PEOPLE Committee
The purpose of the PEOPLE (Public Education Outreach Promoting the Law & Equity) Committee is to proactively inform and educate the public, including students, adults and members of news media, about the legal system.
Under the PEOPLE umbrella are two committees: Civics Education and Bench Media. Civics Education is chaired by Judge John Gerrard, United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska. Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke serves as the Bench Media Committee Chair.
The Bench Media Committee is committed to ensuring a professional and positive working relationship among Nebraska lawyers, courts, and the media. The committee relies on the volunteer efforts of both the legal and media professionals.
Other completed and ongoing activities include the following:
- Nebraska Court Coverage Guidelines
- Expanded news media coverage throughout the state with enhanced reporting on courts.
- Amended the Presiding Judges Rule to allow judges experienced in dealing with the media to act as go-to resources for news reporters, as designated by the presiding judge.
- Updated “News Reporters’ Guide to Nebraska Trial Court Procedures.” The resource to assist in writing news stories is available at Nebraska State Judicial Branch
- The Media Representatives created a Camera Pool Coordination Ad Hoc Committee that worked on streamlining pool coverage for high profile cases.
- General protocols have been established at pretrial motions and hearings. The protocols are reviewed on a regular basis.
- Credentialing media representatives was enhanced through the use of a rule review for everyone who requests camera credentials.
- The Committee had petitioned the Legislature to change the law to allow video conferencing to be recorded-this was necessitated by an artful wording of the original statute. As a result of the change, news reporters are allowed to come into the courtroom with still and broadcast cameras to photograph individuals who appear in court from the jail and correctional facilities.
- Reporter education sessions are offered throughout the year utilizing several partner organizations. Some sessions are stand-alone exclusively through the Foundation, some are offered through media associations, and some through institutions of higher education. The group strives to offer regular educational opportunities to reporters allowing interaction with judges.
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Uniform Court Rules and Practices – |
Media Education – |
Judges & Court Staff Education – |
|---|---|---|
| Co-chairs: Judge John Rademacher, County Court, Kearney, and Lori Pilger, Lincoln Journal Star | Co-chairs: Judge Todd Hutton - Sarpy County Court and Bill Kelly – NETV, Lincoln | Co-chairs: Judge Jeff Wightman, County Court, Lexington and Rose Ann Shannon – Retired KETV 7, Omaha |
| Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, Retired District Court, Omaha | Judge Tim Burns, District Court, Omaha | Judge Stephanie Hansen, County Court, Omaha |
| Judge Derek Weimer, District Court, Sidney | Judge Randin Roland, County Court, Sidney | Judge Gary Randall, Retired District Court, Omaha |
| Steve Gealy, Attorney, Lincoln | Judge Elise White, Juvenile Court, Lincoln | Judge Rick Schreiner, District Court, Beatrice |
| Shawn Renner, Attorney, Lincoln | Steve Guenzel, Attorney, Lincoln | Matthew Hammes, Attorney, Omaha |
| Tom Riley, Attorney, Omaha | Ron Krause, Attorney, Omaha | Sharon Kresha, Attorney, Omaha |
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Jennifer Stehlik Ladman, Attorney, Pawnee City |
Jared Callehan, Director of Communications and Public Information Officer, Nebraska Supreme Court, Lincoln | Terry Waite, Attorney, North Platte |
| Mikel Lauber, 1011 Now, Lincoln and Central Nebraska |
Doris Huffman, Executive Director, Nebraska Bar Foundation, Lincoln | Sara Gentzler, Flatwater Free Press, Omaha |
|
Dave Schroeder, KRVN, Lexington |
Dennis DeRossett, Nebraska Press Association, Lincoln | |
| Steve White, Nebraska TV, Grand Island |
Resource Members:
Judge John Gerrard, District Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, Lincoln
Judge Susan Bazis, United States Magistrate Judge
Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke, Nebraska Supreme Court, Lincoln
Justice Derek Vaughn, Nebraska Supreme Court, Lincoln
Dennis DeRossett, Ex-officio, Executive Director, Nebraska Press Association
Dave Sommers, Ex-officio, OBA Executive Director
Corey Steel, Ex-officio, Nebraska State Court Administrator
Jimm Timm, Ex-officio, President/Executive Director, Nebraska Broadcasters Association
Updated 4/20/2026
UNL students in a CoJMC pop-up class on the Nebraska courts sitting and standing by the Justices's seats in the Nebraska Supreme Court Chamber. With the students are, back row, from left, Justice Riko Bishop; Chief Justice Mike Heavican; Lori Pilger, courts reporter for the Lincoln Journal-Star; Dave Schroeder, news director KRVN Radio, Lexington; John Bender, professor, UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Front row, far left, Rose Ann Shannon, retired KETV 7, Omaha.