Judge Gregory E. Mize, Senior Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and who has worked with the National Center for State Courts Center for Jury Studies was the keynote speaker for the 2024 meeting of the Chief Justice’s Leadership Conference, held May 10. Judge Mize shared his experiences in implementing transformational change in the courts sharing with the judges how leadership and stakeholder engagement facilitated substantial reforms in jury management.

Through personal reflection, best practices, and engaging conversation, he challenged Nebraska’s judicial leadership to identify and execute change for the betterment of judicial administration throughout the state of Nebraska. Mize noted that it is incumbent on all levels of the Judicial Branch to “find a better way, not just the way it’s always been done.”

Following his presentation, Judge Mize led a group discussion on identifying emerging issues, the importance of confronting and adapting to challenges and developing leadership through all levels of the Judicial Branch - both statewide and noting the importance of local development of leadership and role empowerment to serve throughout the state.

Those in attendance spent the rest of the day sharing and discussing the great work currently being done by commissions, committees, and associations. Judges who currently serve as chairs and presidents of the following commissions, committees, and associations also provided the Chief Justice and other members of the Supreme Court with the challenges and emerging issues facing the judicial system.

• Commission on Children in the Courts - Judge Francie Riedmann & Judge Roger Heideman
• Commission on Guardianships and Conservatorships - Judge Francie Riedmann & Judge Holly Parsley
• Dispute Resolution Advisory Council - Judge Mike Pirtle
• Technology Committee - Justice William Cassel
• Workers’ Compensation Court - Judge Dirk Block
• Committee on Problem-Solving Courts - Judge Jeffrey Funke
• Probation Services Committee - Judge Jodi Nelson
• Bench Media Committee of the PEOPLE Committee - Justice Jeffrey Funke  
• Statewide Court Security Clearinghouse Committee - Justice John Freudenberg
• Judicial Branch Education Advisory Committee - Judge Riko Bishop
• Access to Justice Commission - Justice Stephanie Stacy
  • Civil Justice Reform Work Group - Justice Jonathan Papik
  • Committee on Equity and Fairness - Judge Stefanie Martinez
  • Consortium of Tribal, State, and Federal Courts - Judge Andrea Miller
  • Self-Represented Litigation Committee - Judge Frankie Moore & Judge Rachel Daugherty
• Nebraska District Judges Association -Judge Jodi Nelson
• Nebraska Separate Juvenile Judges Association - Judge Mary M. Z. Stevens
• Nebraska County Judges Association - Judge Jeffrey Wightman

Photos: Justice William Cassel provides the Technology Committee update. Judge Mize appears via Zoom to address the Leadership Conference. Judges Holly Parsley and Roger Heideman participate in the discussion of emerging issues facing the Judicial Branch.