Judge Bauer Receives Community Service Award

County Court Judge Linda Bauer of the First Judicial District, along with Judge Stephanie Hansen and Judge Marcela Keim, both of the Fourth Judicial District, were announced as the 2025 Distinguished Judge Award recipients by Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke.On October 8, 2025, during his midday address to judges assembled from across the state, Chief Justice Funke recognized Judge Bauer with the Service to the Community Award, and Judges Hansen and Keim received the Improvement of the Judicial System Award.These awards acknowledge exceptional achievements and projects undertaken by judges beyond their regular judicial duties. The awards are designed to recognize any type of project or activity that has a positive impact on the administration of justice, is effective in addressing public needs and enhancing public trust and confidence in the justice system and will benefit present and future users of the Nebraska court system.The title of Distinguished Judge is the most prestigious honor conferred by the Nebraska Supreme Court.Judge Bauer’s service to the court and engagement in her community was a key force in making things happen that improve lives and address the needs in her community. These include: Coordinating and hosting an UPSTREAM Mapping Workshop that brought together DHHS, CASA, schools, probation, local businesses, and service providers to discuss how better to serve children and families in the court system. Serving as lead judge for a Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative fostering collaboration between local child welfare and juvenile stakeholders to improve issues in the juvenile court system. Celebrating the reunification of families by holding a reunification celebration when families successfully complete the work necessary to support reunification. Collaborating with the Sheriff’s Office on their annual National Night Out/Back-to-School event that resulted in double the number of attendees and included Judge Bauer coordinating engagement by local churches and businesses to provide school-age youth with backpacks, “back-to-school” haircuts, and clothes.Chief Justice Funke closed the presentation with a round of applause for all recipients, noting how their leadership and innovation are representative of the work put in by judges around the state and the shared commitment to the judiciary.

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