Francie C. Riedmann of Gretna has been appointed chief judge of the Nebraska Court of Appeals, effective September 13, 2024. She succeeds Judge Michael Pirtle, who has completed his term as chief judge.
Chief Justice Heavican remarked, “The Supreme Court is pleased with the appointment of Judge Francie Riedmann to serve as Chief Judge of the Nebraska Court of Appeals. Judge Riedmann has shown her leadership skills and dedication to the law throughout her tenure on the Court of Appeals and service on various Supreme Court Committees. We look forward to working with Judge Riedmann in her capacity as Chief Judge.”
The duty of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals involves regulating the caseload in conjunction with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The two appellate-level court leaders regularly inform each other about their respective cases and move them between courts for efficient resolution. Additionally, the Chief Judge handles administrative functions and sets schedules for arguments across various state sites when not hearing cases at the State Capitol.
“I am honored to serve as the 7th Chief of the Nebraska Court of Appeals. My predecessors have established a great rapport with the practicing bar, trial courts, and Nebraska Supreme Court and have developed practices and procedures for our court to operate effectively and efficiently,” noted Riedmann. She continued, “I will strive to continue those relationships and build upon our current structure to provide timely and just resolutions for attorneys and citizens who bring their cases before us.”
Judge Riedmann currently co-chairs both the Nebraska Supreme Court Commission on Guardianships and Conservatorships and the Nebraska Supreme Court Commission on Children in Courts. She is a Lifetime Fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, a member of Litigation Counsel of America, and a frequent presenter for Continuing Legal Education. She actively participates in Bar Foundation’s Mock Trial Competition as both a judge and team coach, along with involvement in Bar Foundation’s Dan Jewell Institute.
Riedmann took office as a Court of Appeals judge representing the 3rd Appellate Judicial District in 2012. She received her Juris Doctorate summa cum laude from Creighton University School of Law in 1993.
Nebraska law specifies a two-year term for this position; however, there is no limit on terms served by any one judge. Prior chief judges include retired judge Richard D. Sievers, now Supreme Court Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, John F. Irwin, Everett O. Inbody, Frankie J. Moore, and Michael W. Pirtle.
Members serving alongside Chief Judge Riedmann are:
District 1 - Honorable Riko Bishop
District 2 - Honorable Michael W. Pirtle
District 4 - Honorable David K. Arterburn
District 5 - Honorable Lawrence E. Welch
District 6 - Honorable Frankie J. Moore
To view upcoming arguments for the Nebraska Court of Appeals visit: https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/courts/court-appeals/court-appeals-call
The Constitution distributes judicial power among several courts including district courts and county courts under administrative direction from the Supreme Court while also incorporating separate juvenile courts in Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy Counties along with Workers’ Compensation Courts statewide.