Chief Justice Jeff Funke and Court of Appeals Judge Riko Bishop were joined in the Nebraska Supreme Court courtroom by participants in Hall County Leadership Unlimited on March 20, 2026. The group spent an hour with the judges, who spoke about the Nebraska Judicial Branch as well as their personal journeys in the legal profession.

Chief Justice Funke began with an overview of the judiciary, focusing especially on the role of appellate courts and how they function. He reflected on his career, emphasizing the power of mentorship in his own life through his service as an attorney, county court judge, district court judge, and ultimately as a member of the Nebraska Supreme Court, and now as Chief Justice. In addition to discussing the courts, he expanded on the role of the Chief Justice as the executive head of the Nebraska Judicial Branch. The Chief Justice also highlighted Nebraska’s strong probation recidivism rates. Funke described the system as an effective and cost-efficient means of enhancing community safety.

Judge Riko Bishop discussed how she became interested in a legal career after working in private business and as an educator. Her lived experiences, she noted, have informed her passion for understanding how the law affects people and extends beyond abstract theory. She also spoke about Nebraska’s merit-based system for judicial selection and emphasized the importance of an informed electorate in judicial retention elections.

Also highlighted was the cornerstone right to trial by jury. Participants in the program shared their experiences of jury service, and the Chief Justice commended the diligence of juries he oversaw as a trial court judge. More information about the jury selection process is available on the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s website.