Judge Stefanie A. Martinez: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Stefanie A. Martinez is a judge for the 2nd Judicial District Court of Nebraska. She was appointed to the seat by former Governor Pete Ricketts on April 6, 2017, filling the vacancy created by the elevation of the Hon. David Arterburn to the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

The 2nd Judicial District includes Cass and Sarpy Counties.

Martinez began her judicial career as a judge for the 2nd Judicial County Court, following her appointment by former Governor Dave Heineman in 2013. Prior to her appointment, she was a prosecutor with the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office since 2008.

Before that, Martinez managed her own private practice (2004 to 2013) and was a former administrative hearing officer for the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (2005 to 2008) and an assistant public defender in Douglas County (1999 to 2004).

She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and Spanish from Boston College in 1993. Martinez then completed a J.D. at New York Law School in 1998. While a law student, she completed a judicial clerkship with the Hon. Patricia Anne Williams at the New York Supreme Court (1996 to 1997).

Her memberships include the American Bar Association, the American Judges Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Nebraska County Judges Association, the Nebraska Hispanic Bar Association, the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Nebraska Bar Foundation, the Omaha Bar Association, the Robert M. Spire Inns of Court, the Sarpy County Bar Association, and the Second Judicial District Bar Association.

Martinez has also sat on several judicial committees for the Nebraska Supreme Court, the Nebraska County Judges Association, and the Nebraska State Bar Association.

From a civic standpoint, she has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of America, Midwestern Swimming, the Nebraska State Schools Association, and USA Swimming.

Martinez relocated to Nebraska in 1998.