LINCOLN – Gov.  Jim Pillen on Friday announced Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey J. Funke as the state’s next Chief Justice, marking a “historic day,” according to Pillen.

Funke was chosen from four candidates recommended by the Judicial Nominating Commission to succeed Chief Justice Mike Heavican, who will retire on Oct. 31 after 18 years on the bench.

“Justice Funke was a group of the four people who applied for this role, all impressive, and ultimately Joe and I found Judge Funke to have all the attributes we expect of a court leader,” Pillen said.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers expressed gratitude to Judge Heavican and congratulated Judge Funke in a statement.

Hilgers: “We commend the selection of Justice Jeffrey Funke to serve as Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court and congratulate him on his appointment. He has been an esteemed public servant for many years and will provide reliable leadership for the Court in its vital duties to our State. 

 

Then-governor Pete Ricketts appointed Funke to the high court in 2016. He previously practiced law in Otoe County and was a district judge for Cass, Sarpy and Otoe counties.

Chief Justice Heavican praised Funke’s leadership, especially in managing probation and problem-solving courts.

“During that period of time, without that push from me, he has taken over in all kinds of administrative leadership kinds of things. He’s been a leader there,” Chief Justice Heavican said.

Funke graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1991 and earned his Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1994.

The Nebraska Supreme Court is composed of the Chief Justice and six associate justices, with the Chief Justice representing the state at large and each associate representing a specific judicial district.