Kent Turnbull

Kent is a highly accomplished legal professional with a diverse and extensive background in law, education, and community service. Throughout his career, Kent has garnered numerous honors and awards that highlight his commitment to justice and community service. Kent's work experience is marked by a significant tenure as a Lincoln County Judge from 1999 to August 2021, where he also served as the elected Lincoln County Attorney in various capacities. Prior to his judicial role, he held positions such as Chief Deputy Lincoln County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney. His dedication to justice extends beyond Lincoln County, as he served as a Special Prosecutor in multiple Nebraska counties and contributed significantly to the legal community.

In addition to his legal roles, Kent has made notable contributions to legal education. He served as an Adjunct Professor at Bellevue University and Mid-Plains Community College, teaching courses on Criminal Law and Procedure. His commitment to education also extends to various guest instructor roles and presentations at conferences, where he shared his expertise on topics such as domestic violence and sexual assault response.

Kent's involvement in community service spans a wide range of activities over the past twenty-five years. Notable contributions include his participation in Rotary since 1989, the Teammates Mentoring Program, Public School Reading Program, and volunteering at the Salvation Army Soup Supper. He has chaired committees, served on boards, and actively participated in initiatives such as the Lincoln County Bluegrass Festival, Nebraska Airport Expo 2000, and the Young Eagles Program.

As a member of several professional organizations, Kent has demonstrated a strong commitment to the legal community. His memberships include the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney Association, Nebraska County Judges Association, and the Nebraska State Bar Association. Additionally, he has served on various committees and boards, contributing to the advancement of legal practices and procedures. 

Kent's dedication to justice, education, and community service is evident throughout his multifaceted career. His impact extends beyond the courtroom, leaving a lasting legacy in the legal community and the communities he has served.

EDUCATION

• 1980-1982 University of Nebraska College of Law | Juris Doctorate
• 1976-1980 Nebraska Christian College | Bachelor of Arts in Ministry
• 1976-1978 Northeast Technical Community College | Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice

HONORS AND AWARDS

• 2017 - Nebraska State Bar Foundation Distinguished Fellow
• 2005 - Special Friend Award, Nebraska State Foster Care Review Board
• 1998 - LECC Award for Advancing Justice and Cooperation in Nebraska Law Enforcement. Presented by US Attorney Tom Monahan
• 1997 - President's Plaque for Outstanding Service to the Nebraska County Attorneys Association as President of the Association
• 1992 - Mock Trial Attorney Coach of the Year. Presented by the Nebraska Bar Foundation, in conjunction with the Nebraska State Bar Association (1992 Nebraska Mock Trial Champions. National Competition - 7^th Place)
• 1989 - Nebraska County Attorneys Association President's Awards for Outstanding Efforts in chairing the Nebraska County Attorneys Association Criminal Jury Instructions Committee
• 1988 - Mock Trial Attorney Coach of the Year presented by the Nebraska Bar Foundation, in conjunction with the Nebraska Bar Association. (1988 Nebraska Mock Trial Champions National Competition - 7^th Place)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• September 2021to Present Lindemeier Law Office
• 1999 to August 2021 -Lincoln County Judge
• 1998 to 1999 - Logan County Attorney
• 1998 to 1999 - Elected Lincoln County Attorney
• 1994 - Elected Lincoln County Attorney
• 1990 - Elected Lincoln County Attorney
• 1989 - Appointed Lincoln County Attorney
• 1989 to 1999 - Special Prosecutor; Dawson County, Keith County, Frontier County,
• Red Willow County, appointed by District Court on individual cases periodically since 1989
• 1986 to 1989 - Chief Deputy Lincoln County Attorney
• 1983 to 1986 - Deputy County Attorney

PUBLICATIONS

1. 1995 - Contributor for National Training Manual on Investigation and Prosecution of Parental Abduction through the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.
   • Sponsored by the American Prosecutor's Research Institute
2. 1989 - Contributor to the Nebraska County Attorneys Association, Criminal Jury Instructions (Committee Chairman)

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• 2004 - Speaker - Nebraska State Patrol Seminar, Proper Community Response To Domestic Violence in Nebraska
• 1999 - Speaker - Mid-Plains Community College, Sexual Assault Response Team Training for Law Enforcement and Nurses. Topic: Evidence and Court Room Testimony
• 1999 - Speaker - Spring Training County Attorneys Association. Topic: Pre-Trial Diversion
• 1998 - Speaker - LECC Conference. Topic: Domestic Violence

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• 2006 - Adjunct Professor - Bellevue University. Course: Kirkpatrick Signature Series
• 1998 - Adjunct Professor - Mid-Plains Community College. Course: Criminal Law and Procedure
• 1995 - Guest Instructor - Law Enforcement Training Academy. Grand Island, Nebraska. Course: Rules of Evidence
• 1993 - Adjunct Professor - Mid-Plains Community College. Course: Criminal Law and Procedure

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

Continuing Legal Education Hours (Past Five Years)

• 2005 - Fall Training, County Judges Association 2005 - Spring Training, County Judges Association
• 2004 - Spring and Fall Training, County Judges Association 2003 - Spring and Fall Training, County Judges Association 2002 - Spring and Fall Training, County Judges Association
• 2001 - Spring and Fall Training Conference, County Judges Association

Additional Seminars:

• 2000 - National Judicial College
• 1996 - Practical Homicide Investigation, Tactics, Procedure and Forensic Techniques, Denver, Colorado
• 1995 - Violence Against Women's Conference, Washington, D.C.

COMMUNITY SERVICE (PAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS)

• Teammates Mentoring Program
• Public School Reading Program
• Lincoln County Bluegrass Festival
• Nebraska Airport Expo 2000, North Platte Committee, Chair
• Salvation Anny Soup Supper, Volunteer Worker
• Young Eagles Program (Airplane Rides for children)
• Historical Committee for North Platte Airport Authority
• Rotary- Community Service Projects. Examples include the purchase of : fire trucks for foreign countries to fixing-up homes for the elderly
• Mock Trial, Performance Judge or Presiding Judge
• Community Domestic Violence Intervention Program - Volunteer Board Member
• Church Deacons Committee - Foreign Exchange Student Program - housed foreign exchange students

MEMBERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES

• September 2021 Present Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney Association
• June 2023 to Present Board Member Hope Esperanza
• 1999 to August 2021 Nebraska County Judges Association
• 2003 to 2005 Nebraska Supreme Court Pro Se Committee
• 1999 Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System - Local application project
• 1999 to 2015 State Juvenile Justice and Accountability Coalition
• 1999 to 2000 Nebraska Aviation Expo 2000 Committee, North Platte
• 1999 to 2000 Jail Assessment Core Committee
• 1997 Nebraska Bar Association Criminal Procedure Committee
• 1996 to 1999 Community Domestic Violence Intervention Program (President - 1996 Treasurer - 1997)
• 1995 to 1999 LB1184 Committee, Chairman
• 1995 to 1999 State Committee on Violence Against Women Act
• 1994 to 2004 Experimental Aircraft Association
• 1989 to 1999 Lincoln County Drug Fund Board, Chairman
• 1989 to Present Rotary
• 1988 to 1992 Nebraska Sentence and Review Committee
• 1986 to 2021 Lincoln County Drug and Alcohol Forum
• 1983 to 1999 Nebraska County Attorneys Association (President - 1997, Vice­ President - 1996, Treasurer - 1995, Secretary- 1994, Board Member - 1990 - 1997)
• 1983 to 1999 National District Attorneys Association
• 1983 to Present Member of the Nebraska State Bar Association
• 1983 to Present Lincoln County Bar Member (President - 1996, Treasurer - 1994 - 1995)