Lincoln, Neb., woman sworn in as fed magistrate

Associated Press - January 15, 2010 6:55 PM ET

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Federal judicial officials have sworn in a Lincoln woman as the Nebraska district's newest magistrate judge.

Cheryl Renae Zwart on Friday accepted her 8-year appointment. She succeeds Lincoln-based U.S. Magistrate David Piester, who retired in August.

Since 2001, Zwart worked as Piester's law clerk. Before that, she worked as an associate and a partner with the Lincoln-based Knudsen Law Firm.

Among their duties, magistrate judges handle preliminary matters in civil and criminal cases.

Zwart, who is a Sioux Falls, S.D., native, was among 23 people to apply for the post.

District judges ultimately made the selection.

Zwart will maintain her office in Lincoln.

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