Judge Joseph Bribiesca

CLEO 1974

“I was accepted into law school on the condition that I successfully complete CLEO; For me CLEO was a Godsend.”

Judge Joseph Bribiesca has been a judge with the Eighteenth Judicial District, Sedgwick County District Court, in Wichita, KS since 1994. Prior to this, he served as a Municipal Court judge for 14 years (1980-1994) in Maize, KS, where he adjudicated criminal and traffic complaints relative to city ordinances. He was also a private practitioner for 16 years in Wichita, specializing in handling various legal matters, including research, planning and counseling; preparation of memoranda, opinion letters, negotiations and representation in court proceedings. In 1987, Judge Bribiesca was a Judge Pro Tem in the Sedgwick County District Court, Juvenile Department. For three years, he served as a Guardian Ad Litem for Juvenile Court in Wichita, KS, for which he advised juvenile offenders and provided courtroom representation.

In between 1974 and 1981, Judge Bribiesca served as an attorney for Social and Rehabilitation Services in Wichita; a City Prosecutor in Mulvane, KS and Wichita, KS; and a research assistant/law clerk for the Division of Workers’ Compensation in Topeka, KS. Judge Bribiesca received his JD in 1977 from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, KS. In 1974, he earned his BA in Spanish from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS. He also has an Associate of Arts from Hutchinson Junior College (Kansas), which he received in 1971.

Judge Bribiesca’s numerous memberships and affiliations include: President; Wesley E. Brown Inn of Court (2010–2011); Board of Governors of the Wichita Bar Association (2000–2002); Board of Directors, Wichita Area Girl Scout Council (1996–2004); Kansas Bar Association (1995–Present); Wichita Bar Association (1977–Present); North Wichita Optimist Club (1979– Present); Kansas Trial Lawyers Association (1991–1994); Workers’ Compensation Committee, Kansas Trial Lawyers Association (1991–1994); American Judges Association (1984–1994); Kansas Municipal Judges Association (1982–1994); Kansas Bar Association (1982–1988); Board of Directors; Maize State Bank (1986–1987); Board of Directors; Kansas Municipal Judges Association (1985–1986); Board of Directors; Midway-Kansas Chapter; American Red Cross (1978–1981).

Throughout his career, Judge Bribiesca has received various honors, including: the Judicial Red Ribbon Award (1998) (D.U.I. Victim Center of Kansas); Outstanding Young Men of America (1984); and Distinguished Honor Club President; North Wichita Optimist Club (1984).