The United States District Court for the District of Kansas announces the selection of Brooks Severson as the next United States Magistrate Judge in Wichita, Kansas. Ms. Severson holds a dual-major Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in Business Administration and Accounting and Finance. In 2005, she earned her Juris Doctorate, with Honors, from the Washburn University School of Law.

Following graduation, Ms. Severson joined Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson & Kitch, L.L.C., in Wichita, Kansas, where she is still a member. Ms. Severson is a trial attorney focusing on civil litigation within federal and state court, primarily in the areas of insurance defense, personal injury, employment law, governmental liability, and education law. She recently completed the Second Chair Training Program offered by the Federal Public Defender’s Office to prepare to take assignment of criminal defense cases.

Ms. Severson is a member of the Wichita Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, and Federal Bar Association. She currently serves as President of the Kansas Association of Defense Counsel.  In 2020, Ms. Severson received the Distinguished Service award from the KADC and in 2021 she was named as one of Wichita’s Women Who Lead in Legal Services by the Wichita Business Journal. Ms. Severson has also been an active member of the community, serving as a Big Brothers Big Sister mentor, a Wichita chapter board member of Get Your Rear in Gear, and a board member of Together Wichita.

Ms. Severson will be sworn in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge upon the completion of an FBI background check. Ms. Severson will succeed Magistrate Judge Kenneth G. Gale, who intends to retire August 19, 2023, after 13 years on the bench.