NORTH PLATTE — Kortnei N. Smith, a 2006 graduate of North Platte St. Patrick’s High School and current deputy Lincoln County Attorney, has been appointed as a county court judge in Nebraska’s 11th Judicial District.Gov. Jim Pillen announced the appointment Tuesday.
Smith was chosen from a group of finalists recommended in early June by a nominating committee composed largely of residents from Lincoln and Dawson counties.Smith has served as a deputy county attorney since 2016, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as juvenile matters and mental health board hearings. Prior to her public service, she worked as an associate attorney at Waite, McWha and Heng in North Platte.Following her graduation from St. Pat’s in 2008 Smith earned a degree in political science from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2012. She then attended Creighton University School of Law, receiving her Juris Doctor in 2015.
She will fill the vacancy left by Judge Edward D. Steenburg, who retired after two decades of service and regularly presided over Keith County Court.The 11th Judicial District spans much of southwest and west-central Nebraska, including Lincoln, Keith, Arthur, Chase, Dawson, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Red Willow, and Thomas counties.Smith is expected to begin her new judicial role later this year.