Derek Vaughn

Derek Ray Vaughn is an American lawyer who has served as an associate justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court since 2025.

Early life, education, and legal career

Vaughn attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for his undergraduate degree, graduating in 1996 with a degree in business administration, and the University of Nebraska College of Law for his Juris Doctor, graduating in 1999.

In 2023, Nebraska governor Jim Pillen appointed Vaughn to serve as a Nebraska district court judge in the fourth judicial district in Douglas County, Nebraska.

Nebraska Supreme Court tenure On November 10, 2025, Governor Jim Pillen announced the appointment of Vaughn to the Nebraska Supreme Court to succeed Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman, who retired.