The Hon. Patrick M. Heng is a judge for the 11th Judicial District Court of Nebraska. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Pete Ricketts in 2021, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. David W. Urbom.
The 11th Judicial District encompasses Arthur, Chase, Dawson, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Red Willow, and Thomas Counties.
Prior to his appointment, Heng was a sole practitioner in his own private practice in North Platte, a law firm he opened in 2019. Before that, he was a partner at Waite, McWha & Heng (2011 to 2019). His practice included general civil litigation, family law, criminal defense, and juvenile matters.
Heng earned a bachelor’s degree in history, economics, and political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1981. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1984.
After graduating from law school, Heng began his legal career as a deputy county attorney for the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office. He served in that capacity until 1987, at which time he entered into private practice at Raynor, Rensch & Pfeiffer in Omaha.
His memberships have included the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Nebraska District Judges Association.
Heng has been married to the Hon. Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, a judge on the 4th Judicial District Court in Douglas County.