LINCOLN – The Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) today released results of its 2024 Judicial Performance Evaluation. Lawyers responding to the poll recommend that 99% of the 142 judges evaluated be retained on the bench. Fifty-four percent of the judges evaluated were given a 90% or higher retention approval. Thirty-two percent of the judges received an 80-89% retention approval, and eight percent of the judges received an 70-79% 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 Hon. Tricia Freeman, President of the NSBA.
An electronic survey was sent to 5,307 active NSBA members residing in Nebraska, Council Bluffs and Sioux City, Iowa and Yankton, South Dakota. Attorneys were instructed to evaluate only judges with whom they had recent, firsthand professional experience; or in the case of appeals court judges, with whose written opinions they were familiar. Ultimately, 1,022 members completed the evaluation. The American Bar Association Center for Bar Leadership, in Chicago, compiled the results. The results may be viewed at http://www.nebar.com/Page/JPEResults
