Lawyers give approval marks to state’s judges

LINCOLN – The Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) released results of its 2024 Judicial Performance Evaluation. Lawyers responding to the poll recommend that 99 percent of the 142 judges evaluated be retained on the bench. Fifty-four percent of the judges evaluated were given a 90 percent or higher retention approval. Thirty-two percent of the judges received an 80-89 percent retention approval, and eight percent of the judges received an 70-79 percent retention approval.

The NSBA first used the Judicial Evaluation Poll in 1984. It is conducted biennially.

“The poll provides an important way to provide feedback to the judiciary and to help the public better understand Nebraska’s merit system for the selection and retention of judges by providing information useful in making an informed decision about judges standing for retention,” said Tricia Freeman, President of the NSBA.

An electronic survey was sent to 5,307 active NSBA members residing in Nebraska, and Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Iowa and Yankton, S.D. Attorneys were instructed to evaluate only judges with whom they had recent, firsthand professional experience.