LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A southeastern Nebraska district judge has been chosen to serve on the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Wednesday that he has appointed Judge Jeffrey Funke of the second judicial district, consisting of Cass, Sarpy, and Otoe Counties.

Funke has been a judge since 2007, when he was named a Sarpy County judge. He was appointed district judge in 2013 by former Gov. Dave Heineman.

Before serving on the bench, Funke worked in private practice, served as a county attorney and as a deputy public defender. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his law degree from the university’s law college.

Funke will replace Justice William M. Connolly, who retires effective Aug. 1.