Nebraska District Court Judge J. Michael Coffey of Omaha, Nebraska, was invited to sit with the Nebraska Supreme Court on March 31, 2022.

Coffey heard arguments in the case of Elbert v. Young (S21-0211). In this appeal, Mark D. Elbert alleges that Appellees portrayed him in a false light, libeled him, sought revocation of his law enforcement license, and attempted to interfere with his prospective employment. 

He sat in place of Justice Jonathan Papik, who was recused from the case. Chief Justice Michael Heavican was also recused. The Court session was held in the Supreme Court Courtroom of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.

Seven justices make up the Nebraska Supreme Court: Chief Justice Mike Heavican and six associate justices. On occasion, a justice must recuse him or herself from a case, and a judge from a district court or the Court of Appeals is asked to sit with the Supreme Court.    

The March 31, 2022, oral arguments can be viewed on the Court’s archive.

Reporters:

• Judicial Profile for Judge Michael Coffey
• Background on the Supreme Court
• Justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court

Screen shot from argument session on Nebraska Public Media:

(L to R) Judge Michael Coffey, Justice Stephanie Stacy, Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, Justice William Cassel, Justice Jeff Funke, and Justice John Freudenberg. Arguing before the Court is attorney Nathan Clark. Recording Court arguments is Nate Dobbs.