Vol. XXXXII No. 2

May 2017

Newsletter O m a h a B a r A s s o c i a t i o n

INSIDEPage 2…President’s Message

Page 3…OBA Mock Trial

Page 4…Executive Director’s Column

Page 5…Moves & Milestones

Page 6 …Medical Legal Dinner

Page 7…Year of Gratitude

Page 8…Podcasting

Page 9…LRS Report

Pages 10 & 11…Cover Story

Pages 12 & 13…A Tale of Wine Tasting

Page 14…Boardgame Throwdown

Page 15…Just the Basics CLE

Pages 16 & 17…Pizza Review

Page 18…NePA report

Page 19… OLPA Report

Page 20…Calendar

omahabarassociation.com

and twitter!

Robert M. SpirePublic Service

Award:Donald Kleine

OBA Public Service Award:

Doris Huffman

Lifetime Achievement

Award:Amy Longo

Law Day 2017Luncheon: Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Community Service Education Leadership | Stronger Together Since 1889

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President’s Message

Douglas F. Johnson

Happy 2017 Law Day, OBA members! Law Day was established in 1958 by President Eisenhower, to mark the nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Since 1961, the official date for Law Day, as designated by Congress, has been May 1st. For well over 30 years the OBA has hosted a celebratory Law Day Lunch for members and guests. This year’s Lunch takes place on Tuesday, May 2, from 11:45am-1:00pm at the ballroom at the Omaha Marriott at Regency.

This year’s Law Day theme, as chosen by the American Bar Association, is “The 14th Amendment: Transforming American Democracy”. This theme will be incorporated in the posters done by 5th graders for the poster contest organized by the Nebraska Paralegals Association, and in the essays written by 8th graders for the essay contest organized by the Omaha Legal Professionals Association. The history of the 14th Amendment will be discussed at the Law Day Lunch by our featured guest speaker, Danielle Conrad, of the Nebraska ACLU.

A large volunteer effort connected to Law Day is the “Lawyers in the Classroom” program, organized by the OBA Public Service Committee and the Young Lawyers Division. Over 50 attorneys meet with more than a thousand grade school students throughout the metro area, talking about the importance of the rule of law in America. Additionally, Judge Lyle Strom will be having 50 plus grade school students in his courtroom for the mock trial of Cinderella v. Step Sisters. Cinderella is petitioning for back wages owed for work done for the sisters, and actors from the Rose Theatre will be in full costume and character for the trial.

The theme of public service also runs deep in connection with OBA’s Law Day Lunch. We will be recognizing and thanking our Alfred G. Ellick Lawyer Referral Service Award recipients for their 10 years of service to the public as members of the OBA Lawyer Referral Service. We will also be recognizing Nebraska State Bar Foundation and Nebraska Lawyers Trust Account Foundation Executive Director Doris Huffman for her 25 years of work done with those deserving foundations. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine will receive the 2017 Robert M. Spire Public Service Award for his longstanding commitment to public service and

the community.

I am especially proud to say that the Law Day Lunch will include the presentation of the OBA Lifetime Achievement Award to Amy Longo. Amy has been a mainstay of the OBA since she was admitted to practice, serving as President and in a number of leadership

positions over the years. Amy deserves this very special recognition; congratulations, Amy!

As you can see from all these Law Day events, the Lunch and associated programs are wide-ranging, and great way for the legal profession to impress itself in a positive way on the community in which we live and work. Law Day’s core principle, celebration of the rule of law in America, is something all of us can be proud of and support together.

Last Chance

I have been reminded that this column is my last as President of the OBA. How the time has flown this year! I’ve had a chance this year to meet new members, rekindle friendships with others, and work with many of you on worthwhile projects and ideas to strengthen and improve the legal practice in Nebraska. I want to thank the members of the OBA leadership, the Executive Council members and officers, the chairs of the OBA committees, the leaders of the OBA Young Lawyers Division, the OLPA volunteers, and Donna Birkby and Dave Sommers for all their work. Dave has said it before and it really is true: it takes a village of volunteers to have the strong and vibrant local bar association we enjoy.

In two months I will have the pleasure of passing the OBA President’s gavel to Anne Marie O’Brien. I look forward to seeing what her year has in store. I also look forward to seeing you at OBA events for many years to come!

With gratitude, you make me want to be a better judge.

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OBA Recognizes Three Attorneys with the Alfred G. Ellick Lawyer Referral Service Award

This is the third year for the Alfred G. Ellick Lawyer Referral Service Award.named in honor of the OBA president who, in 1962, established the OBA Lawyer Referral Service.

The three recipients in 2017 – Richard P. McGowan, Matthew S. McKeever and Matthew V. Rusch – join the 118 attorneys who were previously recognized at the 2015 Law Day Lunch, the inaugural year for the award.

Matt McKeever of Copple, Rockey, McKeever & Schleich, “Don’t hesitate to sign up for the LRS. … There is no appreciable downside to signing up.”

Rich McGowan of McGowan Law Office concurred, adding, “Donna Birkby [executive director of LRS] is a pleasure to work with..”

Matt Rusch of Erickson and Sederstrom echoed their sentiments, saying, “You will not regret it.”

“These attorneys have shown dedication and commitment to the Lawyer Referral Service, and to the good works of the service,” OBA Executive Director Dave Sommers, said.

“Congratulations on your receipt of this prestigious award and thank you for all you do for the Omaha Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service.”

They will receive their awards at the annual Law Day luncheon May 2.

Dozens Experience Cinderella’s Mock Trial

OBAMemorial Service

Remembering those whom we have lost in the last year

Friday, May 19th

Douglas County Legislative Chambers

-11:30am - Noon

All Are Welcome To Attend

One-hundred students from Liberty Elementary held the fate of Cinderella’s financial well-being in their hands at the OBA’s an-nual Mock Trial, featuring a cast from the Rose Theatre, attorneys Joe Bradley, Don Kleine and Ann Miller and U.S. District Court Judge Lyle E. Strom and his assistant Jean Roeder. The result: 17-3 in favor of Cinderella!

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Executive Director’s Column I could liken it to choosing between children – that I love them all equally – but when pushed, I have to say that my favorite OBA event is the Law Day Lunch. The celebration of the rule of law in the U.S. deserves national recognition, and I’m proud of all that we do locally as part of that effort. Every year, the Law Day Committee comes together and puts on a large number of coordinated events, the breadth of which is astounding. Thank you to Lynda Henningsen and Donna Olson from the Omaha Legal Professionals Association for coordinating the Essay Contest. Thank you to Tom Tilden and Sandi Armstrong of the Nebraska Paralegals Association for their work in executing the Poster Contest. Thank you to Ann Miller, Jean Roeder, and Judge Strom for their putting on of the Mock Trial. Thank you to Lynda Henningsen, Lorraine Boyd, and The Daily Record for their Law Day edition of the paper. Thank you to Larry Roland and Jamie Hermanson for their coordination of the Lawyers in the Classroom initiative (and thank you to all the attorneys who spoke to classrooms!). Thank you to Larry Roland, Patrick Cooper, and the entire OBA Public Service Committee for their work in selecting this year’s Public Service Award recipients. And last, but certainly not least, thank you to Law Day Committee co-chairs John Menicucci and Doug Law for your longstanding leadership over the committee.

April saw another large turnout for the 11th Annual Seminar on Ethics and Professionalism – over 470 registrants in total! Judge Laurie Smith Camp gave a virtual tour of the Roman Hruska Federal Courthouse, Creighton Law Professor Steve Sieberson discussed the ethical responsibilities related to cyber security with co-presenter Rich Hoffman of UnitedLex, and McGrath North’s J. Scott Paul finished the day with an engaging review of recent ethical opinions and cases from Nebraska and Iowa. Thank you to all presenters, attendees, and our event co-host Creighton School of Law; we’ll see you next year! (For those early planners out there, next year’s date is set for Friday, April 13, 2018.)

March marked the 40th anniversary of the first Medical Legal Dinner, the joint membership meeting of the OBA and the Metro Omaha Medical Society. Dr. Rettelsdorf,

father of Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, was the MOMS president in 1977, and was instrumental in getting this annual event started. Thank you to Mike Kelly from the Omaha World Herald for his compelling remarks as the featured guest speaker, and thank you to Laura Polack and Carol Wang for their work organizing the event.

The OBA’s Young Lawyers Division held another “Just the Basics” one hour CLE in March, this one on

Personal Injury Law. It confirmed my belief that I truly know nothing about personal injury law, and need to leave that practice to the experts. Thank you to YLD leaders Jeremy

Elliott and Julie Tabor for presenting.

I want to give big thank you to the OBA Executive Council for their work this past year, in particular outgoing President Hon. Doug Johnson, and those at the end of their terms: John Menicucci, Ken Wentz, Patrick Cooper, Dick Lydick, and Monica Freeman. It’s an honor and a privilege to work with such a dedicated leadership, and to try to make the OBA the best it can possibly be.

Finally, in March I attended the annual ABA Bar Leadership Institute conference in Chicago. The conference included a keynote speaker discussing the “Uberization of the Legal Profession”, in particular the role of technology as a major disruptive force in law practice as we know it. That same concept was reinforced during J. Scott Paul’s ethics presentation in April, in the discussion on artificial intelligence and online legal companies like AVVO. What do you think about technology changing how we practice law and counsel our clients? I want to know what you think; I believe the OBA should lead discussion on this big issue, and I look forward to working with you on having those discussions.

Dave Sommers

As promised, the executive director hands out gift cards to those who utilized the new social media at the Ethics Seminar.

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ON THE MOVE MILESTONESKutak Rock welcomes Torri Criger as of counsel and Jacqueline Grau as staff attorney; Nick Thielen has been named assistant counsel at EHPV Management Group; Amanda Fray has joined Jackson Lewis; and the OBA congratulates Hon. Stefanie Martinez on her appointment to the bench in the 2nd Judicial District Court and Stephanie Shearer on her appointment to the 4th Judicial County Court.

OBA Members The OBA Lawyer Referral Service is seeking additional attorneys

in the following practice areas:Federal Worker’s Compensation

Federal and General Employment LawSchool Law

Municipal LawAdministrative Law

ForeclosureVeterans Affairs

Please call Donna at (402)280-3606 for more details.

Cline Williams congratulates Susan Sapp on her induction as a Fellow into The American College of Trial Lawyers; Chad Richter has been named managing partner at Jackson Lewis’ Omaha office; Krista Eckhoff and Amy Lawrenson were promoted to partner at Baird Holm; Congratulations to Muirne Heaney for receiving the Nebraska State Bar Foundation Visionary Award for 2017; congratulations to Aaron Wegner on being named Boss of the Year by the Omaha Legal Professionals; and H. Dan Smith and Dennis Hogan have been inducted into the CRE Summit Hall of Fame.

If you are aware of anyone within the Nebraska legal community (lawyers, law office personnel, judges, courthouse employees or law students) who suffers a sudden, catastrophic loss due to an unexpected event, illness or injury, the NSBA’s SOLACE Program can likely assist that person in some meaningful way.

Contact Mike Kinney at mkinney@ctagd.comand/or Liz Neeley at lneeley@nebar.com.

Aaron Wegner gets a congratulatory hug from his employee.

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March marked the 40th anniversary of the first Medical Legal Dinner, the joint membership meeting of the OBA and the Metro Omaha Medical Society. Far left: Judge Leigh Ann Retelsdorf with her father, who was MOMS president when the first dinner took place in 1977. Top left: Mike Kelly of the Omaha World Herald is the guest speaker.

Medical Legal Dinner #40

The McLeays make the dinner a family affair, with father Dr. Pete McLeay joined by his sons, doctors Pete, Matt and John, and attorney Bart.

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OBA Continues to Show Gratitude…With Gift Cards!

In addition to the two free hours of ethics CLE provided to OBA Members on April 7, OBA Executive Director Dave Sommers used the meeting to thank OBA members who had actively interacted with the OBA via social media. Facebook, Twitter, and SocialLink users were greeted with over $150 in “thank you” gift cards. A hint to those looking for their own piece of this gratitude: Dave will be continuing the gift card giveaway to those who log in, post, and like content on SocialLink (via logging in through the OBA website).

www.omahabarassociation.com

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Chief Judge Riley Hangs Up Robe2001 was a busy year for William Jay Riley. He entered the year as President of the OBA, and set

about working with Executive Director Mardee Korinek on the Spring’s events. On April 5th of that year, the OBA and The Daily Record coordinated a dinner and tour of the newly-opened Hruska Federal Courthouse.

As it would turn out, that new building would become very familiar, as Riley was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit less than two months later.

Judge Riley, elevated to Chief Judge of the 8th Circuit in 2010, recently announced he will be moving to inactive senior status after August 31, 2017.

We at the Omaha Bar Association thank Chief Judge Riley for his years of service on the bench, his service to the Bar, and the community in general. Here, for your reading pleasure, is the 2001 article about Riley’s ascension to the bench.

From the Archives

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LAW DAY 2017Law Day is an occasion of public acknowledgement

of our nation’s heritage of justice, liberty, and equality under the law. The American Bar Association has designated the 2017 Law Day theme to be “The Fourteenth Amendment: Transforming American Democracy” in recognition of the numerous contributions to American law and society of one of the most often cited constitutional enactments. The Fourteenth Amendment, in the nearly century and a half that has elapsed since its ratification, has greatly expanded the constitutional protections available to all through its clauses guaranteeing due process and equal protection. The Amendment has served as the vehicle by which many of the protections in the Bill

of Rights have been found to be enforceable against state and local government actions that infringe upon fundamental liberties. It has served as the basis of and inspiration for landmark civil rights legislation and court decisions protecting and advancing the rights of Americans.

The Omaha Bar Association is proud to celebrate the rule of law in our country and promote public understanding of the roots of our freedom are an important component in the civic education of the citizens of the United States. Law Day will be commemorated by the OBA on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at a Luncheon at the Omaha Marriott in Regency Circle.

Thank you to the following attorneys who volunteered to speak with grade school children about the importance of the rule of law in the United States:Howard KaslowLarry RolandScott HahnAmanda LyonSarah HartJamie HermansonJimmy Pinkham IIIBrandie Fowler

Law Day’s ‘Lawyers In The Classroom’ Initiative

Lindsay BelmontTony HernandezDoug LawAlex LawKamron HasanDann EricksonBrent MeyerRyann Glenn

Alan ThelenJennifer JerramJennifer TaylorChris PoynorMary EllistonAutumn NobleTom StrigenzMandy Gruhlkey

Claire HillanAdrian PetrescuAnnette FarnanAndrew SchillMichael MiloneCheree HatfieldBen Scheuring

Attorney Larry Roland explains the practical appli-cations of the 14th Amendment to a joint meeting of two sixth-grade classes at St. Margaret Mary. The students gave as good as they got, asking insightful questions and demonstrating a grasp of the issues.

Lawyers in the Classroom is a program where lawyers and judges visit 6th grade classes. Speaker Roland is circled in the background!

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If you watch the local news on television, chances are you see Don Kleine being interviewed regularly. Kleine, Douglas County Attorney since 2006, is arguably the most recognizable attorney in Omaha. In his role as top prosecutor, Kleine has the unique position of being, essentially, the public’s educator on the criminal law and procedure. To be sure, he takes the educator role seriously. “Everyone in a criminal case has a role—from the judge, to the prosecutor, to the defense counsel, to the witnesses and jury,” Kleine explains. “As long as we all perform our roles correctly and to the best of our abilities, the system will work.” Kleine has consistently and patiently explained and educated the public, via the local news media, about the elements of criminal cases, and what he as prosecutor needs to do to meet the burden of proof.

Don’s work as educator doesn’t just stop when the camera lights are turned off. Kleine is an adjunct professor at Creighton University School of Law, and spends time teaching new OPD officers, and County Attorney Office attorneys around the state. As the head of 60 attorneys in his office, Don also mentors many of his own staff, as well as attorneys outside his office.

Kleine, an Omaha native, has spent 3 decades in public service. After graduating Creighton Law in 1978, then Douglas County Attorney Pinky Knowles hired Kleine, and he spent the next 5 years in the office. Then, after a stint in private practice, Kleine returned to the Douglas County Attorney’s office in 1991. From there, as they say, “the rest is history.”

Kleine and his office are actively involved in OBA activities, including Law Day’s Mock Trial at Judge Strom’s courtroom, and in showing new attorneys the ropes as part of our Walk Through the Courts Program every fall. Kleine also enjoys leading his crew of attorneys in an annual game of softball against the ragtag Omaha Barristers Club. Kleine, out of action in 2016 due to back surgery, told this reporter that “there’s been a lot of off-season practice” by his squad to redeem the County Attorney’s Office after their defeat last year.

When asked what is his motivation, after personally trying over 200 jury trials, Kleine shrugs and says, “I love this kind of work. To me, this position and this office, gives me a chance to do something for the community every day. Sometimes it’s putting the bad guy away for public safety, sometimes we are working with the drug treatment court program or the new veteran’s court treatment program or diversion to keep people out of the system.” Kleine gives a lot of credit to the team he works with for their role. “I have great people here, a tremendous staff. I’m very

fortunate.”

When asked what his advice is for new attorneys, Kleine says he says the pitfall he sees are attorneys taking zealous advocacy (in its proper form) by opposing counsel as a personal attack. He advises a specific course of action to stave off such animosity. “Keep things collegial. Go represent your client to the best of your ability. Then, after the case, invite the opposing counsel out for a cocktail. It’s important to understand that we are all doing our jobs, and playing our role in the process. We have a tremendous high quality of people and character [in the Omaha legal community]. Mutual respect is important.”

When asked for comment, OBA Public Service Committee Chair Larry Roland stated, “the Robert M. Spire Public Service Award is presented to an attorney or attorney organization that has made a long-term commitment to enhancing the public’s knowledge of the law while providing legal services to the community. Don Kleine’s years of service – as the Douglas County Attorney, as the Nebraska Attorney General’s Chief of the Criminal Bureau, as past president of the Nebraska County Attorneys Association, and as a member of the Boards of Directors for the National District Attorney’s Association and Project Harmony to name a few of the roles Don has served the community in – truly demonstrates his commitment to our community’s knowledge and access to the law. Don has set a high bar for the Robert M. Spire Public Service Award and we are honored to add his name to our list of past recipients.”

The Public Service Award was initiated at the 1983 Law Day. Two Awards are presented each year at Law Day. The Robert M. Spire Public Service Award is presented to an attorney or attorney organization, and the Omaha Bar Association Public Service Award is presented to a non-attorney individual or organization. The criteria under consideration for the award includes: (1) The public’s knowledge of the law or the legal system has been enhanced in some significant way by the recipient’s efforts; (2) The recipient has focused on providing service to the community for purposes other than pecuniary profits; and (3) The recipient has demonstrated long term commitment to the enhancement of the public’s knowledge of the law.

2017 OBA Public Service Awards

Robert M. Spire Public Service Award Recipient: Don Kleine

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For 25 years, Doris Huffman has served as the Executive Director of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, and over those years, thousands of Nebraska students have learned about the legal system through the high school mock trial program spearheaded by the Foundation. As NSBA Executive Director Liz Neeley puts it, “The mock trial program, in particular, provides such a valuable way to: educate our state’s high school students about the law; further develop students’ critical thinking and public speaking skills; and kindle students’ interest in becoming a member of Nebraska’s legal profession. The success of Nebraska’s program is in large part due to the devotion of Doris Huffman and the relationships she’s built with Nebraska lawyers and educators.”

Huffman’s excitement and pride over the Nebraska High School Mock Trial Competition is evident to any observer, and for good reason. The program, started in 1983, has grown Nebraska high school students and schools into formidable national competitors. In 2016, the team from Duchesne Academy took second place at the National High School Mock Trial competition, after being named the national champions in 2015. Scutt Catholic had previously held the highest honor for any Nebraska team, taking 3rd in 2013. The mission of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation to promote law-related education programs is strong through the work of the mock trial competition, Huffman says.

Hon. Lyle Strom, who has been working with Huffman for decades with Mock Trial, and had this to say when notified that she would be receiving the OBA Public Service Award: “Doris Huffman is the backbone of the Nebraska High School Mock Trial program. She is heavily involved in recruiting and maintaining volunteer attorneys and others to assist with the competition -- this is no small feat. Her demeanor and personality play a large part in her success in this endeavor. She is respectful yet diligent in working with the students as well as the volunteers. She is also involved in the National Mock Trial program and has assisted there annually. This year she will be receiving the Golden Gavel Award in recognition of that service. I can think of no one more deserving of both of these awards.”

In addition to all her work with mock trial, Doris oversees a number of educational programs, a dozen endowments of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, and also serves as Executive Director of the Nebraska

OBA Public Service Award Recipient: Doris HuffmanLawyers Trust Account Foundation. For those who don’t know, all interest generated on IOLTA (Interest-Only Trust Accounts) is collected and disbursed to Legal Aid of Nebraska, as directed by the Nebraska Supreme Court Rules. The programs of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation include coordinating Law Day celebrations around the state, educating the public on legal rights acquired when reaching the age of majority, and student loan forgiveness for lawyers going into public service

practice. The endowments overseen include a number of scholarship funds. The Roman L. Hruska Institute for the Administration of Justice endowment has assisted in bringing U.S. Supreme Court Justices to Nebraska, including Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Chief Justice John Roberts. One the highlights of Huffman’s career, she noted, was during Justice Roberts’ visit. She asked if he would take questions from high school students, and Justice Roberts agreed, and so they had students from around the state ask questions, and he answered a few. Says Huffman, “That was really neat. I mean, how many high school kids can say that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court answered my question?”

A part of Huffman’s job that has taken off lately is the PEOPLE Committee, which has been integral in getting cameras allowed in courtrooms statewide, which went into effect earlier this spring. Doris explained, “Building that relationship with the media so that they are comfortable in talking to members of the judiciary and vice versa, that the judges are comfortable visiting with members of the media, because there’s trust there, there’s a relationship there. That’s important. Those relationships don’t form overnight; it takes time. That committee has been reorganized and reinvigorated over the past two years, and is exciting to where they will be in even five years.”

Huffman knows she owes a great deal to her volunteer leaders of the Foundation, and those who have given so generously to the Foundation. “I work with a lot of really great volunteers. They truly care about the mission. It’s inspiring to work with them.”

The Omaha Bar Association is proud to present Doris Huffman with the 2017 Omaha Bar Association Public Service Award for her dedicated 25 years of service.

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The Omaha Bar Association is proud to present Amy L. Longo with the OBA Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Law Day Luncheon. Longo, who has served in OBA leadership for decades, including the role of President from 2007-2008, joins just 10 other recipients of this top honor. Criteria for award recipients include: (1) Exemplary service to the profession, (2) Support and service to the Omaha Bar Association, (3) Innovative contributions to improving justice, and (4) Longstanding commitment to mentoring in the law. Over her 37 years of practice, Longo has embodied these criteria, and followed the mantra, “Showing up is an important part of being a lawyer.”

Born in Omaha to a physician father, nurse mother, Amy joined 5 of her brothers and both of her sisters in the medical field, becoming a nurse practitioner after attending college at Creighton University. After approximately 6 years, however, Longo decided to change careers, and attended Creighton University School of Law. Graduating in 1979, Longo joined the firm of Ellick, Spire, and Jones law firm, and began her career at the firm that now includes her name in its title. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Amy gravitated to a practice in health law and employment law.

Amy remembers those early years in practice as important in her development as a lawyer, and as an involved bar association member. She didn’t have too far to look to find mentors on both

fronts: senior partners Alfred G. Ellick and Robert M. Spire had both served as OBA President, and left their mark on legal practice. Ellick founded the OBA Lawyer Referral Service, the program which serves to connect members of the public with attorneys who can answer their legal questions, and continues in the same public service mission to this day, 55

years later. Bob Spire is well known for his work founding the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project, which coordinates pro bono legal assistance by attorneys. When she looks back on those early years, Amy says Al Ellick taught her a great deal “about how to approach legal issues,” while the Spire emphasized the altruistic public-service role of a lawyer, and was “always trying to help promote justice for other people.”

Longo was directed by both Ellick and Spire to join the OBA and NSBA, and start attending meetings regularly. After a few years, Amy started to get involved. And soon, she became very involved, on many different levels. Modest by nature, Longo underemphasizes how much “showing up” she’s done over the years,

how many countless hours she’s donated as a volunteer to bar associations, to mentoring, to improving the profession. But her work stands for itself, and shows an incredible compendium of involvement that deserves recognition and congratulations.

In addition to serving as the first female president of the Nebraska State Bar Association in 1999-2000 and OBA President a few years after that, a review of Longo’s work includes the following: Board of Directors of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation; Chair of the NSBA Committee on Volunteer Legal Services; Chair of the OBA Lawyer Referral Service Committee; NSBA House of Delegates; OBA Executive Council; Adjunct Professor at UNMC and at Creighton University School of Law; and NSBA Delegate to the American Bar Association.

Amy continues on in her practice, and is always a phone call away for attorneys looking for counsel and guidance. When asked what advice she has for young attorneys, she replies, “I believe we all have something to offer, whether our talent is an inch or mile deep. We can all do our part to keep our legal community strong and supportive.”

When notified she would be receiving the award, Longo said, “I’m so very honored by this.” In terms of being honored, we at the OBA also feel honored; honored that Amy has dedicated so much of herself to a lifetime of involvement and leadership in the local legal community.

OBA Lifetime Achievement Award: Amy Longo

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July 19, 2017Divorce Law

May 17, 2017Employment Law

They Took Us Out to the Ballgame!

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Just the Basics CLE…on Personal Injury

New to the OBA in 2017, the Young Lawyers Division is hosting a series of 1 hour CLEs on varying areas of the law. The series is entitled “Just the Basics” and entails the providing of overviews of distinct areas of law practice, presented by young lawyers.

The third event, held at Corkscrew Wine and Cheese at Blackstone in January, had Jeremiah D. Elliott of Hauptman O’Brien Wolf & Lathrop and Julie D. Tabor (Pham) of Sibbernsen Strigenz & Sibbernsen presenting the topic of Personal Injury.

The next event, held at Corkscrew Wine and Cheese at Blackstone on May 17, will feature Kenneth M. Wentz III of Jackson Lewis presenting on Employment Law. Another Basics CLE will take place on July 19 in the area of Divorce Law, co-presented by Hannah Wooldridge and Angela Lennon. A Bankruptcy Law hour will be added this fall, date TBD.

All “Just the Basics” CLEs are held from 4-5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays, and the cost to OBA members is just $10 per hour ($25 for non-menbers).

Don’t let the “YLD” in the name mislead you; these CLEs are open to all attorneys!

In Need of AssistanceCivil Jury Verdicts

The OBA Newsletter Committee is seeking a volunteer to help with the compilation of our Douglas County Civil Jury Verdicts.

Those familiar with the OBA Newsletter knows that the Civil Jury Verdicts have been a mainstay of the publication going back into the 1980s. The succinct distillation of complex cases, decided with a verdict in our local courts

and in front of a civilian jury is one of the most popular installments.

Here’s Our Mission: We are in search for one or two members interested in compiling the CJV’s. Think you have what it takes to be in print in front of the membership 4 times a year? Email Dave at dave@omahabarassociation.com if you’re interested.

Veteran lawyers like Tom Shomaker bring their experi-ence to the forum.

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Field Day 2017

Monday, July 24at the beautiful

Chammpions Run

NEW FOR 2017: Golfers have the option to choose between playing in the full scramble format or roll their luck in the Play-Your-Own-Ball format (AKA the Traditional OBA Field Day format).

HOLE #2

HOLE #16

It’s baaaack!

Now Taking Reservations! Email Dave at dave@omahabarassociation.com to reserve your foursome a spot.

AM and PM Golf Flights; Tennis Tournament; Trap

Shooting Golf: $95 per person (in-cludes lunch and prizes) Reception & Dinner: $25

per person

OBA Members Only Event

No matter someone’s status, they are each granted the same rights and privileges of the United States Constitution. This is because of the transformative Fourteenth Amendment. The reasons that this amendment is so prominent are found mainly in its first clause. Although it assures citizenship, due process, and equal protection, the latter two are the bases for many influential judicial decisions that have shaped our country.

First of all, without the due process that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees, the government would be allowed to take away fundamental rights without a hearing. These rights include life, liberty, and property. Before the government can infringe on any of these rights, an individual must be provided an opportunity to be heard fairly. In the case of Rippo v. Baker, the United States Supreme Court determined that Rippo’s due process

rights were violated because the risk that the judge was biased was too great to be constitutionally tolerated.

Most frequently people rely upon the Fourteenth Amendment for equal protection. Ranging from Brown v. Board of Education to Obergefell v. Hodges, citizens have relied upon this clause to secure equal treatment. Through cases such as these, the judicial branch has translated the Constitution to define what is socially acceptable. Clearly, the equal protection clause has shaped our society.

In conclusion, the Fourteenth Amendment has transformed our country because it guarantees due process, citizenship, and equal protection. Without the Fourteenth Amendment, rights could be siphoned, citizenship could be minimized, and equal protection would be a myth.

Law Day’s Winning EssayThe Transformative Fourteenth Amendment

By Zach WeisGretna Middle School, 8th Grade

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OBA Annual Ethics & Professionalism Seminar

J. Scott Paul Hon. Laurie Smith Camp Steve Sieberson Rich Hoffman

The 11th annual Seminar on Ethics & Professionalism attracted a standing-room-only crowd on April 7 at Creighton University. It is a joint venture of the Omaha Bar Associa-tion and the Creigh-ton School of Law.

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Nebraska Paralegal Association News

For more information on NePA events, membership and career opportunities, visit our website, read our e-zine the In Brief on our website at www.nebraskaparalegal.org, and check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=nebraska%20paralegal%20association%20

The Nebraska Paralegals Association hosted their annual Law Day Poster Contest for 5th graders in the metro area. The winner’s poster, incorporating the Law Day theme, appears on a billboard near 78th and Dodge.

1st Place Alexa Hall Pine Creek Elementary School, Bennington Teacher: Mrs. Kathleen Cannon

2nd Place Maxwell “Max” Elwood

Pine Creek Elementary School, Bennington Teacher: Mrs. Kathleen Cannon

3rd Place Asal Mohammadi Brownell Talbot Teacher: Kristi Schmidt-Herrera

Tom Tilden and Sandi Armstrong chaired the project.NePA awards cash prizes every year on Law Day to the winners.

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By Lynda Henningsen, President

OMAHA LEGAL PROFESSIONALS ASSN.

Greetings everyone! It is with much pleasure that I announce this year’s OLPA executive board, who were recently installed at our 20th Annual Awards Banquet, Installation of Officers and Boss Appreciation event that was held April 19, 2017 at Arbor Hall. The Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon served as our Master of Ceremonies and installed the following officers:• Lynda Henningsen, President• Shirley Simmonds, ALS, Vice President• Dave Raddatz, Secretary• Jeanne Mangimelli, Treasurer• Donna Olson, Chapter Representative

Laura Cejka was honored as this year’s Legal Professional of the Year. Laura has been employed by the Lamson Dugan & Murray law firm since April of 2015. She is the legal assistant to Cathy S. Trent-Vilim. Before joining Lamson Dugan, Cejka worked at the Fitzgerald Schorr firm for approximately 15 years.

In recognizing Cejka’s attributes, Ms. Trent-Vilim spoke of Laura’s work ethic, professionalism, willingness to try new things and communication skills, as well as her genuine desire to always do the right thing in the right way. But above all else, she is a kind and good-hearted person.

Aaron C. Wegner of Sands Wegner, PLC/Husker Law was honored as Boss of the Year. Wegner received this distinction upon the recommendation of Valentina Saavedra of Attorney’s Bankruptcy Paralegal.

Wegner was a founding partner of Sands Wegner, PLC in 2013. Prior to that, he worked at an Omaha law firm where he specialized in insurance defense and workers’ compensation litigation. He has also served as managing counsel and senior counsel for a national title underwriter.

Saavedra recognized her boss for this appreciation to his staff, his dedication to his clients and his love of his family. She also spoke of her admiration for him in how he faces life’s challenges every single day with a smile on his face.

Additionally, Ellen Prochaska, a current student at Creighton University was awarded OLPA’s $1,000 scholarship. Ellen plans to become an attorney and has been accepted into the Creighton University School of Law

starting this fall. The $500 scholarship was awarded to Tim Urbanski. Tim is a senior at Creighton Preparatory School.

Through his experience on Creighton Prep’s Mock Trial team, Tim has set the career goal of becoming an attorney, and is deciding between attending college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Creighton University.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

At this year’s Law Day event on May 2, OLPA members Donna Olson, Jeanne Mangimelli and Jean Roeder will proudly present our Law Day Essay Contest winners with their

awards. Ms. Erica Walsh’s student, Zach Weis, from Gretna Middle School came in 1st place. The title of his impressive essay was “The Transformative Fourteenth Amendment.” Ms. Lori Wewell’s student, Bella Donovan, also from Gretna Middle School came in 2nd. The 3rd place winner was Lauren Roecker, a student from Mr. Greg Gorski’s class at St. Pius X/St. Leo Catholic School. Congratulations to all these talented students and their teachers.

This is the beginning of OLPA’s year and a great time to become involved. We are a professional organization open to all persons employed in or interested in work of a legal nature. Many opportunities are available in the areas of networking, professional development, education and leadership. If you would like to learn more about our organization, please visit our website, www.nebraskalegalprofessionals.org/OLPA, or feel free to contact me at lhenningsen@omahadailyrecord.com.

Omaha Bar Association Newsletter

Managing Editors:Stephen M. BrucknerDavid RileyDave Sommers

Contributing Reporters: Lynda HenningsenHon. Doug JohnsonDave Sommers

Photographers:Donna Birkby, Lorraine Boyd, and Dave SommersSome photos courtesy of The Daily Record

Design by: Lorraine Boyd, Avant Garde Publications

Printed by: Elman & Co.

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May 2 Tuesday Law Day Lunch Omaha Marriott (Regency)

17 Wednesday “Just the Basics” CLE: Employment Law Corkscrew Wine and Cheese (Midtown)

19 Friday OBA Memorial Service Douglas County Legislative Chambers

June 15 Thursday Omaha Barristers Club Steak Fry Elmwood Park Pavilion July 19 Wednesday “Just the Basics” CLE: Divorce Law Corkscrew Wine and Cheese (Midtown)

24 Monday OBA Field Day (It’s Back!) Champions Run

September 7 Thursday 47th Annual Fall Kickoff BBQ First National Wealth Management

Please check the calendar on the OBA’s Website for more details on upcoming scheduled events.

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