LINCOLN – David J. A. Bargen, Adams; Jason M. Bergevin, Columbus; and Lawrence E. Welch, Jr., Plattsmouth, have submitted applications for appointment as Supreme Court Judge in the 5th Judicial District which consists of Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Fillmore, Gage, Hall, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Merrick, Nance, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Platte, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Webster, and York counties. The vacancy is due to Judge Jeffrey Funke’s appointment as Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.

The public hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission will be held at the Hamilton County Courthouse, District Court Courtroom, 1111 13th Street, Aurora, Nebraska, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The Commission will interview all applicants for the office at that time.

Any member of the public wishing to present testimony for the commission’s consideration may do so one of two ways:

1. Written testimony provided in advance:  Those wishing to present written testimony or other pertinent information may do so by mailing the information to the Commission Chair no later than December 5, 2024, at the following address: Judge John R. Freudenberg, Nebraska Supreme Court, PO Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509 or email it to ashley.jenkins@nejudicial.gov.   
2. Oral testimony offered during the hearing: Those wishing to present oral testimony may do so by attending the public hearing in the District Court Courtroom of the Hamilton County Courthouse, Aurora, Nebraska.

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-commission-supreme-court-fifth-district.

For special accommodations relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call (402) 471-3730.  For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the Nebraska Relay System, 7-1-1. AA/EOE.