Awarded to: John Friend, Douglas County District Court  

The Marjorie Schaffer Memorial Award recognizes commendable performance by a clerk of a district court. Recipients exhibit exemplary leadership, effective guidance of change, achievement of sustainable results, or strength in coaching and mentoring.

John Friend has served 16 years as Clerk of the District Court for Douglas County. Shortly after taking office, he was appointed to sit on the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Technology Committee. Friend has been pivotal in moving the Douglas County Court from their separate case system to integrate into the statewide JUSTICE case management system. He has also been instrumental in bridging the rural and metropolitan courts across the state. His vision of using technology to further the work of courts is yet another way he embodies the standards of leadership and service that this award champions.