LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Michael McCormack is set to retire after 18 years of service.

The judicial branch announced Wednesday that McCormack will step down effective Jan. 1.

McCormack was appointed to the bench in 1997 by then-Gov. Ben Nelson. He served as a deputy public defender in Douglas County after his graduation from Creighton University’s law school in 1963, and worked as a private practice lawyer from 1966 to 1997.

McCormack represents the fourth judicial district, encompassing portions of Sarpy and Douglas counties.

Justice Kenneth Stephan retired from the court in July, and Gov. Pete Ricketts chose Lancaster County District Judge Stephanie Stacy to replace him.