--- title: "Michael Heavican | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-heavican-5017" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael Heavican 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, 2006-present - Michael G. Heavican is an American jurist who held the role of the 31st Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court from October 2, 2006, until his retirement on October 31, 2024 - Appointed by Governor Dave Heineman in 2006 to replace John V. Hendry, Heavican became the second-longest serving Chief Justice in Nebraska history - Governor Dave Heineman appointed him chief justice in 2006 to succeed John Hendry - Lancaster County attorney (1981–1991), assistant US attorney (1991–2001), and US attorney for Nebraska after appointment by President George W. Bush in 2001. - His career encompassed deputy Lancaster County attorney (1975–1980) - His judicial leadership included child-focused justice initiatives, visits to Nebraska courthouses, and court rule modernization ### Education - University of Nebraska College of Law in — J.D. (1974) - a University of Nebraska JD in 1974. - His academic qualifications include a University of Nebraska–Lincoln BA in 1969 - University of Nebraska system - University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law ### Additional information - His farewell ceremony in October 2024 was attended by Nebraska’s top officials, including Governor Jim Pillen and former Governor Pete Ricketts. - He has been recognized with honors such as the Robert M. Spire Award (2018) and induction into the Warren Burger Society (2021) - Heavican grew up in a farming family in Colfax County, Nebraska, and graduated from Schuyler Community High School in 1965. - Born August 4, 1947, Columbus, Nebraska. - Date of birth: 1947-08-04 - Initiatives: Through the Eyes of the Child juvenile justice program, Access to Justice Commission, Veterans and Reentry Courts, Family Treatment Courts - Birth place: Columbus ## 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/5017/michael-heavican/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5017/michael-heavican/) - [Nebraska Supreme Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5017/michael-heavican/) - [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/5017/michael-heavican/) - [Wikidata: Michael Heavican](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16115334) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-heavican-5017", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-heavican-5017", "name": "Michael Heavican | KnowJudges", "description": "Michael Heavican, Nebraska Supreme Court. 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