Nebraska Supreme Court
The Nebraska Supreme Court is the highest court in Nebraska. Its justices are chosen by gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission, followed by retention elections. This page lists every justice to serve on the court, current and former, with when they joined the bench and whom they succeeded.
| Justice | Since |
|---|---|
| William M. Connolly | 1994 |
| John F. Wright | 1994 |
| Michael McCormack | 1997 |
| Kenneth C. Stephan | 1997 |
| Lindsey Miller-Lerman | 1999 |
| Michael Heavican | 2006 |
| William B. Cassel | 2012 |
| Justice | Years |
|---|---|
| John V. Hendry | 1998–2006 |
| John Melvin Gerrard | 1995–2012 |
| David J. Lanphier | 1993–1996 |
| Dale E. Fahrnbruch | 1987–1996 |
| John T. Grant | 1983–1993 |
| Thomas Michael Shanahan | 1983–1993 |
| D Nick Caporale | 1982–1998 |
| William C. Hastings | 1979–1995 |
| Norman Krivosha | 1978–1987 |
| C Thomas White | 1977–1998 |
| Donald Brodkey | 1974–1982 |
| Lawrence M. Clinton | 1971–1982 |
| John E. Newton | 1967–1977 |
| Hale McCown | 1965–1983 |
| Robert L. Smith | 1964–1973 |
| Leslie Boslaugh | 1962–1994 |
| Paul W. White | 1962–1978 |
| Robert C. Brower | 1961–1967 |
| Harry A. Spencer | 1961–1978 |
| Peter E. Boslaugh | 1949–1961 |
| Elwood B. Chappell | 1943–1961 |
| Adolph E. Wenke | 1943–1961 |
| John W. Yeager | 1940–1965 |
| Harvey M. Johnsen | 1938–1940 |
| Robert G. Simmons | 1938–1963 |
| Frederick W. Messmore | 1937–1965 |
| Edward F. Carter | 1935–1971 |
| Bayard H. Paine | 1931–1949 |
| George Agler Eberly | 1925–1943 |
| William B. Rose | 1909–1943 |
How a justice reaches this court. Justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court are appointed by the governor to 6-year terms and then face yes-or-no retention elections. Missouri Plan: a judicial nominating commission sends names to the governor, who appoints; the first retention vote is three years after appointment, then every six years. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any justice to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.
Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project; selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).