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North Platte attorney sworn in as district judge
McCOOK, Neb. — North Platte lawyer Patrick Heng, 63, was sworn in Friday as District Court Judge of the 11th Judicial District by his wife, Douglas County District Court Judge, Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, at the Red Willow County District courtroom.
Heng was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David W. Urbom. He’s practiced law in North Platte for over a decade, as a partner of Waite, McWha and Heng from 2011 to 2019 and then opened Patrick M. Heng Law Office in 2020.
Prior to practicing in North Platte, Heng was a partner at Raynor, Rensch & Pfeiffer based in Omaha from 1987 to 2011. He also has experience with the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office, serving as Deputy County Attorney from 1984 to 1987.
Heng’s legal career included general litigation practice, family law, as a court-appointed and private criminal and juvenile attorney, divorce and child custody cases, appeal cases, collection litigation and contract dispute. Heng has a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law.
He’s a member of the Nebraska Bar Association. In their remarks before Heng was sworn in, Douglas County District Court Judge Todd Engleman said he was “humble and rigorously fair to everyone,” has a tireless work ethic and is a true student of the law.
Lincoln County District Court Judge Michael Piccolo said Heng is similar to Urbom in that he’s patient, courteous but firm, compassionate and has an unwavering respect of authority, especially of the judicial branch.
“It’s definitely a win-win for the community and the 11th District,” Piccolo said. At the robing ceremony, he was helped by his children, Nathan Heng and Chloe Heng.