Gov. Heineman Appoints William Wright of Kearney
to Ninth Judicial District Judgeship

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced his appointment of William Wright to serve as a district court judge for the Ninth Judicial District, which includes Hall and Buffalo Counties. Although Judge Wright will be headquartered in Buffalo County, Gov. Heineman expects Wright will spend approximately 65% of his time in Buffalo County and 35% of his time in Hall County.

“Mr. Wright’s extensive legal career lends valuable experience to his new role as District Court Judge,” Gov. Heineman said. “I am confident that he will serve the counties of Hall and Buffalo very well as he spends his time working with the people in this district.”

For 21 years, Wright, 57, has been a partner at Jacobsen, Orr, Nelson, Wright & Lindstrom law office in Kearney, with experience in defense litigation and tort claims ranging from general and automobile negligence to premises and products liability. His work also focused on defense of employers, political subdivisions, governmental entities, police officers, and alleged violators of fair employment laws. From 1978 to 1986, Wright was a partner at Parker, Grossart, Bahensky & Wright in Kearney.

Wright is an active member of the Nebraska Bar Commission, having been appointed by the Nebraska Supreme Court in 2001. He is a member of the American Bar Association.

Wright said, “I feel very fortunate to be chosen for this position. The Governor could not have made a bad decision. All four candidates were highly qualified and I was honored simply to be among them.”

Wright graduated from the University of Iowa in 1970 and entered the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer. He served four years. He received his law degree in 1977 from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln College of Law.

Wright has been a volunteer for several community groups including Habitat for Humanity, the Knights of Columbus, Saint James Chapter of Kearney, and the Kearney Literacy Council. He is also a former board member for the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation Board and the Kearney Catholic High School Activities Association.