Nominating commission forwards chief justice applicants to Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen
LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen will have his pick of all four applicants who applied to be the next Nebraska Supreme Court chief justice, after a nominating commission advanced them all.
The specific Judicial Nominating Commission for the chief justice, which is chaired by Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, advanced state Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Funke, Sarpy County Judge PaTricia Freeman, Saline County District Judge David Bargen and Lancaster County District Judge Ryan Post.
Pillen must make an appointment from the list within 60 days, or the appointment will be made by the chief justice or acting chief justice, from the same list, per the Nebraska Constitution.
Chief Justice Mike Heavican submitted his notice of retirement in August, indicating he intended to leave the high court Oct. 31. Heavican, who was appointed to the court in 2005, is the second-longest serving justice. Miller-Lerman joined the court in 1998.
The chief justice represents the state at large, while the associate justices represent one of six specific judicial districts. Justices have a salary of $225,055.35.