Judgeship    

2017 - present
County Court Judge, 9th Judicial District
Buffalo and Hall counties

2018, 2019, 2023
Presiding Judge, 9th Judicial District

Experience

2009 - 2017
Lawyer
Shamberg, Wolf, McDermott & Depue

2006 - 2009
Criminal Law, Drug Court Supervisor
District Attorney's Office, Augusta, GA

2005 - 2006
Railroad Defense of Amtrak and CSX
Melkus, Fleming & Gutierrez
Tampa, Florida

2004 - 2005
Insurance Defense of Law Enforcement Agencies & Officers
Walsh & Makholm
St. Petersburg, Florida

2002 - 2004
Criminal Lawyer
Pinellas County (Florida) Public Defender's Office

1998 - 2002
Criminal Lawyer
Polk County (Florida) State Attorney's Office

Education

University of Florida College of Law, 1998
Juris Doctor

University of Dayton, 1995
Bachelor of Arts in History
magna cum laude

Judicial/Law Related Activities

Nebraska County Judges Association
Executive Committee, 2022-present

Nebraska Bar Association Leadership Academy
Strengthening Families Act Committee Court Implementation Subcommittee
Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative Collaborative Committee
Nebraska Resource Project For Vulnerable Young Children Advisory Board 
Commission for the Protection of Children

Bar Admissions:

• All Nebraska State Courts
• All Georgia State Courts (inactive)
• Georgia Court of Appeals (inactive)
• Georgia Supreme Court (inactive)
• All Florida State Courts (inactive)

Bar Memberships

• Hall County Bar Association, 2009 - present
• Augusta Bar Association, 2006 - 2009; Law Day Committee, 2008, 2009
• St. Petersburg Bar Association, 2002 - 2005
• Clearwater Bar Association, 2002 - 2004
• Wilson American Inn of Court, 2000 - 2002

Community Involvement

Third City Community Clinic Board
Hope Harbor Board
Diocesan Review Board
Youth Soccer Coach
Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Connector
Assistant with Goldilocks Trials for Third Graders in Hall County
Leadership Tomorrow (Hall County)

Honors and Awards

2024 Distinguished Judge Award – Service to the Community & Improvement to Community Relations

2024 Judicial Branch Awards – Outstanding Team – Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative Hall County Team

Nebraska State Bar Foundation Fellow (2022): 
Selection to become a Fellow in the Nebraska State Bar Association Foundation is based on the integrity and character of the lawyer/judge.  The Foundation recognizes established legal professionals who are dedicated to improving the administration of justice.  Fellows are accredited by colleagues as leaders of the legal profession who contribute to the charitable and community education works of the Foundation.

Revised November 2024