Jennifer L. Jones is a native of Wichita, Kansas. After graduating from Southeast High School, she attended college at Emporia State University and The University of Missouri-Columbia where, in 1982 she obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work. While attending college, she was a member of the Legion of Black Collegians; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Order of Omega Greek Honor Society; Dean’s Honor Roll; and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities 1982.
Judge Jones received her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Oklahoma in May 1985. In addition to her law school studies, she served as President of the Black Law Students Association; participated in the Fredrick Douglass Moot Court Competition, where she was selected regional and national “Best Advocate” in 1984; was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity and the Organization for the Advancement of Women in Law. In April 1985 the Association of Black Personnel and Black Student Services of the University of Oklahoma named Judge Jones “Outstanding Student” on the Norman campus. She was honored during her graduation exercises at the University of Oklahoma College of Law as the recipient of the “Student Bar Association Prize,” an award given to a member of the graduating class whom the students feel has contributed most to the student body during his or her law school career.
After graduating from law school, Judge Jones began her career in the office of the District Attorney in Muskogee, Oklahoma. While in this position, she actively prosecuted all types of cases and later developed a specialty in prosecuting sex offenses, child abuse, and juvenile cases.
In May 1988, she returned to Wichita and became associated with the law firm of Bruce and Davis, becoming a partner in January 1992. She maintained an active general practice in the areas of commercial, juvenile, family, bankruptcy, and probate law.
In 1992 she successfully ran for the position of Sedgwick County District Court Judge, becoming the first African American woman judge in Kansas.
While serving in the District Court, Judge Jones maintained an assignment in the Juvenile Division. During her tenure in this court she served on numerous local, state and national committees focused on reform efforts to improve the administration of justice to children and their families.
In January 2001, Judge Jones began her current position in the municipal court for the City of Wichita, Kansas where she hears criminal matters.
In addition to meeting the demands of Kansas’ largest court, Judge Jones still finds time to give back to the community. She serves on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sedgwick County, and the YWCA. She is also a member of the Community Development Board for the YMCA and the Wichita Chapter of Links, Inc. She maintains memberships in the Kansas and Wichita Bar Associations and the Wichita Women Attorneys Association. Judge Jones was recently selected by the Supreme Court to serve as a member of the Commission on Judicial Qualifications and the commission that reviews ethical violations of judges throughout the state of Kansas.
Judge Jones is a wife and mother of two sons and is actively involved in her church family as well.
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