Francie C. Riedmann, Gretna, has been appointed chief judge of the Nebraska Court of Appeals beginning September 13, 2024. She succeeds Judge Michael Pirtle who has completed his term as chief judge.

Chief Justice Heavican noted, “The Supreme Court is pleased with the appointment of Judge Francie Riedmann to serve as Chief Judge of the Nebraska Court of Appeals. Judge Riedmann has shown her leadership skills and dedication to the law throughout her tenure on the Court of Appeals and service on various Supreme Court Committees. We look forward to working with Judge Riedmann in her capacity as Chief Judge.”

The duty of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals is to regulate the caseload of the court in conjunction with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The two appellate-level court leaders regularly inform each other of the number and nature of cases in their respective courts and move cases between the two for efficient resolution. The Chief Judge has additional responsibility for administrative functions of the Court of Appeals and sets the schedule for arguments at sites throughout the state when not hearing cases in the State Capitol.

“I am honored to serve as the 7th Chief of the Nebraska Court of Appeals. My predecessors have established a great rapport with the practicing bar, the trial courts, and the Nebraska Supreme Court and have developed practices and procedures for our court to operate effectively and efficiently,” noted Riedmann. She continued, “I will strive to continue those relationships and build upon our current structure to provide timely and just resolutions for the attorneys and citizens of Nebraska who bring their cases before us.”  

Judge Riedmann currently Co-Chairs both the Nebraska Supreme Court Commission on Guardianships and Conservatorships and the Nebraska Supreme Court Commission on Children in the Courts. She is a Lifetime Fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, a member of the Litigation Counsel of America, and frequent presenter for Continuing Legal Education. She is an active participant in the Bar Foundation’s Mock Trial Competition, having served as both a judge and a team coach, and in the Bar Foundation’s Dan Jewell Institute.

Riedmann took office as Court of Appeals Judge representing the 3rd Appellate Court Judicial District in 2012. She received her Juris Doctorate summa cum laude from Creighton University School of Law in 1993.

Nebraska law specifies a two-year term for the position of Chief Judge for the Court of Appeals, although there is no limit to the number of terms that any one judge can serve. Prior Court of Appeals Chief Judges include retired judge Richard D. Sievers, now Supreme Court Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, John F. Irwin, Everett O. Inbody, Frankie J. Moore, and Michael W. Pirtle.

Members of the Court in addition to Chief Judge Riedmann are:

District 1 - Hon. Riko Bishop

District 2 - Hon. Michael W. Pirtle

District 4 - Hon. David K. Arterburn

District 5 - Hon. Lawrence E. Welch

District 6 - Hon. Frankie J. Moore

To view the upcoming arguments for the Nebraska Court of Appeals click: https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/courts/court-appeals/court-appeals-call