Fairbury City Attorney Selected As New District Court Judge

By Gordon HopkinsGovernor Pete Ricketts appointed David J.A. Bargen, City Attorney for Fairbury, as district court judge in Southeast Nebraska’s First Judicial District. Bargen replaces Judge Vicky Johnson, who retired at the end of January of this year.The First Judicial District consists of Jefferson, Fillmore, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, and Thayer counties.David Bargen, 49, of Rembolt Ludtke, LLP, a law firm in Lincoln, has been Fairbury’s City Attorney for 14 years, as well as maintaining a private practice that handles general litigation. His practice includes municipal and governmental law, water law, and civil litigation. He has served as city attorney and assistant city attorney to several Nebraska municipalities, and has represented other government entities, including counties, in a variety of capacities. He has also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Nebraska in various lawsuits. Bargen’s water law practice has included representing public power and irrigation districts in litigation involving water rights and related matters, natural resources districts on inter-basin transfer permits and challenges to integrated management plans in contested hearings at the Department of Natural Resources, and advising on plans for water offset programs. Bargen’s trial work includes jury and bench trials in state district court, cases in federal court, appellate arguments, and contested case hearings before agencies. From 2004 to 2006, Bargen worked as a judicial clerk for Judge C. Arlen Beam in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.Bargen holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a Master of Science in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He also holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law, where he graduated with high distinction. Bargen is a lifetime fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and Nebraska Water Resources Association.Bargen teaches on land use regulation law as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law. His prior community involvements include being a co-coach for the Norris High School Mock Trial Team, a presenter/facilitator on municipal government at Cornhusker Boys State, and Board President of Lincoln Literacy.Bargen currently lives in Adams.Until a replacement city attorney is found, Rembolt Ludtke will continue to provide legal services for the City of Fairbury.Fairbury Mayor Spencer Brown told FJN, “Myself and the city staff are excited for David and his new endeavor. David will transition out and Rembolt Ludtke has committed to supporting our needs in the interim. I would like to personally thank David for his time and expertise.”

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