Committee on Equity and Fairness

Committee on Equity and Fairness

Origin/Authorization: Nebraska Supreme Court consultation minutes created the committee as a standing committee to the Access to Justice Commission, September 6, 2017.

Mission Statement: The Committee on Equity and Fairness recognizes that a person's diversity status (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, disability, English language proficiency, immigration status) can be a barrier to accessing Nebraska's courts and related programs and processes. A primary interest and focus of the Access to Justice Commission's Standing Committee on Equity and Fairness is to: Identify and address barriers to accessing the courts and related court programs, and - Continue efforts to ensure fairness in matters related to accessing court in Nebraska.

Name Title/Organization Appointment Date

Judge Stefanie Martinez, Chairperson

District Court, 2nd Judicial District

9/6/17

Judge Susan Strong District Court, 3rd Judicial District 11/10/21
Judge Ryan Carson District Court, 9th Judicial District 11/10/21
Judge Donna Taylor County Court, 7th Judicial District 9/6/17
Judge Matthew Kahler Separate Juvenile Court of Douglas County 9/6/17
Judge Daniel Fridrich Workers' Compensation Court 1/1/23
Brandie Fowler Child Support Referee, 2nd Judicial District 11/10/21
Yvonne Sosa Federal Public Defender 11/29/17
Amy Jacobsen Douglas County Attorney's Office 11/10/21
Jose Rodriguez Platte County Attorney's Office 11/10/21
Jessica Kerkhofs Lincoln City Attorney's Office 11/10/21
Korey Taylor Douglas County Public Defender's Office 11/10/21

Jamie Cooper

Attorney, Johnson & Pekny

9/6/17

Mandy Gruhlkey

Attorney, Gruhlkey Law

9/6/17

Jose J Soto Community Representative 9/6/17
Kim Etherton Pretrial Services, Director of Lancaster County Community Corrections 9/6/17

Liz Neeley

Executive Director, Nebraska State Bar Association

9/6/17

Corey Steel

State Court Administrator

9/6/17

Gene Cotter Probation Administration 11/10/21