Seven Submit their Names for District Court Judge in the Fourth Judicial District

Seven Submit their Names for District Court Judge in the Fourth Judicial District

LINCOLN – Elizabeth A. Beninato, Grant A. Forsberg, Michael W. Jensen, Joseph J. Kehm, Ryan M. Lindberg, Patrick R. Runge, and Ryan J. Wiesen, all of Omaha, have submitted applications for appointment as District Court Judge in the 4th Judicial District which consists of Douglas County. The vacancy is due to Judge W. Russell Bowie III’s retirement.

The public hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission will be held at the Douglas County Courthouse, Courtroom #316, 1701 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska, beginning at 10:00 a.m. CST on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The Commission will interview all applicants for the office at that time.

Any member of the public wishing to present his or her views concerning any candidate for the judicial vacancy may do so by:

  1. Written public testimony, signed and clearly labeled as such, should be mailed to the Commission Chair no later than February 20, 2025, at the following address: Chief Justice Jeffrey J. Funke, Nebraska Supreme Court, PO Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509 or emailed to jackie.hladik@nejudicial.gov.   
  2. Oral public testimony may be presented during the public hearing in Courtroom #316 of the Douglas County Courthouse, Omaha, Nebraska.

Additional written information, including letters of recommendation, may be submitted to the commission at any time prior to its selection of qualified candidates to fill the vacancy, which may occur immediately after the public hearing. Such information should be mailed to the commission chair or emailed to jackie.hladik@nejudicial.gov and all such information shall be deemed confidential communications to the commission.

A listing of the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission can be found on the Nebraska Judicial Branch Web site at https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/administration/committees-commissions/judicial-nominating-commissions/judicial-nominating-commission-fourth-district-district-court

For special accommodations relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Amy Prenda, ADA Coordinator, at (402) 471-3730 or email admin.adacoordinator@nejudicial.gov.