Meismer sworn in as new Dist. Court Judge

HARTINGTON — Bryan Meismer never thought he would be a judge, let alone a Nebraska District Court Judge.

Meismer was recently appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts as the new District Court Judge in Cedar, Dixon and Dakota counties, having had his first day in court Monday after being sworn in on Nov. 12.

Prior to that he was the public defender in Butler and Colfax counties.

He had held those positions for almost a decade between the two of them.

“I loved it and became a lawyer to do trial work and being a public defender put me in the court room almost every single day,” Meismer said. “I really enjoyed it even if it was difficult sometimes. I enjoyed working with the judges and the prosecutors and I learned a lot about being in a court room.”

Until a few years ago, he had never envisioned himself as putting on the judge’s robe.

“A couple of years ago, I started to think about what I might do after (my days of being a trial lawyer),” Meismer said. “Being a judge allowed me to serve and be in a courtroom while doing things from a different perspective. It seemed like the next step. So, I started heading down this road.”

At first, it didn’t look like he would become a judge and Meismer, 45, admits he had given up thoughts on it while focusing on being a good trial lawyer and family man.

He had applied for another district judge post in previous years, wasn’t chosen and felt it might not have been in his future. However here, he had positive relationships with members of the commission that chose the applicants and that gave him a positive vibe going in.

When Judge Paul Vaughn resigned from his Cedar County District court seat, Meismer did not apply for the post, having opened up a new firm in Columbus.

“When they didn’t fill the position, my wife encouraged me to apply,” Meismer said. “I apparently made a good impression with the governor and here I am.”

Meismer was pleased Gov. Pete Ricketts chose him from a list of at least half a dozen other candidates.

“I felt a lot better about it this time,” Meismer said. “I was also older, and they say when you have about 20 years of practice, you have a better shot to be chosen.”

He admits he will sometimes miss being a lawyer, but he is looking forward to being a judge.

“People laugh at my jokes a lot more,” Meismer said. “I will miss talking to lawyers more as colleagues. I will miss getting up there and making my argument.”

He does hope to bring fairness and professionalism to the new post.

“What I hope to bring is to be consistent and even keeled,” he said. “I generally like most people I encounter. I have no preconceived notions of the people I will deal with here. I want to be available and not forget what it means to be a lawyer.

“I hope to have a lot of trust from the lawyers.”

He is more than ready to go.

“I have all the feelings: I am nervous and excited,” Meismer admitted. “It will be fun.”

District Court Clerk Janet Wiechelman said Meismer is strongly considering locating his office in Cedar County. The last several District Court judges chose to have their office in Dakota County.