Lincoln, NE – Judge Dirk V. Block was sworn in on Jan. 13, 2017 to serve on the bench of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court. Presiding Judge John R. Hoffert administered the oath of office.
Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed Judge Block on Dec. 8, 2016, to fill a vacancy on the bench resulting from the recent retirement of Judge Laureen K. Van Norman. The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court is composed of seven judges who are initially appointed by the governor.
Judges are then subject to a retention vote by the electorate three years after appointment and every six years thereafter.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Block was managing member of Marks Clare & Richards, LLC in Omaha, Neb., where he led a team of attorneys in diverse practice areas, including trying cases before the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court and counseling clients on employment matters. He had also worked as a partner and associate attorney at the firm, which he joined in 1988. Earlier in his career, Judge Block worked as an associate attorney at Knapp, Mues, Beavers, and Luther in Kearney, Neb. He is admitted to practice in Nebraska and the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska.
Judge Block is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and a Juris Doctor degree from Creighton University School of Law. He has received the Martingale Hubbell “AV” peer review rating since 2005.
Judge Block and his wife, Stephanie, are both originally from Gothenburg, Neb. Judge Block is currently serving on the Board of Directors for CBMC, Inc. and as Master of Ceremonies for the Omaha Leadership Prayer Breakfast for the past decade.
Source: NE WCC