District Court Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf to Retire June 13, 2025
Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, Judge of the District Court for Nebraska’s Fourth Judicial District, has announced her retirement effective June 13, 2025. Retelsdorf’s retirement concludes over sixteen years of dedicated service to the citizens of Douglas County in her capacity as judge.
In her letter to Chief Justice Jeff Funke, Retelsdorf reflected on her tenure, stating, “It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Douglas County over the last sixteen years.”
Appointed to the bench in 2009, Judge Retelsdorf’s career is marked by significant contributions to the judiciary. Among her noteworthy accomplishments, she was instrumental in researching, preparing, and editing a set of uniform expanded media rules (commonly known as cameras in the courtroom). This initiative, developed alongside a small committee of judges at the request of the Nebraska Supreme Court, modernized media access.
During the awards ceremony recognizing her effort on the expanded media rules, then-Chief Justice Mike Heavican remarked, “It is widely acknowledged that the success of the project would not have been possible without Judge Retelsdorf’s attention to detail, willingness to take chances, and outstanding reputation within the legal community.”
Judge Retelsdorf also chaired the Judges’ Pandemic Bench Book Task Force at the request of the Supreme Court. Under her leadership, the task force developed a comprehensive pandemic Bench Book that would later serve as a national model for trial court judges across the country. This work helped pave the way for the Nebraska Judicial Branch to host a national summit on pandemic preparation in the spring of 2019—prior to Nebraska’s onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For her work on the Supreme Court Expanded Media rules and the Pandemic Bench Book, Judge Retelsdorf was awarded the 2017 Distinguished Judge Award, the highest judicial honor bestowed by the Nebraska Chief Justice.
Throughout her career, Judge Retelsdorf has remained actively involved in the legal community. She is a Nebraska State Bar Foundation Fellow, a recognition granted by colleagues for integrity and character. Additionally, she has served on numerous judicial committees for the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Nebraska District Judges Association. Elected to all leadership positions within the District Judges Association, she served as president in 2001 and has also served as presiding judge for the Fourth Judicial District-District Court.
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Judge Retelsdorf’s Judicial Profile