2010
Judgeship
1998 – present
Judge of the County Court, 2nd Judicial District
(Cass, Otoe, & Sarpy counties)
2000, 2001, 2004, 2005
Presiding Judge of the 2nd Judicial District, County Court
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
Continuing Judicial Education
2008, National Computer Forensics Institute – Computer Forensics in Court for Judges
2006, National Center for Court and Media – Nebraska Judges and Journalists Workshop
2005, The National Drug Court Institute – Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative Training Program
2004, American Academy of Judicial Education – Alternatives to Incarceration
2001, Nebraska Administrative Office of the Courts – Effective Management of Adult and Juvenile Sex Offenders in the Community]
2000, American Academy of Judicial Education – The Judge as Fact Finder and Decision Maker
1999, The National Judicial College – Special Court Jurisdiction Advanced Course
1999, Nebraska Supreme Court – Judicial Branch Leadership Institute of Nebraska
Judicial/Law Related Activities
Professional Affiliations
Nebraska State Bar Association
Nebraska State Bar Foundation
Sarpy County Bar Association
Judicial Advisor
Sarpy County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee,
Former Vice-Chair
Member
Sarpy County Offender Work Program, 2005
Nebraska State Bar/Local Attorney Association Committees\
President 2011-12, The Robert M. Spire Inns of Court
Founding member, NE State Bar Foundation’s PEOPLE Committee (Public Educational Outreach Promoting Law & Equity)
Founding member, Chairperson, Media Education Committee, PEOPLE Sub-committee
Founding member, Chairperson, Media Education Committee, PEOPLE Sub-committee
Nebraska Supreme Court Committees
Review Taskforce on the Status of Adult Guardianships & Conservatorships in NE Court System, 2010
Judicial advisor on JUSTICE: Developing courtroom specific computer technology tools for judges, 2007
Legislative/Court Rules Sub-Committee, chairperson, 2010
Gender Fairness Implementation Committee, member, 2005
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Sub-committee, 2002
Judicial Ethics Committee, 1999
Review Taskforce on the Status of Adult Guardianships & Conservatorships in NE Court System, 2010
Judicial advisor on JUSTICE: Developing courtroom specific computer technology tools for judges, 2007
Legislative/Court Rules Sub-Committee, chairperson, 2010
Gender Fairness Implementation Committee, member, 2005
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Sub-committee, 2002
Judicial Ethics Committee, 1999
Nebraska County Judges Association
Public Relations Committee
Legislation Committee
Judicial Education Committee
Planning Sub-Committee, 2009
Community Activities
U.S. Academic Decathlon, volunteer judge, 2010
National High School Mock Trial Championship Volunteer Judge, 2001 and 2003
National High School Mock Trial Championship Volunteer Judge, 2001 and 2003
Nebraska High School State Mock Trial Championship Judge, 2003
Nebraska High School Mock Trial Project Judge,1998-2005; 2011
Nebraska High School Mock Trial Project Judge,1998-2005; 2011
Honors and Awards
2012 The Robert M. Spire 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: is 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.
Teaching & Publishing
Co-Author, Nebraskans Care: Changes in Guardianship and Conservatorship Laws and Rules. Feature Article of the Nebraska Lawyer Magazine, 2012
Discussion Leader, 2012 PEOPLE committee: Media and the Nebraska Appellate Courts Roundtable
Speaker, New Judge Orientation Judicial Branch Education Re: Media and Courts, 2011, 2012
Speaker, Nebraska State Bar Association Probate Seminar regarding Guardianship and Conservatorship law in Nebraska, 2011
Speaker, Clerk Magistrates’ Meeting on Guardianships, 2011
Lecturer, Papillion LaVista High School Criminal Justice Academy, 2001 – 2005, 2010
Speaker, The Robert M. Spire Inn of Court: Ask the Judges Forum, 2009
Moderator, Nebraska Press Association and Associated Press session on ‘Covering the Courts’, 2009
Speaker, Sarpy County Local and County Government Session, 2009
Moderator, Media Outreach Judges’ Seminar for Journalists: Lincoln, Kearney, Scotts Bluff & North Platte, Nebraska, 2009, 2008
Panelist, The Robert M. Spire Inn of Court: Media coverage and the court system, 2008
Panelist, Nebraska Judicial Branch Education: Impact of Cameras and Media in the Courts, 2008
Speaker, Leadership Sarpy County: The judicial system, 2007
Faculty, National Judicial College, 2006 – present
Faculty, “Sentencing Motor Vehicle Offenders” course, National Judicial College, 2006
Speaker, Press Education: Nuts and Bolts of Media Coverage of County Court cases, Event Chair, 2005
Host & moderator, Judges & Journalists Workshop, Sarpy County, 2005
Facilitator, National Judicial College, Special Court Jurisdiction Advanced, 2002, 2004
Speaker, Omaha Bar Association Courts Committee: Local Rules and Procedures of the Courts, 2003
Host/Speaker, LaVista Junior High School Courts Tour, 2003
Speaker, Sarpy County Explorers Program: Guide to the Courts for Students, 2002
Speaker, Clerk Magistrates’ Meeting on Guardianships, 2011
Lecturer, Papillion LaVista High School Criminal Justice Academy, 2001 – 2005, 2010
Speaker, The Robert M. Spire Inn of Court: Ask the Judges Forum, 2009
Moderator, Nebraska Press Association and Associated Press session on ‘Covering the Courts’, 2009
Speaker, Sarpy County Local and County Government Session, 2009
Moderator, Media Outreach Judges’ Seminar for Journalists: Lincoln, Kearney, Scotts Bluff & North Platte, Nebraska, 2009, 2008
Panelist, The Robert M. Spire Inn of Court: Media coverage and the court system, 2008
Panelist, Nebraska Judicial Branch Education: Impact of Cameras and Media in the Courts, 2008
Speaker, Leadership Sarpy County: The judicial system, 2007
Faculty, National Judicial College, 2006 – present
Faculty, “Sentencing Motor Vehicle Offenders” course, National Judicial College, 2006
Speaker, Press Education: Nuts and Bolts of Media Coverage of County Court cases, Event Chair, 2005
Host & moderator, Judges & Journalists Workshop, Sarpy County, 2005
Facilitator, National Judicial College, Special Court Jurisdiction Advanced, 2002, 2004
Speaker, Omaha Bar Association Courts Committee: Local Rules and Procedures of the Courts, 2003
Host/Speaker, LaVista Junior High School Courts Tour, 2003
Speaker, Sarpy County Explorers Program: Guide to the Courts for Students, 2002