On August 12th, Katie Benson, who was appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts in June, was officially sworn in and robed as the newest judge for the Fourth Judicial District (Douglas County). With many family members, friends, previous employers, other judges, and even Mayor Stothert in attendance, there were many tears of joy and laughter as several people spoke on behalf of Katie.

“She (Katie) and I hit it off right away. It was just easy, and I was so happy when she became a colleague in 2008 when Don (Kleine) hired her, which is one of the best decisions I think he ever made,” Judge Shelly Stratman shared. “Katie can walk into a room of total strangers and walk out with lifelong friends. She can talk to people from any age, any background, and find things they have in common.”

Katie, 42, has worked as a Deputy County Attorney in the Douglas County Attorney’s Office since 2008, and in that time has played an important role in the Felony Division, drug court, young adult court, and mental health diversion. During her time there she gained the friendship of the other judges, and made a lasting impression in all the areas she participated in.

After completing her oath, her mother and nephew helped put on Judge Benson’s robe, and Judge Benson ended the ceremony with a speech thanking friends and family for helping her gain experience and make this dream of hers come true.

“Katie expressed many times to me that one of her dreams in life was to be a judge. She really, really wanted to be a judge someday,” Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said. “It’s a great thing to be able to say, ‘sometimes Katie, dreams come true.’”