Judgeship
1998 - present
Judge of the County Court, 2nd Judicial District
Cass, Otoe, & Sarpy counties
Experience
1995 - 1998
Private practice of law
Papillion, NE
1990 - 1995
Deputy Douglas County Attorney
Omaha, NE
Education
Creighton University School of Law, 1990
Juris Doctorate
Miami University, 1987
Bachelor of Science
Judicial/Law Related Professional Activities
Professional Affiliations
Nebraska State Bar Association, Member
Nebraska State Bar Foundation, Founding Member
PEOPLE Committee (Public Education Outreach Promoting Law and Equity), Chair of the media education sub-committee
Sarpy County Bar Association, Member
Omaha Bar Association, Memorial Committee, Member.
Robert M. Spire Inns of Court, Emeritus Master Judicial Member, President, 2011-2012
Nebraska Supreme Court Commissions/Committees
Commission on Guardianships and Conservatorships, Executive Committee Member
Joint Review Committee on Status of Adult Guardianships and Conservatorship Committee, Former Member
Legislative/Court Rules sub-committee, Former Chair
Nebraska County Judges Association
Executive Committee, Member
Probate sub-committee, Member
Public Education/Relations sub- committee, Member
Judicial Education sub-committee, Member
Judicial and Law Related Activities
Chief Justice’s Annual Leadership Conference for Judges, Invited Attendee
JUSTICE/DOCKET computer technology in County Court, Pilot program (probate) current participant
Expanded media coverage of the Courts, Pilot program current participant
JUSTICE/DOCKET computer technology in County Court, Pilot program (criminal and traffic) former participant
Sarpy County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, former Vice-chair
National Judicial College, former Teaching Faculty Member
Community Activities
Peter Sarpy Elementary School: Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Graduation Speaker, 2013
Nebraska High School Mock Trial Project, Performance Judge, 1998-2005 2011
U.S. Academic Decathlon, Performance Judge, 2010
National High School Mock Trial Championship, Performance Judge, 2001, 2003
Nebraska High School State Mock Trial Championship, Performance Judge, 2003
Sarpy County Explorers’ Program, Speaker, 2003
Honors and Awards
2012 The Nebraska State Bar Foundation Public Service Award:
The Nebraska State Bar Foundation bestows its public service award to a lawyer who has been, or is in the employ of local, state or federal government for outstanding service in the performance of duty.
2008 Nebraska State Bar Foundation Fellow:
Selection to become a Fellow in the Nebraska State Bar 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 Foundation.
2007 Nebraska Supreme Court Distinguished Judge for service to the community:
The highest honor given by the Chief Justice to recognize members of the judiciary for meritorious projects and exemplary accomplishments that enhance the vision of justice within Nebraska communities.
Speeches & Publications
Moderator of Workshop for Journalists, Legislative Changes and Juvenile Justice System Practices, Procedures and Programming, 2014
Featured Panelist for Metro Omaha Bench Bar Conference, "Civility in Trial Practice" 2014
New Judge Orientation Judicial Branch Education, Media and the Courts, 2010-2014
University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension Annual Meeting, guardianship and conservatorship educator training, 2013
Featured Speaker for the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s American Government class, Nebraska’s County Court Judicial System, 2013
Nebraska Clerk Magistrates’ annual meeting, Changes in Probate Law, 2013
"Nebraskans Care: Changes in Guardianship and Conservatorship Laws and Rules", feature article 2012 Nebraska Lawyer magazine; co-author
Featured Speaker for the Nebraska State Bar Association Probate Division Seminar on Guardianships and Conservatorships in Nebraska, 2012
The Robert M. Spire Inn of Court: "Ask a Judge" Forum for lawyers and law students, 2009
Featured Speaker for The Nebraska Press Association and Associated Press program: "Covering the Courts", 2009
Judge’s Seminar for Journalists: Lincoln, Kearney, Scotts Bluff and North Platte, Nebraska, 2009
Featured Speaker for Nebraska Judicial Branch Education: Impact of Cameras and Media in the Courtroom, 2008
Leadership Sarpy County: The Judicial System, 2007
Teaching faculty member at the National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada, 2002 - 2006
Event Chair for Press Education: Nuts and Bolts of Media Coverage of County Court, 2005
Host and Moderator for Sarpy County Judges and Journalists Workshop, 2005
