John M. Gerrard

• Nebraska Wesleyan University (BS)
• University of Arizona (MPA)
• University of the Pacific (JD)

John M. Gerrard
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska
Incumbent
Assumed office February 6, 2023

John Melvin Gerrard (born November 2, 1953) ^[1] is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.

Education and legal career

Gerrard graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in 1976; from the University of Arizona with a Masters in Public Administration in 1977; and from McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific with a Juris Doctor in 1981. He is a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. ^[2] Prior to joining the bench, he was in private practice in Norfolk, Nebraska from 1981 to 1995 and was city attorney for Battle Creek, Nebraska from 1982 to 1995. ^{[2] [3]}

Judicial service

Nebraska Supreme Court

In 1995, Governor Ben Nelson appointed Gerrard to the Nebraska Supreme Court. ^[3] At 41 years of age, Gerrard was the youngest ever appointee to the Nebraska Supreme Court. ^[3] He left the court in 2012 upon appointment to the federal bench.

Federal judicial service

In January 2011, then Senator Ben Nelson, recommended Gerrard to fill a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska that would be vacated later that year by Judge Richard G. Kopf. ^[3] On May 4, 2011, President Barack Obama formally nominated Gerrard to replace Kopf on the federal bench. ^{[4] [5]} The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary reported Gerrard's nomination to the Senate floor on October 13, 2011. The Senate confirmed Gerrard's nomination on January 23, 2012, by a 74–16 vote. ^[6] He received his commission on February 6, 2012. ^[2] He served as chief judge from 2018 to 2021. ^[2] Gerrard assumed senior status on February 6, 2023. ^{[2] [7]}

See also

• Nebraska Supreme Court

References

1. "Gerrard, John M. | District of Nebraska | United States District Court". www.ned.uscourts.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
2. John M. Gerrard at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges , a publication of the Federal Judicial Center .
3. Walton, Don (January 12, 2011). "Ben Nelson recommends John Gerrard as U.S. district judge". Lincoln Journal Star . Retrieved May 7, 2011.
4. The White House: Office of the Press Secretary (May 4, 2011). "President Obama Nominates Six Judges to United States District Courts". whitehouse.gov . Retrieved May 7, 2011– via National Archives.
5. The White House: Office of the Press Secretary (May 4, 2011). "Nominations Sent to the Senate". whitehouse.gov . Retrieved May 7, 2011– via National Archives.
6. "On the Nomination (Confirmation John M. Gerrard, of Nebraska, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Nebraska)". January 23, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
7. Cooper, Todd (February 7, 2022). "Nebraska judge going to senior status, paving way for Biden to appoint federal judge". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved February 7, 2022.

External links

• John M. Gerrard at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges , a publication of the Federal Judicial Center .
• John M. Gerrard at Ballotpedia
• State Judicial Branch. Legislature of Nebraska. Accessed 2011-02-01.
• Honorable John M. Gerrard. Nebraska Supreme Court. Accessed 2011-02-01.
• Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame. Phi Kappa Tau. Accessed 2011-02-01.

Legal offices
Preceded by C. Thomas White	Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court 1995–2012	Succeeded by William B. Cassel
Preceded by Richard G. Kopf	Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska 2012–2023	Succeeded by Susan M. Bazis
Preceded by Laurie Smith Camp	Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska 2018–2021	Succeeded by Robert F. Rossiter Jr.