Thomas E. Zimmerman

Background

Thomas E. Zimmerman was born on January 10, 1962, in Duluth, Minnesota, United States. His professional life has been based in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he developed a legal practice and later entered the state judiciary.

Education

Zimmerman received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1985 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1989. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is the state's principal public research university and has long provided professional and teacher education in the state. The University of Nebraska College of Law is Nebraska's public law school and trains lawyers for practice in the state's courts and legal institutions.

He also completed an estate-planning course at Northwestern University School of Law in 1999. His legal education preceded admission to the Nebraska bar and the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska in 1990.

Career

Zimmerman began practicing law in 1990 at Jeffrey, Hahn, Hemmerling & Zimmerman, P.C., L.L.O., in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he became a partner. His practice included general civil matters, taxation, bankruptcy, estate administration, corporate and estate planning, real estate, trials, and appeals. He later described estate planning and personal and business planning as important areas of his private practice. The firm was a Lincoln-based general-practice law firm serving clients throughout Nebraska.

He was appointed a judge of the Lancaster County Court in the 3rd Judicial District in 2015 and has continued in that position. Nebraska county courts are trial courts with jurisdiction that includes small claims, probate, guardianship, conservatorship, adoption, traffic, misdemeanor, and other specified civil and criminal matters. Zimmerman served as presiding judge of the 3rd Judicial District County Court in 2020 and 2021.

His judicial and professional work has included participation in Nebraska Supreme Court court-record and COVID-19 response groups, judicial education seminars, the National Trial Team Competition, and the Nebraska State Mock Trial program. He was appointed judicial representative to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board in 2021, serving in a role connected with the administration and oversight of Nebraska's public retirement systems.

Achievements

• Zimmerman was appointed a judge of the Lancaster County Court in the 3rd Judicial District in 2015 and has continued to serve on that court.

• He served as presiding judge of the 3rd Judicial District County Court in 2020 and 2021.

• He served on the Lincoln Bar Association Board of Directors in 2007–2008 and 2018–2019 and contributed as a volunteer to Law Day, mock-trial, and trial-team programs.

• He served in leadership roles with Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, including board president in 2012–2013 and immediate past president in 2014–2015.

• He was appointed judicial representative to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board in 2021.

Religion

Zimmerman has been involved in the religious and community life of St. Joseph's Church in Lincoln, where he served as a lector and participated as a parent volunteer at the church and school. He has also belonged to the USA Council of Serra International, an organization associated with support for Catholic vocations.

Membership

Zimmerman has belonged to the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Lincoln Bar Association, the Nebraska County Court Judges' Association, the Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court, the USA Council of Serra International, and other professional and civic organizations. His service has included two periods on the Lincoln Bar Association Board of Directors, participation in the Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court, and long-term involvement with Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, a Lincoln organization providing food, shelter, and supportive services.

His community participation has also included the board of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, where he served as board president in 2012–2013 and immediate past president in 2014–2015. He has volunteered for Lincoln Bar Association Law Day activities, the Nebraska State Mock Trial, and youth and school-related community programs.

• Member.

  Nebraska State Bar Association , United States

  1990 - present

• Board of Directors, 2007–2008 and 2018–2019.

  Lincoln Bar Association , United States

• Member.

  Nebraska County Court Judges' Association , United States

  2015 - present

• Master of the Bench, Joseph Story Team.

  Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court , United States

  2023 - present

• Member.

  USA Council of Serra International , United States

  2002 - present

• Board member; board president in 2012–2013 and immediate past president in 2014–2015.

  Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach , United States

  2004 - 2015

Interests

• Community service, legal education, judicial education, retirement systems, and support for religious vocations.

Connections

Zimmerman has described himself publicly as a husband, father, and grandfather. He has been connected with Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach in Lincoln since 2004 through board and leadership service. He has also participated in St. Joseph's Church and School as a parent volunteer and served as a lector at St. Joseph's Church.

References

• Nebraska Judicial Branch: Hon. Thomas E. Zimmerman Official judicial biography documenting Zimmerman's education, legal practice, judgeship, professional affiliations, honors, certifications, community activities, and judicial service.
  2024
• Nebraska Legislature, Floor Debate Transcript, April 15, 2021 Legislative record describing Zimmerman's legal career, appointment as a Lancaster County Court judge, professional licenses, bar leadership, community service, and appointment to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board.
  2021
• Nebraska Judicial Branch Overview Official explanation of Nebraska's judicial structure and the jurisdiction and functions of county courts.
• Jacob v. Schlichtman Nebraska Court of Appeals opinion identifying Thomas E. Zimmerman as counsel for the appellee while he practiced with Jeffrey, Hahn, Hemmerling & Zimmerman, P.C.
  2008