Public Defender

Edwina Heise is one of our Assistant Public Defenders.  She grew up in Pender, Nebraska and graduated from Pender Public Schools.  She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science and Geography from Wayne State College. In 2013, she earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law, receiving special recognition for her interest in public service.  While in law school, Edwina was a member of Phi Delta Phi, Public Interest Board, Knit 1 Purl TU, a study group that yarned crafts for charities, and she also served on the Energy Law Journal as a student editor.  As a first-year law student, Edwina had the opportunity to serve as an intern for the Honorable Judge John Kane with the United State District Court for the District of Colorado.  Prior to coming to the Adams County Public Defender’s Office, Edwina was an Assistant General Counsel for Credit Management Services in Grand Island.  She also worked at Nelnet and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Edwina is a member of the Adams County Drug Court staff as well as Central Nebraska Veterans Treatment Court.