Judgeship

2019-present
Judge of the Separate Juvenile Court, Douglas County

Experience

2008-2019
Partner, Carlson & Burnett LLP
Omaha, NE

2000-2001
Deputy Sarpy County Attorney
Papillion, NE 

1999
Special Prosecutor, Douglas County
Omaha, NE 

1988-1997
Deputy Sarpy County Attorney
Papillion, NE

Education

Creighton University School of Law, 1988
Juris Doctorate

University of Nebraska at Kearney, 1983
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with emphasis in Juvenile Delinquency, Minor in Spanish

Judicial/Law Related Professional Activities

Professional Affiliations
Nebraska State Bar Association

Law Related Activities
Participated in the creation of S.A.F.E.P.O.L.l.C.Y., School Administrators for Effective Police, Prosecution, Probation Operations Leading to Improved Children and Youth Services Committee, Sarpy County

Participated in drafting LB 1184 to establish structure, responsibilities and protocols for Child Abuse and Neglect Investigative and Treatment Teams throughout the State of Nebraska; see Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-728 (2014)

Created and supervised the first law enforcement and Child Protective Services multi­disciplinary investigation team in Nebraska, in cooperation with Sarpy County law enforcement agencies, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and Child Protective Services, with the goal of reducing the number of law enforcement interviews for child victims of abuse, neglect and sexual abuse to reduce trauma for child victims

Community Activities

Board of Directors, Release Inc., Omaha, Nebraska, 2018 to 2019

Board of Directors, Rejuvenating Women, Omaha, Nebraska, 2017 to 2019

Board of Directors, The Omaha Home for Boys, Omaha, Nebraska; Executive Committee, Chairman of Program Committee, Engagement Committee, Programming Advisor, 2012 to 2018

Board of Directors, Nebraska Guardian ad Litem Project, Omaha, Nebraska; Secretary, 2015 to 2019 

Board of Directors, The Gathering Place Church, Valley, Nebraska, 2015 to 2019

Westside Church, Omaha, Nebraska; Personnel Committee and Youth Leader, 2007 to 2014 

Board of Directors, Youth Emergency Services, Omaha, Nebraska, 1993 to 1997

Metropolitan Child Abuse Coalition, Omaha, Nebraska; Vice President, 1996 to 1997

High School Mock Trial Coach, Papillion/La Vista High School, Nebraska, 1993 to 1997

High School Mock Trial Presiding Judge and Performance Judge, Nebraska, 1997 to 2019

Heartland German Shepherd Rescue, Omaha, Nebraska, 2015 to 2019

Honors and Awards

Nebraska State Bar Foundation Fellow:
Honor is based on integrity and character. Recognition is for those accredited as leaders who contribute to charitable and community education works of the Foundation and dedicated to the improvement of the administration of justice.  

Revised July 2024