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Shall Judge Michael W. Pirtle of the Nebraska Court of Appeals be retained in office?

Nebraska Supreme Court Judicial District 2
Retention race

What does this office do?

  • Hearing appeals of civil and criminal cases from trial courts in the district
  • Deciding whether the trial court followed the law, usually in three-judge panels
  • Writing opinions that guide lower courts in the district

Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Gun Control,

Michael W. Pirtle

Nonpartisan · Incumbent

Michael W. Pirtle has been a judge on the Nebraska Court of Appeals since 2011 and was its chief judge from 2020 to 2024. Before that he practiced law in Omaha for more than 30 years, including as a senior staff lawyer for American Family Insurance.

Track record

Track record — General

General · 7 records

  • Served as a Nebraska Court of Appeals judge since 2011 and as the court's chief judge from 2020 to 2024. Before that he practiced civil law in Omaha for three decades, including as a director at Gross & Welch and a senior staff attorney for American Family Insurance.

    October 7, 2026

    Source: nebraskajudicial.gov

  • Wrote the Nebraska Court of Appeals opinion reversing a Lincoln County judge's dismissal of a registration charge, ruling the defendant had to keep registering for 25 years under the 2009 law.

    February 10, 2026

    Source: nebraska.gov

  • Wrote the Nebraska Court of Appeals opinion reversing a Sarpy County man's weapon conviction because the jury was not told the underlying manslaughter had to be intentional.

    November 25, 2025

    Source: nebraska.gov

  • Wrote the Nebraska Court of Appeals opinion upholding a juvenile court's decision to transfer a teenager's felony assault case to adult court.

    August 12, 2025

    Source: nebraska.gov

  • Wrote the Nebraska Court of Appeals opinion dismissing an Omaha homeowners association's appeal, ruling it had no standing to enforce its covenants to stop a couple from running a daycare in their home.

    October 8, 2024

    Source: nebraska.gov

  • Wrote the Nebraska Court of Appeals opinion upholding the Workers' Compensation Court's refusal to award an injured supervisor future medical expenses.

    November 10, 2020

    Source: nebraska.gov

  • Won his 2020 retention election as a Nebraska Court of Appeals judge in the 2nd Judicial District, 84,466 votes to 38,560 (69 percent yes).

    November 3, 2020

    Source: sos.nebraska.gov

Sources: votedouglascounty-ne.gov · sos.nebraska.gov