Nebraska District Court Judge Duane Dougherty of Omaha, Nebraska, was invited to sit with the Nebraska Supreme Court on March 1, 2022.

Dougherty heard arguments in the case of In the Matter of Black Hills Natural Gas, LLC Application P-12.32 (S21-0620). In this case, Metropolitan Utilities District [MUD] appeals from an order of the Nebraska Public Service Commission that approved an application filed by Black Hills Energy to extend its service to an Omaha Public Power site in Sarpy County. MUD filed a petition to bypass the Court of Appeals, which was granted by the Nebraska Supreme Court.

He sat in place of Justice Jonathan Papik, who was recused from the case. The Court session was held in the Supreme Court Courtroom of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.

Seven justices make up the Nebraska Supreme Court: Chief Justice Mike Heavican and six associate justices. On occasion, a justice must recuse him or herself from a case, and a judge from a district court or the Court of Appeals is asked to sit with the Supreme Court.    

Reporters:

Judicial Profile for Hon. Duane C. Dougherty

Background on the Supreme Court

Justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court

Screen shot from argument session on Nebraska Public Media:

(L to R) Justice Stephanie Stacy, Judge Duane Dougherty, Chief Justice Heavican, Justice William Cassel, Justice Jeff Funke, Justice John Freudenberg, with Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman participating via video conferencing. Arguing before the Court is attorney Mark Fahleson. Recording Court arguments is Nate Dobbs.