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 David Aaron Jacobson
April 18, 1948 – July 4, 2018Jacobson Leaves a Four-decade Legacy
 Independence Day took on new meaning for friends and colleagues of David A. Jacobson, who served as chairman of Kutak Rock law firm for 21 years until stepping down last fall.
An independent thinker, David Jacobson died July 4 at home, surrounded by his family – wife Nancy, daughters Rachel and Sara and sons Ben and Justin – at the age of 70. He had battled health issues for a decade and had stepped down from his post as chair of his firm last September. He had also been appointed to the MECA board, but stepped down because of his health.
Accolades have been pouring in from near and far. Not only did he tower over most of his peers physically at 6-foot-5, he towered over the legal community as well as the Omaha community at large, with his intellect
as well as his wit and kindness.
He won people over with a “sparkle in his eye,” his “dry sense of humor,”
and the fact that he was, according to his successor Jay Selanders, “a bit of an imp.” A tall imp, who was honored time and time again for his legal prowess and his social conscience.
Jacobson fervently followed in the footsteps of Kutak Rock co-founder Robert Kutak, who intended that the firm hold an unwavering commitment
to community and broader public interests. He was also an early and passionate believer in diversity … and in the creation of inclusive excellence
as a defining core value of the firm in all of its offices.
Since the founding of the firm, Kutak Rock attorneys have had a deep commitment to giving back to their communities through volunteer, pro bono and charitable engagement programs.
That commitment runs through every level of the firm, from executive management to support staff, and is one of the pillars of the firm’s value system.
“We are privileged to be able to do this. Our people give back in various
ways. It is critical to give back to the community. I started my career at Legal Aid when Bob Kutak was on the national board,” Jacobson was quoted saying.
James D. Arundel concurred: “Among David’s many accomplishments was his dedication to the values of the firm’s great founder, Robert Kutak.”
He is being remembered by many as one who supported and encouraged
others, especially in areas promoting diversity and advancement of women.
One woman who benefitted from his support was his daughter, Rachel, whom he helped to establish and grow Omaha’s non-profit Film Streams organization.
Online, Barry Zoob, a friend for 60 years, remembered, “You could never win an argument on the subject of basketball even though at 6’ 5”, David would rather shoot threes from the perimeter than battle for a rebound.”
He added, “He was a man of great character, passion and incredibly
funny. David, you made an indelible impression on our community, and your life was unfairly too short.”
– Photo by Lorraine Boyd
Drug Court Graduation Total Nearing 2,000
For the 101st time, the judges, court staff and program participants gathered, in the Legislative Chambers of the Omaha-Douglas County Civic Center to complete the journey for 15 new Adult Drug Court graduates. That brings the total number of individuals who have graduated to 1,979. There are more than 100 active clients in the program. Here, Douglas County District Court Judge Gary Randall (left) and Judge Gregory Schatz conducted the ceremony, including the dismissal of felony charges, on June 27. The next commencement ceremony is scheduled for September 26.
 Pete Thompson, chief information officer, helped organize the Chamber’s latest move.
Chamber Begins Celebration of 125 Years
By Julien R. Fielding
The Daily Record
For a few years, the leadership and board at the Greater Omaha Chamber had been talking about what to do with their space at 1301 Harney St. They had occupied the building for 35 years, and they were looking for a change.
But should they remodel or move? “We wanted to stay downtown, where the development was happening, but we wanted a more modern look,” said Pete Thompson, chief information officer.
They found their answer when space became available on the top floor at 808 ConAgra Dr. (formerly Building #5), Suite 400. Construction started in December 2017, the Chamber began moving in April, and by April 27 they were up and ready to serve their members.
“We did a lot of design work, had to add a few walls, and bought some new furniture,” added Thompson, who organized the move. “It’s a great place to be.”
On Tuesday, June 5, they decided to show it off to its members during this month’s Coffee & Contacts. For full story, click here. The next Coffee & Contacts will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on August 9 at 75 North.
For more photos CLICK HERE
 From left, Nicole Albers, a paralegal at Legal Aid of Nebraska; Michelle Lee, a paralegal student at Metro Community College and Dave Sommers, executive director of the Omaha Bar Association, share notes during the Lawyers in the City event.
Legal Advice: Bringing It to the People
By Lorraine Boyd
& Carol Cleaver
The Daily Record
Omaha area lawyers and non-lawyers participated in the fourth “Lawyers in the City” event – a free, one-day, walk-in clinic coordinated by the Volunteer Lawyers Project in collaboration with Creighton Law School Milton Abrahams Legal Clinic, Immigrant Legal Center, Legal Aid of Nebraska, Midlands Bar Association, Omaha Bar Association, Women’s Center for Advancement and Metropolitan Community College Student Paralegal Association.
Dave Sommers, executive director of the Omaha Bar Association and event volunteer, said, “We were able to give people some advice, but often, we were just there to listen. People sometimes need someone to listen to their story, then help them decide what to do. This is a perfect, non-threatening way to ask for help.” Click here for full story
SECURITY NATIONAL BANK APPOINTS NEW TRUST OFFICER
 Security National Bank of Omaha proudly announces Joseph Borghoff as a trust officer in the wealth management division. Borghoff is based at the bank’s headquarters at Three Pacific Place, 1120 S. 101st Street in Omaha. In his role, Borghoff will be responsible for administering trusts, estates and conservatorship appointments. Additionally, he will assist individuals in developing their financial and estate plans in an effort of achieving their life goals.
Borghoff has nearly 10 years of experience in financial and law services. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, master’s degree from Bellevue University, and a doctoral degree from Creighton University School of Law. Borghoff also served as a lead editor for the Creighton Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Board.
For more information on Security National Bank, please visit the their website at www.snbconnect.com.
 Former FBI Agent Joins
The Goosmann Law Firm
 Jeana Goosmann, CEO & Managing Partner of the Goosmann Law Firm, is pleased to announce that Former FBI agent Robert L. Kardell has joined their team as an attorney at their Omaha, Nebraska law firm location. Kardell will be focusing his practice on cybersecurity and bank fraud. Kardell has 22 years of experience working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Supervisory Senior Resident Agent, Special Agent, Program Coordinator for Public Corruption, Complex Financial Crime, Healthcare Fraud and Domestic Terrorism. Over the years Kardell has encountered numerous cyber-crimes allowing him to better advocate for clients while preventing and responding to an array of cybersecurity and fraud issues.
As an attorney, Kardell helps businesses and banks arm themselves during cyber investigations and cybersecurity attacks. He is proactive in his approach working with clients on employee policies and general computer and IT standards to shield them against bigger issues like employee theft and leaking trade secrets. Kardell provides C-Suite Executives an unparalleled advantage in protecting their trade secrets and most sensitive data. He helps his banking clients during cyber policy audits and reviews for applications such as FFIEC audit reviews, online banking policies, FinCEN reports and KYC policy reviews and breach notification policies.
Kardell’s well-rounded experience is beneficial to his clients’ unique situations as he carries with him an MBA in business administration; Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF); Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE); AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE); A+ Computer Certification; and Network + Computer Certification. Kardell received his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law, Masters of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska College of Business, and undergraduate degree at Benedictine College. He is licensed to practice in Nebraska.
For more information on Goosmann Law Firm, please visit the firm’s website at www.GoosmannLaw.com.
Baird Holm LLP Welcomes Mark J. Goldsmith
 Baird Holm LLP is pleased to welcome Mark J. Goldsmith to the firm as a member of the Labor, Employment & Employee Benefits practice group. His practice focuses on all aspects of employment litigation, including defending claims of discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination. Prior to joining the firm, hwpracticed for more than ten years in California, focusing primarily on employment, commercial, trade-secret and professional-liability litigation.
Goldsmith received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, before graduating from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2006. He is a licensed and active member of the Nebraska and California bars, and has litigated extensively in both state and federal court. Goldsmith is a fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and he has been recognized on multiple occasions as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers®.
“Mark’s experience has enabled him to hit the ground running,” said Baird Holm Managing Partner, Richard E. Putnam. “He enhances our growing Employment Law group, and we are thrilled to have him join the team.”
For more information regarding Baird Holm LLP please visit the firm’s website at www.bairdholm.com. |  The crew at Premier Claims is proud of its commitment to advocate for the “little guy” in David v. Goliath situations.
Small Business of the Month
Premier Claims Helps Clients Navigate Murky Waters of Insurance
By Emily Kerr
The Daily Record
Sometimes one sentence, date or clause can make all the difference as to whether an insurance policy will pay an insurance claim. Fortunately, companies like The Omaha Chamber’s Small Business of the Month, Premier Claims, exist to help homeowners when elements like wind, hail, and fire damage their property.
Soon to be located at 1079 North 205th Avenue in Elkhorn, Premier Claims’ primary function is to ensure
that property owners get their fair share from insurance payouts once they have been denied. Gil Shalmon, building consultant and public adjuster for Premier, explained,
“Anybody who owns a property that has been damaged … once an insurance company tells them ‘no,’ they don’t really have much recourse.
We do; we have license to look at policy and statutes and the legal side.”
Licensed to practice in multiple states, Gil continued, “Some insurance companies lobby in some states to the point that we don’t even have people who do what we do.” In states like Alabama, for example, the only recourse against an insurance company on a denied claim is to sue in a court of law. This makes Premier Claims’ job extremely important, as they are advocating for the individual against large corporations on a day-to-day basis. Click here for full story
 A’Jamal Byndon is Douglas County’s new Disproportionate Minority Contact.
– Photo by Lorraine Boyd
The Town Crier
A’Jamal Byndon Brings ‘Fearlessness, Tact’
To New Role as County’s Minority Contact
By Andy Roberts
The Daily Record
The office is not glamorous - a simple cubicle on the fourth floor of the Omaha Douglas Civic Center – but you’re probably never going to find A’Jamal Byndon there anyway.
He’s more likely to meet you somewhere for a cup of coffee, because, sadly, even in 2018, the work he does remains sensitive.
The long-time advocate for social justice and those in need was named earlier this year as Douglas County’s first Disproportionate Minority Contact and Compliance Coordinator. It seems he’s been preparing for this latest battle against racism all his life.
Douglas County Commissioner Chris Rodgers released a statement when Byndon was hired and pointed to his long-time dedication to fairness in the juvenile justice system.
“I’m glad to have him on our team to help solve this issue,” Rodgers said. “He brings a fearlessness and a tact to this that I respect and I look forward to working with him.”
The second of 14 children, Byndon and an older brother were born in Hastings, Neb. He grew up in Omaha where the other dozen siblings were born. The oldest and youngest, both male, died as relatively young adults. Byndon has been married 39 years and the couple has four adult children.
His social activism may have been inherited. Click here for full story
Need for Donations Never Ends
By Lorraine Boyd
The Daily Record
The general public often doesn’t know all that the legal community does on a volunteer basis. Lawyers give of their time, expertise and money in many ways. Besides the tremendous amount of pro-bono work they do, they also respond to calls for help.
In one case, The Lydia House/Open Door Mission put out the call for diapers/pull-ups and McGrath North’s law firm responded with a gift of more than 80,000 of them over the past four years.
Brenda Jenny, the firm’s director of business development and marketing, said, “The firm has been donating diapers/pull-ups to The Lydia House/Open Door Mission for four years. This year, we collected over 16,000 pull-ups.
“We always hold an internal contest between floors, to spur on the competitive drive that we all have. The winning floor receives a catered lunch, but for the past two years, the winning team forgoes the lunch and we use those monies to buy more diapers.”
In 2013 the firm created a Philanthropy Committee called Outreach 365 that runs and manages some of its donation efforts, Jenny said. She has been a co-chair of the committee since its inception. Click here for full story
 Scholarship Founders Karen (left) and Ross Pesek kick the evening off with a picture with the night’s speaker, Fatima Flores Laguna. – Photos by Zach Wagner Photography Scholarships Quintuple in Five Years
As Immigrants Find Their True Potential By Lorraine Boyd
The Daily Record
The True Potential Scholarship Program is now five years old and its meteoric rise is a testament to the founders, Ross and Karen Pesek of Pesek Law.
The program focuses on creating opportunities for young immigrants and is funded by private donors and private institutional funds. Since 2014, True Potential has awarded more than 70 one-year (they may be renewable) scholarships.
The recipients are “Dreamers,” young immigrants ineligible for most higher education government funding. Since Ross was a graduate of a community college before going on to earn his bachelor’s and law degree, he knows the value of community colleges in getting a quality, affordable education. Karen also attended community college, then a four-year college, on a scholarship.  Scholarship winners line up waiting to take the stage as their names are called. Ross and Karen, a native of Mexico, decided to help others have the same advantage they had by attending a community college.
Since starting Pesek Law, Ross and Karen have dedicated much of their efforts towards helping others in their community. Ross opened a free legal clinic in South Omaha at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where he gives free legal advice in Spanish every Monday night. He has met with over 1,500 people in six years at the clinic. Ross has also announced immigration reforms to thousands at local churches and personally helped well over 200 people brought to this country as children to obtain DACA. Ross has a thriving legal practice that is heavily influenced by Spanish-speaking immigrants. Karen is the director of finance and community liaison of the firm. Click here for full story and names of winners
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|  St.Pius X/St. Leo teacher Greg Gorski prefers to put his students in the spotlight while he takes a back seat. Here, he is pictured with the three 2018 Law Day Essay Contest winners: from left, Meg Raabe, second place; Gigi Salerno, first place; and Abby Wessling, third place. – Photo by Lorraine Boyd Gorski Applies His Legal Knowledge From Students to Clients and Back Again By Andy Roberts
The Daily Record
Somehow, it just seemed right.
Greg Gorski is in his third career, or first career for the second time, teaching U.S. History at St. Pius X/St. Leo Catholic School in Omaha. Along the way, the lessons he learned as a law student and as a lawyer are helping him and his students succeed both in the classroom and in Law Day competitions.
But let’s turn back the clock. A life-long Notre Dame and Chicago Cubs fan, Greg taught and coached junior high and high school students for five years while he earned his master’s degree in U.S. History.
He left the teaching profession to attend Notre Dame Law School. After graduation he moved to Omaha to begin work in the legal profession, which he stayed in for 26 years.
He decided to go back and get a Nebraska teaching certificate and began substitute teaching. When a job opportunity opened to teach U.S. History, he looked forward to being back in the classroom. Now it is the students of St. Pius X/St. Leo who are benefitting from his many experiences. He has found a tremendous connection in how the law correlates with teaching history. Click here for full story
 Judge Mark Ashford, left, and Sen. John McCollister, right, congratulate the Veterans Treatment Court graduates at the ceremony June 27. – Photos by Lorraine Boyd
Veterans Treatment Court Honors Graduates
By Lorraine Boyd
The Daily Record
Their journey started well over a year ago. Four veterans, who had pled guilty to felonies, had joined more than a dozen more participating in the new Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court, an alternative to incarceration. And on June 27, they celebrated their graduation from the program.
For their hard work – keeping a job, treating their addictions, paying restitution if necessary, following strict rules, meeting often with their mentors, and meeting at least every other week with the judge – they had their felony charges dismissed. If they had failed the program, they would have been sentenced for their crimes.
There were tears of joy, big smiles and inspiring words as the ceremony lauded the first participants’
success.
The graduates – Gerry Crawford, Larry Hart, Deborah Hook and Justin Polland – each took the podium
to express their thanks to a litany of people including the judge, their mentors, their families, and the many representatives of agencies assisting in their success. Click here for full story
Click here for more photos
Meetings & Seminars
For the Legal Community
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JULY 19 through JULY 22, 2018
Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
NATA 2018 Summer Meeting
The Hotel Fontaine, Country Club Plaza
Kansas City, MO
For More Information: www.nebraskatrial.com
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JULY 23, 2018
Omaha Bar Association
OBA Field Day
Champions Run
All Day with an Evening Reception
For More Information: www.omahabarassocation.com
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JULY 26, 2018
Nebraska State Bar Association
2018 Annual Health Law Seminar
Hruska Law Center
635 S 14th Street
Lincoln, NE
For More Information: www.nebar.com
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JULY 28, 2018
Nebraska State Bar Association
2018 Annual Appellate Practice Seminar
Capital Law Library
Lincoln, NE
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
For More Information: www.nebar.com
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AUGUST 28, 2018
Nebraska State Bar Association
2018 Annual Appellate Practice Seminar
Capital Law Library
Lincoln, NE
For More Information: www.nebar.com
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AUGUST 29, 2018
Nebraska State Bar Association
Emerging Issues and Hot Topics in Animal Law:
Legislation & Litigation
Scott Conference Center
6450 Pine Street, Omaha
1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
For More Information: www.nebar.com
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2018
Omaha Bar Association
48TH Annual Fall Kickoff BBQ
First National Bank
14010 FNB Parkway, Omaha
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
For More Information: www.omahabarassocation.com
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