Federal Judicial Service
Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
Nominated by William J. Clinton on January 7, 1997, to a seat vacated by Lyle E. Strom. Confirmed by the Senate on September 11, 1997, and received commission on September 18, 1997. Served as chief judge, 2004-2011. Assumed senior status, October 3, 2014.
Education
Creighton University, B.A., 1971
Creighton University School of Law, J.D., 1974
Professional Career
Deputy public defender, Douglas County, Nebraska, 1974-1980
Private practice, Omaha, Nebraska, 1980-1997
Memberships
Nebraska State Bar Association (president, 2016-present; House of Delegates, 1984-present; House of Delegates chair, 1992-1993; budget committee chair, 2003-2005, 2014-2016)
Judicial Conference Committee on the Budget, 2009-present
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Omaha Bar Association
Former Memberships
Nebraska Judicial Resources Commission, 1986-1991
Nebraska Continuing Legal Education (board of directors), 1992-1993
Administrative Office of the Courts (budget and finance advisory committee), 2001-2005
Administrative Office of the Courts (District Court CM/ECF Project Working Group) 2003-2004
Securities and Facilities Committee, 2001-2005
Space and Facilities Committee, 2005-2009, (chair, 2006-2009)
Federal Judges Association (board of directors)
Military
403rd Military Police POW Camp, Enclosure Commander, U.S. Army Reserve, 1976-1978
119th Judge Advocate General Det. Defense Counsel, U.S. Army Reserve, 1978-1986
Archive
Investiture (November 10, 1997)
Recipient of the Nebraska State Bar Association’s 2025 George H. Turner Award
Judge Joseph Bataillon, District of Nebraska - 8th Circuit Oral History, 2022(link is external)