wichita State University as an adjunct professor. She is often a guest speaker addressing health care risk management and prevention. Birzer is active with Holy Savior Catholic Church and Midland Hospice, Inc. Board of Trustees.  

Birzer has also been involved with Leadership Greater Topeka, Topeka Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.