(AP) — Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican has been selected to lead two national judicial organizations.

Heavican was named president of the Conference of Chief Justices, which is comprised of the top judicial officers of each state and promotes the interests of state judicial systems. Heavican also was named chairman of the board of the National Center for State Courts, a nonprofit court organization that aims to improve justice administration.

Both positions are one-year terms and are effective immediately.

Heavican was appointed Nebraska’s Chief Justice in 2006 after serving five years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Nebraska. He joined the Lancaster County Attorney’s office in 1975, and from 1981 until 1990, he served as the Lancaster County Attorney.