Nebraska Supreme Court justice recommended for nomination to U.S. District Court judge
January 13, 2011
Nebraska: On Wednesday, January 12, 2011, Nebraska Supreme Court Justice John Gerrard was recommended by Democratic Senator Ben Nelson for nomination to the position of U.S. District Court judge by President Barack Obama. Gerrard was recommended specifically as the replacement for retiring Judge Richard Kopf of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. Kopf, who has been a federal District Judge on the court since 1992, and was a magistrate court judge from 1985 until that time, announced that his retirement would be effective as of December 1, 2011. Gerrard was named to the state Supreme Court, by Sen. Nelson when he was governor, in 1995 when he was 41 years old, making him the youngest appointee in Nebraska state history. On the recommendation Nelson stated that Gerrard has "the experience, the intellect and the temperament needed on our federal bench." Republican Mike Johanns also voiced his support for the recommendation saying, Gerrard is "a top-notch member of the Nebraska Supreme Court with a reputation as a disciplined judge."[1]
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Nebraska • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Nebraska
State courts:
Nebraska Supreme Court • Nebraska Court of Appeals • Nebraska District Courts • Nebraska County Courts • Nebraska Separate Juvenile Courts • Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court • Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts
State resources:
Courts in Nebraska • Nebraska judicial elections • Judicial selection in Nebraska