--- title: "Michael McCormack | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-mccormack-5021" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Michael McCormack 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, 1997-present - Michael McCormack (July 20, 1939 – May 9, 2022) was a retired justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, serving from 1997 until his retirement in 2016 - Appointed March 19, 1997 by Governor Ben Nelson, McCormack held the role of a justice for District 4 - From 1963 to 1966, McCormack held the role of Assistant Public Defender in Douglas County, Nebraska - His early career encompassed Douglas County assistant public defender work (1963–1966), followed by private practice in Omaha before judicial appointment. ### Education - McCormack graduated from Creighton Preparatory School in 1957 and from Creighton University School of Law in 1963, earning his J.D - Creighton University — B.A. ### Additional information - The overview reports his death in 2022. - Retired January 1, 2016 - He was retained by Nebraska voters in nonpartisan retention elections in 2000 (75% approval), 2006 (75% approval), and 2012 (70% approval), reflecting sustained public confidence. - Practitioner, 1996-1996 - Date of birth: 1939-07-30 - Governor Ben Nelson appointed him to the District 4 seat. - He then practiced law in private capacity, including in his family’s firm, McCormack, Cooney, Mooney, and Hillman, until his appointment to the Supreme Court - His career was marked by steady service, public trust, and contributions to Nebraska’s legal system without notable controversies - His family had strong ties to the legal profession, with his father and uncle practicing law in Omaha. ## 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/5021/michael-mccormack/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5021/michael-mccormack/) - [Nebraska Supreme Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5021/michael-mccormack/) - [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/5021/michael-mccormack/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-mccormack-5021", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-mccormack-5021", "name": "Michael McCormack | KnowJudges", "description": "Michael McCormack, Nebraska Supreme Court. 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