Judge Gettler Biography

Honorable Jeffrey W Gettler was elected to the bench in 2016 and has served as Chief Judge for the 14th Judicial District since January 2019, presiding over cases in Montgomery and Chautauqua Counties. Judge Gettler hears an array of cases, including civil, domestic, and criminal cases. Judge Gettler is also assigned the juvenile offender docket.

Judge Gettler was born and raised in Independence and attended Independence public schools. He is a graduate of Independence Community College, Loyola University Chicago, and University of Kansas School of Law.

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Gettler worked in the private practice of law for over ten years at Emert, Chubb and Gettler, LLC. Judge Gettler also served as the city prosecutor for the City of Independence, city attorney for the City of Cherryvale, and attorney for Unified School Districts 446 and 447.

Judge Gettler is actively involved in the community as a member and past president of Rotary Club of Independence, 2013 generalissimo and past chair of Neewollah, Inc., Independence Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, and 2010 graduate of Leadership Independence. Judge Gettler also serves on the Kansas Children’s Service League Board of Directors.

Judge Gettler is a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, past president of the KBA Young Lawyer’s Section, past member of the Board of Trustees of the Kansas Bar Foundation, and a member of the American Bar Association. Judge Gettler is a member of the Kansas District Judges Association and the American Judges Association.

Judge Gettler resides in Independence with his wife, Joslyn M. Kusiak, attorney with Kelly and Kusiak Law Office LLC.