Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court

Bergevin was one of 3 candidates to be interviewed here 

Gov. Jim Pillen has announced his appointment of the Honorable Jason M. Bergevin of Columbus as an associate justice to the Nebraska Supreme Court representing the Fifth Judicial District. The announcement was made on Jan. 2. 
“Judge Bergevin is a dedicated jurist with extensive experience as an attorney and most recently as a district judge representing the Fifth Judicial District,” said Gov. Pillen. “I have great confidence in Judge Bergevin’s abilities, and I know he has deep respect and integrity when it comes to matters of the court. I am pleased to elevate him to this role on Nebraska’s Supreme Court.”
“I am honored to be chosen as the next judge of the Nebraska Supreme Court from the Fifth Judicial District,” said Justice Bergevin. “Three highly qualified applicants stepped forward for this position. I appreciate Governor Pillen’s confidence in me. I will work hard to continue serving the Nebraska Judicial Branch and the people of our state.”
Bergevin was the second of three candidates for the position to be interviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission on Dec. 12 in the 5th District courtroom on the third floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse. Fourteen members of the commission heard presentations and asked questions of Judge Bergevin, as well as David Bargen of Adams and Lawrence Welch, Jr. of Plattsmouth, the other two candidates. 
In his opening remarks to the commission, Bergevin mentioned his prior experience as a practicing attorney and as a Judge Advocate General officer in the U.S. Air Force. 
“I have been in the battle and I would be a supreme court justice who can remember what it was like to be a litigator,” he added. 
In answer to a question from a member of the panel regarding how he would separate his personal views from judicial decisions, Bergevin said he believes a judge should regularly be unhappy with the result of a case because it meant the law was being followed, even though it went against his own personal preferences. 
In addition to his recent role as district judge (2022), Bergevin also oversaw the opening of one of the state’s newest problem-solving courts in Platte County last summer. He was an assistant attorney general in the Nebraska Attorney General’s office for seven years where he worked with county attorneys in the prosecution of complex cases, was legal advisor to multiple state agencies and reviewed agency regulations. Bergevin also held multiple positions in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps up until 2022 and has prior experience in both the Lancaster County Attorney’s office and the Weld County District Attorney’s office in Greeley, Colo.
Bergevin holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) and earned his juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law in Massachusetts.
The Fifth Judicial District for the Nebraska Supreme Court consists of Hamilton and 24 other counties in this part of Nebraska. The vacancy was due to Judge Jeffrey Funke’s appointment as chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.