Meet Sheridan County's Newest Deputy District Attorney Jami Simmons Imagine finishing law school, preparing for and taking the bar exam and getting married in the span of a few weeks! That hectic scenario describes Jamian Simmon's 2006 summer perfectly. Even today she continues at a pace that would make even the most energetic want to stop and catch their breath. Sheridan County's newest Deputy County Attorney was kind enough to sit down with us last week and allow us to learn a little bit about her. Jami was born and raised in Valentine, Nebraska and graduated from Valentine Rural High School in 1999. Her father, Mr. John Wobig, works as a pharmacist at the Cherry County Hospital and her mother, Cindy, serves as Principal of the Valentine Elementary School. Jami has one brother who is also a lawyer but is presently working on a PhD at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. After high school graduation, Jami enrolled at UNL and began working on a degree in psychology. While working towards her degree, she realized that even a graduate degree in Psychology was restrictive and it was then she decided Law School was her best post graduate option. During law school, Jami met and became engaged to Nick Simmons. Nick ranches with his family south of Eli. Aware that her fiancé was committed to ranching with his family, she began to search for job openings in the panhandle. One of her law school classmates was Gordon High graduate Andrea Walton and it was Andrea who suggested that she apply for a job in Sheridan County with Smith and King. She was hired in the fall of 2006 and worked alongside John Freudenburg before he left the firm and moved to Lincoln. At present, she works out of the firm's Law Offices located on Main Street in Rushville. Mrs. Simmons is quick to point out, "I've been surprised at the volume of cases that come across my desk." At present she has been able to serve as lead prosecutor in three jury cases and acknowledges that the workload in a jury trial is immense, but admits she loves the process. "While in law school, I thought about environmental law or family law, but now I actually enjoy the practice of criminal law and at this point, I'd really miss it if that were to change." She continues, "I like those that I'm working with and feel as though we are making an impact upon crime in our county." If there is a downside to Jami's experience so far, it would have to be her long daily commute between Rushville and Eli. Needless to say, with a daily commute of over 50 miles one way, she is forced to spend a lot of time in her car. She admits, "Before we were married, I told Nick that I wouldn't be spending a lot of time at home, but luckily, he's a very patient man!" Jami is a great addition to this area and we are fortunate to have someone who chose to come back to western Nebraska and who works so hard to make life better for all of us.