Michael Heavican

Michael G. Heavican (born August 4, 1947)^[1] is an American lawyer who served as the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Nebraska from 2006 to 2024.

Michael Heavican
Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court
In office October 2, 2006 – October 31, 2024
Appointed by	Dave Heineman
Preceded by	John V. Hendry
Succeeded by	Jeffrey J. Funke
United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska
In office 2001–2006
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Thomas Monaghan
Succeeded by	Joe Stecher
Personal details
Born	(1947-08-04) August 4, 1947 (age 77) Columbus, Nebraska, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Nebraska–Lincoln (BA, JD)

Early life and education

Heavican was born on August 4, 1947, in Columbus, Nebraska.^[2] Heavican received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska in 1969, and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Law in 1974.

Career

Heavican's experience prior to joining the bench was exclusively as a state and then federal prosecutor. From 1975 to 1980, he was a Deputy Lancaster County Attorney. He became Chief Deputy Lancaster County Attorney in 1981, and then served as the Lancaster County Attorney from 1981 to 1991. He ran for Attorney General of Nebraska in 1990, but lost the Republican primary to Don Stenberg. In 1991, Heavican left state service to become an assistant United States attorney for the District of Nebraska. After ten years with that office, he was appointed by newly elected President George W. Bush to be the United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska in 2001, a position he held until becoming Chief Justice of Nebraska.^[3][4]

Nebraska Supreme Court

Heavican was appointed as chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court on October 2, 2006, by Governor Dave Heineman.^[5] Heavican retired on October 31, 2024.^[6]

References

1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-22. Retrieved 2011-02-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. "Nebraska Blue Book" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
3. "PN953 - Nomination of Michael G. Heavican for Department of Justice, 107th Congress (2001-2002)". www.congress.gov. September 14, 2001.
4. "PN475 - Nomination of Joe W. Stecher for Department of Justice, 110th Congress (2007-2008)". www.congress.gov. August 1, 2007.
5. Walton, Don (September 20, 2006). "U.S. attorney Mike Heavican new Chief Justice". Lincoln Journal Star. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
6. "Chief Justice Mike Heavican to Retire Late October" (Press release). State of Nebraska Judicial Branch. August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.

External links

• "Nebraska Judicial Branch". Supreme Court Justices Michael G. Heavican. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

Legal offices
Preceded by Thomas Monaghan	United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska 2001–2006	Succeeded by Joe Stecher
Preceded by John V. Hendry	Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court 2006–2024	Succeeded by Jeffrey J. Funke