The Nebraska Supreme Court has appointed Marla Fischer as the Director of the Office of Public Guardian. Fischer, who currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Public Guardian, has over nine years of experience with the Nebraska Judicial Branch. She will be responsible for overseeing guardian and conservator services throughout Nebraska in both urban and rural courts.
The duties of the Office of Public Guardian include responsibility for an equitable appointment process provided by the Court Visitor Program, direct service as public guardians and public conservators, maximizing resources, implementing effective financial and organizational management practices, facilitating model and best practices for services to wards and protected persons, providing education and support to all guardians and conservators in the state, and enhancing opportunities for recruitment of successor guardians/conservators in the private sector.
Fischer replaces former Director Michelle Chaffee, who retired on June 3, 2024, after 14 years of service to the court system.
The Constitution of the State of Nebraska distributes judicial power among the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district courts, and county courts. All state courts operate under the administrative direction of the Supreme Court. In addition to constitutionally created courts, Nebraska's judicial system includes separate juvenile courts located in Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties, as well as a statewide Workers’ Compensation Court.