Supreme Court Commission on Children in the Courts

    Supreme Court Commission on Children in the Courts

    Origin/Authorization:  Consultation Minutes of December 22, 2004

    Terms:  Initial appointments to be at the pleasure of the Court. Members appointed after February 21, 2008, shall be appointed to 3-year terms.

    Purpose Statement:  The commission will study and recommend appropriate steps for the judicial system to undertake to insure that the courts are as responsive as possible for children who interact with, or are directly affected by the courts.

     

    Name, City Composition Appointment Date Term Expires
    Hon. Roger Heideman, Lincoln Co-Chairperson, Separate Juvenile Judge 11-19-19 12-31-22
    Hon. Francie Riedmann, Gretna Co-Chairperson, Appellate Judge 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Hon. Michael Piccolo, North Platte
    Reappointed 11-12-15, 10-24-18    		 District Judge 10-16-13 12-31-21
    Hon. Vernon Daniels, Omaha
    Reappointed 3-18-09, 10-17-12, 11-12-15, 10-24-18    		 Separate Juvenile Judge 12-29-04 12-31-21
    Kathy Olson, Lincoln Attorney, UNL Center on Children, Families, and the Law 10-12-11 Permanent
    Hon. Lawrence D. Gendler, Papillion
    Reappointed 10-29-14, 10-18-17    		 Separate Juvenile Judge 12-29-04 12-31-20
    Corrie Kielty Director, Nebraska CASA 3-13-13 Permanent

    Hon. Gary Randall, Omaha

    Reappointed 10-18-17

    		 District Judge 10-29-14 12-31-20
    Hon. Linda Caster Senff, Aurora
    Reappointed 9-29-10, 10-16-13, 10-19-16    		 County Judge 2-21-08 12-31-19
    Dannette Smith, Lincoln Chief Exec. Officer, Health and Human Services 4-03-19 Permanent
    Juliet Summers, Omaha Policy Coordinator for Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Voices for Children in Nebraska 11-12-15 Until Permanent Director Appointed
    Tom Harmon, Omaha
    Reappointed 9-29-10, 10-16-13, 10-19-16    		 County Judge 2-21-08 12-31-19
    Mary Jo Pankoke, Lincoln Co-Director, Governor’s Task Force &
    Commission on the Protection of Children    		 12-29-04 Permanent
    Hon. Linda Porter, Lincoln
    Reappointed 3-18-09, 10-17-12, 11-12-15, 10-24-18    		 Separate Juvenile Judge 12-29-04 12-31-21
    Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, Lincoln State Senator, District 25 10-19-16 12-31-19
    Hon. Michael P. Burns
    Reappointed 10-24-18    		 County Judge 11-12-15 12-31-21
    Christine Costantakos, Omaha
    Reappointed 9-29-10, 10-16-13, 10-31-16    		 Attorney 2-21-08 12-31-19
    Hon. Patrick Runge, Winnebago
    Reappointed 3-18-09, 10-17-12, 11-12-15, 10-24-18    		 District Judge, Winnebago Tribal Court 12-29-04 12-31-21
    Liz Neeley, Lincoln Executive Director, Nebraska State Bar Association 10-29-14 Permanent
    Hon. Anne Paine, McCook
    Reappointed 10-17-12, 11-12-15, 10-24-18    		 County Judge 3-18-09 12-31-21
    Sarah Helvey, Lincoln Nebraska Appleseed 3-18-09 Permanent
    Milo Mumgaard, Lincoln Director, Legal Aid of Nebraska 11-12-15 Permanent
    Kim Hawekotte, Lincoln Director, Foster Care Review Office 3-13-13 Permanent

    Hon. Stefanie Martinez

    Reappointed 11-18-17

    		 District Judge 11-12-15 12-31-20
    Hon. Randin Roland, Sidney
    Reappointed 9-29-10, 10-16-13, 10-19-16    		 County Judge 2-21-08 12-31-19
    Elizabeth A. F. Waterman, Lexington
    Reappointed 3-18-09, 10-17-12, 11-12-15, 10-24-18    		 County Attorney, Dawson County 1-05-05 12-31-21
    Hon. Michael G. Heavican, Lincoln (ex-officio) Chief Justice, Nebraska Supreme Court 11-15-06  
    Corey Steel, Lincoln (ex-officio) State Court Administrator 5-21-15  
    Deborah Minardi, Lincoln Probation Administrator 5-15-19 Permanent

    Carole McMahon-Boies, Lincoln

    Reappointed 10-18-17

    		 Attorney Services 3-18-09 Permanent
    Marcie Bergquist, Omaha Attorney, Health and Human Services 11-19-19

    12-31-21
    Julie Rogers, Lincoln Child Welfare Inspector General 10-17-12 Permanent
    Azar Webb, Lincoln Youth Representative 10-19-16 12-31-19

    Hon. Rachel Daugherty, Aurora

    Reappointed 10-18-17

    		 District Judge 10-29-14 12-31-20
    Jeanne Brandner, Lincoln
    Reappointed 10-24-18    		 Deputy Probation Administrator for Juvenile Services 6-22-16 12-31-21
    Matthew Blomstedt, Lincoln Nebraska Commissioner of Education 5-2-17 Permanent
    J. Leef, Sidney Attorney 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Karen Hicks, Omaha Attorney 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Dr. Kirk Newring, Papillion Psychologist 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Mandi Amy, Kearney Deputy County Attorney 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Martin Klein, Norfolk Attorney 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Tana Fye, Holdrege Attorney, Guardian ad Litem 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Sen. Tony Vargas, Omaha State Senator, District 7 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Matt Wallen, Lincoln Director, Children and Family Services, Health and Human Services 10-18-17 12-31-20
    Misty Frazier, Bloomfield ICWA Coalition, Executive Director 10-24-18 12-31-21
    Chris Turner, Lincoln Chief Deputy County Attorney, Lancaster County 10-24-18 12-31-21
    Monica Kruger, Omaha Attorney 10-24-18 12-31-21
    Ivy Svoboda, Omaha Executive Director, Nebraska Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers 10-24-18 12-31-21

    Note: members without a term expiration are permanent.