Larkin Walsh

Larkin Walsh (born ) is an American lawyer and judge serving as a justice of the Kansas Supreme Court. Appointed by Governor Laura Kelly in August 2025, she was sworn in later that year as the court's youngest sitting justice. Before joining the bench, Walsh was a partner at Sharp Law and senior counsel at Stueve Siegel Hanson, specializing in civil rights, consumer protection, and class action litigation. Her earlier legal career included two terms on the Kansas Board of Law Examiners, as well as service as a research attorney for the Kansas Supreme Court and a law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

Early life and education Walsh was born in and is originally from the Kansas City metropolitan area. She attended Southern Methodist University, graduating in 2001 with B.A. degrees in English and studio art. She went on to earn her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2004. Walsh returned to the Kansas Supreme Court to serve a second stint as a research attorney for justice Beier from 2012 to 2013. Her biography at the firm highlighted her work advocating for survivors of forced labor, human trafficking, and sexual abuse. Governor Laura Kelly appointed her to the Kansas Supreme Court on August 7, 2025. Walsh succeeded justice Evelyn Wilson, who had resigned following a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Upon her appointment, Walsh pledged to interpret the law "irrespective of popular opinion or the political winds." Her selection drew criticism from Kansas Senate president Ty Masterson, who remarked that he hoped Walsh would "discover a judicial philosophy," noting that she had indicated during the selection process that she did not have one.

Voter registration records indicate that Walsh has held varying political affiliations over the years. She was registered as a Democrat in 2008 before switching to the Republican party in 2012. After periods of being registered as Unaffiliated and Republican between 2012 and 2018, she registered as a Republican in the fall of 2020 and maintained that affiliation through her appointment in 2025.

Walsh was informally sworn in on September 17, 2025, allowing her to commence her official duties. Her formal swearing-in ceremony took place on November 21, 2025, where she was administered the oath of office by acting chief justice Eric S. Rosen. At the time of her swearing-in, Walsh was the youngest justice on the court. Her initial term runs from September 2025 to January 2027, and she will face a retention vote after her first year in office.

As a justice, Walsh is assigned to the 4th Judicial Department, which encompasses the 6th, 10th, 11th, 14th, and 31st judicial districts. She also serves as the departmental liaison to several committees, including the Attorney Registration and the Kansas Continuing Legal Education Board.

Personal life Walsh resides in Leawood, Kansas. As of 2025, she has been married to her husband, Matt, for 20 years, and they have four children.