Douglas County welcomed its newest Fourth Judicial District County Court judge during a public ceremony last Friday afternoon.

Grant A. Forsberg took the oath of office and donned his robes in the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center legislative chambers surrounded by friends, family and colleagues.

“It has truly been an amazing journey,” Forsberg said. “I stand before you ready to support and uphold the United States Constitution as well as the constitution, statute, precedent and values of our great state.”

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed Forsberg to the court in May. Forsberg had been in private practice in Omaha after an earlier career at Union Pacific Railroad. He replaced Judge Lawrence E. Barrett, who retired in January.

Attorney Josephine Jordan said she worked with Forsberg at Union Pacific, and they both were accepted as part-time law school students at the Creighton University School of Law.

They often studied together, and they and their spouses became friends.

“It has been a blessing to know Grant Forsberg. He is one of the most genuine persons that I know,” she said. “Everyone who knows him knows that he has a distinctive and contagious laugh.”

Douglas County District Court Judge Horacio J. Wheelock administered the oath of office. He welcomed Forsberg to the bench.

“Like the women and men behind me, Judge Forsberg has been called upon to serve in ways he cannot even envision yet.,” Wheelock said. “We trust our instincts as we fight for and defend the Constitution to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.”