---
title: "John F. Wright | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-f-wright-5035"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# John F. Wright

Nebraska Supreme Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Nebraska Supreme Court
- State: Nebraska
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Nebraska Supreme Court, 1994-present
- John F. Wright (December 24, 1945 – March 18, 2018) was an American jurist who held the role of a justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court from 1994 until his death, known for his clear judicial writing, judicial restraint, and significant contributions to Nebraska law
- In 1994, Wright was elevated to the Nebraska Supreme Court by Governor Nelson, becoming the third longest‐serving justice in the court’s history
- Legacy: Justice Wright’s career reflected a blend of legal scholarship, public service, and a dedication to making the law understandable to the public, leaving a lasting mark on Nebraska’s judicial landscape

### Education

- Both his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1970
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law

### Additional information

- He died in March 2018, and Nebraska’s Supreme Court held a memorial session later that year.
- John F. Wright served on the Nebraska Supreme Court in 1994–2018 following appointment by Governor Ben Nelson.
- Served in the Nebraska National Guard in 1970–1976, practiced privately in 1970–1991, and served on the Court of Appeals in 1991–1994.
- Practitioner, 1993-1993
- Date of birth: 1945-12-24
- Wright was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, into a family with deep legal roots — his father, Floyd Wright, ran a long‐established law firm in the town.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media requests

Scope: statewide

Nebraska directs media requests to broadcast or photograph court proceedings to the Supreme Court media-coverage rules and published expanded-media-coverage process.

Evidence excerpt: Media requests to broadcast or take still photos of court proceedings are governed by Nebraska Supreme Court rule §2-118

[Media Information and Court Coverage Protocol](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/rules/administrative-policies-schedules/media)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### non public areas

Scope: statewide

Nebraska requires media requests to film or photograph non-public courthouse areas to be submitted to the resident or presiding judge of the Judicial District.

Evidence excerpt: Media requests to film or photograph in non-public areas, e.g. private offices or employee work areas not located in public areas must be submitted

[Media Information and Court Coverage Protocol](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/rules/administrative-policies-schedules/media)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### trial court expanded coverage

Scope: statewide

Nebraska permits expanded news media coverage in county and district courtrooms unless the trial-court expanded-coverage rules provide otherwise.

Evidence excerpt: Expanded news media coverage shall be permitted in the county and district courtrooms in Nebraska courts

[§ 6-2001. Scope; limitations.](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-6-trial-courts/article-20-rules-expanded-news-media-coverage-nebraska-trial-courts/%C2%A7-6-2001-scope-limitations)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### juvenile court coverage

Scope: statewide

Nebraska does not permit expanded news media coverage in actions pending in Nebraska juvenile courts.

Evidence excerpt: Expanded news media coverage therefore is not permitted in actions pending in Nebraska’s juvenile courts.

[§ 6-2001. Scope; limitations.](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-6-trial-courts/article-20-rules-expanded-news-media-coverage-nebraska-trial-courts/%C2%A7-6-2001-scope-limitations)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### appellate media coverage

Scope: statewide

Nebraska permits broadcasting, televising, recording, and photographing in Supreme Court and Court of Appeals courtroom proceedings under Rule 2-117, subject to stated conditions.

Evidence excerpt: broadcasting, televising, recording, and photographing will be permitted in all judicial proceedings in the courtroom during sessions

[§ 2-117. Media coverage of proceedings before the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Nebraska Court of Appeals.](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-2-appeals/article-1-nebraska-court-rules-appellate-practice/%C2%A7-2-117-media-coverage-proceedings-nebraska-supreme-court-and-nebraska-court-appeals)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### appellate equipment

Scope: statewide

Nebraska appellate media equipment quantity and type are subject to Chief Justice discretion, and equipment location is designated by the Chief Justice or Chief Judge.

Evidence excerpt: The quantity and types of equipment permitted in the courtroom shall be subject to the discretion of the Chief Justice

[§ 2-117. Media coverage of proceedings before the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Nebraska Court of Appeals.](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-2-appeals/article-1-nebraska-court-rules-appellate-practice/%C2%A7-2-117-media-coverage-proceedings-nebraska-supreme-court-and-nebraska-court-appeals)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5035/john-f-wright/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5035/john-f-wright/)
- [Nebraska Supreme Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5035/john-f-wright/)
- [Media Information and Court Coverage Protocol](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/rules/administrative-policies-schedules/media)
- [§ 6-2001. Scope; limitations.](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-6-trial-courts/article-20-rules-expanded-news-media-coverage-nebraska-trial-courts/%C2%A7-6-2001-scope-limitations)
- [§ 2-117. Media coverage of proceedings before the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Nebraska Court of Appeals.](https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/supreme-court-rules/chapter-2-appeals/article-1-nebraska-court-rules-appellate-practice/%C2%A7-2-117-media-coverage-proceedings-nebraska-supreme-court-and-nebraska-court-appeals)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5035/john-f-wright/)
- [Eulogy of Supreme Court Justice John F. Wright by Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican - funeral service March 22, 2018 | Nebraska Judicial Branch](https://nebraskajudicial.gov/administration/news/eulogy-supreme-court-justice-john-f-wright-chief-justice-michael-g-heavican-funeral-service-march-22)
- [Wikidata: John F. Wright](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16107177)
- [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Wright)
- [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Wright_%28Nebraska%29)
- [nebraskajudicial.gov](https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/Courts/ceremonial/Memoriam_Wright_booklet.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5035/john-f-wright/)
- [Eulogy of Supreme Court Justice John F. Wright by Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican - funeral service March 22, 2018 | Nebraska Judicial Branch](https://nebraskajudicial.gov/administration/news/eulogy-supreme-court-justice-john-f-wright-chief-justice-michael-g-heavican-funeral-service-march-22)
- [Wikidata: John F. Wright](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16107177)

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