Lisa Hunzeker, who previously worked at Southeast Community College and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, has been selected to serve as both the Pawnee and Johnson County court Clerk Magistrate in Pawnee City and Tecumseh, respectively. Her official work as Clerk Magistrate begins on July 15, 2024.
“Ms. Hunzeker will be an excellent addition to Pawnee and Johnson County Courts. She brings a lot of knowledge including management and leadership skills that will be valuable in her work as a Clerk Magistrate,” according to Trial Court Services Director Sara Fowler.
County court clerk magistrates work under the general direction of the presiding county judge, supervising, assigning, and directing the work of all staff within the county court. The position carries a high level of responsibility for the people, paperwork, finances, and records of the court. Hunzeker will be responsible for ensuring the efficiency of the court’s administrative functions and for investigating and evaluating potential procedural changes.
Hunzeker will work in the 1st Judicial District with fellow clerk magistrates Sherri Ullman of Beatrice, Mandy Klipp of Fairbury, Cassondra Buethe of Auburn, Bethany Godemann of Falls City, Joshua McDougall of Wilber, and Angela Holtmeier of Hebron. Judges Linda Bauer, Jeffrey Gaertig, and Richard Smith preside over the courts and direct magistrates in the 1st District. The Judicial District includes Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, and Thayer counties.
Hunzeker replaces former Clerk Magistrate LaRita Weber who retires on July 5th after 24 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 courts created by the Constitution Nebraska's judicial system includes separate juvenile courts located in Douglas Lancaster Sarpy Countiesand a statewide Workers’ Compensation Court.