 – Photos by Lorraine Boyd
NSBA Executive Director Liz Neeley (at podium) listens as the panel explains “how to apply for a judicial vacancy.” From left are Sarpy County District Court Judge Stefanie Martinez, newly-appointed Separate Juvenile Court for Douglas County, Judge Matthew R. Kahler, NSBA Past President Tom Maul and Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Stephanie Stacy.
Summit Offers Insights Into Diversity
The 2017 Nebraska Legal Diversity Summit was held on September 7 at Creighton University, with dozens of lawyers in attendance. The Nebraska State Bar Association event was sponsored by Creighton University School of Law, Stinson Leonard Street LLP, and the University of Nebraska College of Law. Law Student Sponsor was Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, LLP and the Pre-law Student Sponsor was Baird Holm LLP. The half-day event kicked off with words about NSBA’s new Diversity Section. The first hour explored “Ethical Considerations and LGBT Nebraskans, with Danielle Conrad and Amy Miller, ACLU of Nebraska. Ann Jenrette-Thomas of Stinson Leonard Street spoke on “Overcoming Unconscious Bias in the Legal Profession.” A panel of newly appointed judges and judicial nominating commission members (above) provided insight into applying for a judicial vacancy. The annual event offered CLE hours for Nebraska and Iowa lawyers. For more photos, click here
– Photo by Lorraine Boyd 2017 Youth Impact! Brown Bagger #3
It’s a quarterly opportunity to share information and updates on the progress related to juvenile justice and child welfare initiatives in Douglas County. The meetings were initiated a number of years ago, then dropped, and now picked up again by Juvenile Court Judge Doug Johnson and his co-chair, Nick Juliano of Boys Town. On September 7, a few dozen people met in the City-County Building to bone up on the policies, rules and discipline of Special Education. The presenter was Sarah Hayek (above), Nebraska Families Collaborative (NFC) project coordinator. The next Brown Bagger is set for November 30.
Attorney and Guardsman McIntosh
Named to Nebraska Environmental Trust Board
 Attorney Ryan K. McIntosh was appointed to The Nebraska Environmental Trust Board last week by Governor Pete Ricketts.
A member of the Mattson Ricketts law firm, McIntosh’s primary practice areas are agriculture and natural resources law, municipal law, estate planning, and civil litigation. He is a regular presenter on the topics of water law and land use. Ryan enjoys golf, hunting and being outdoors whenever he can. He grew up outside Unadilla and graduated from Syracuse High School. He earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is married to Leslie Watermeier McIntosh. They are the parents of three children – Oliver, Reagan and Calvin.
“I am honored to be appointed to this position by Governor Ricketts. I look forward to this opportunity to continue my work in wildlife habitat and conservation projects and I hope my background in natural resources and water law will allow me to be a great addition to the board,” he said.
Click here for full story
Ricketts Appoints PaTricia A. Freeman to
Second Judicial District County Judgeship
 Lincoln – Last Thursday, Governor Pete Ricketts announced his appointment of PaTricia A. Freeman to the Second Judicial District County Court of Nebraska.
Freeman, 46, is the Chief Deputy County Attorney with the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office. In her 21 years of practicing law in Nebraska, she has served as an attorney in a variety of capacities for the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office. Freeman has also served as an Adjunct Faculty Member for trial practice for Creighton University School of Law. Freeman has also served as Chair of the Nebraska State Bar Commission.
Freeman holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Creighton University School of Law.
The primary place of office for the judicial vacancy is Papillion, Sarpy County.
The vacancy is due to appointment of Judge Stefanie A. Martinez to the District Court bench.
 McGill, Gotsdiner, Workman & Lepp, P.C., L.L.O. Recognizes Lawyers
McGill, Gotsdiner, Workman & Lepp, P.C., L.L.O. would like to congratulate the following attorneys named to the 2018 The Best Lawyers in America list:
First Row:
Gary M. Gotsdiner - Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Corporate Law
Keith A. Green - Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Corporate Law
Mary L. Hewitt - Trusts and Estates, Employment Law - Management
Second Row:
Robert L. Lepp - Commercial Litigation, Elder Law
Richard D. Myers - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Nancy A. Roberts - Environmental Law
Third Row:
R. Thomas Workman - Corporate Law  In addition, Gary M. Gotsdiner was recently recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” for Corporate Law in the Omaha area. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and metropolitan area is honored as “Lawyer of the Year,” designating the high level of respect they have earned among other leading lawyers for their abilities, professionalism and integrity. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.
Based out of Omaha, McGill, Gotsdiner, Workman & Lepp, P.C., L.L.O. has been serving commercial enterprises and individual clients in a broad range of civil practice areas in the Midwest since 1975. The keystones of the firm’s culture, integrity, expertise and compassion, form the foundation for long-term client relationships and drive an exceptionally high work product. More information about the firm can be found at www.mgwl.com. Berry Law Firm Named to the 2017
Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies
Inc. Magazine announced its annual list of the fastest growing private companies in America late last month, including Berry Law Firm among its honorees based on the firm’s rapid revenue growth and commitment to innovation, service and strategy. The Inc. 5000 growth ranking is based on data from the last three years of the business’ existence, and requires nominees to demonstrate clear progression from start-up to a scaling company.
While many of the awardees are recent start-ups, Berry Law Firm has been operating since 1965 and its attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. Nonetheless, rapid growth in the past five years has placed the firm on a trajectory to be included on the list alongside the fastest growing companies in America. Past recipients of the award have included such companies as Microsoft, Under Armour, GoPro and Patagonia.
Berry Law Firm met and exceeded the qualifications for the 2017 Inc. 5000 award by growing the company consistently and rapidly without sacrificing its commitment to excellent customer service and client support. The attorneys and staff at Berry Law Firm have spent decades advocating for disabled veterans and successfully appealing thousands of unsatisfactory VA decisions, ultimately recovering over $100 million dollars in backpay for veterans.
Part of Berry Law Firm’s success in being VA disability appeals lawyers is owed to the firm’s rich military history. Founded by Vietnam veteran John Stevens Berry, and managed by Bosnia and Iraq veteran John S. Berry, Jr., the firm is proud to count many veterans among its cadre. Berry Law Firm has veterans from each of the four branches of the military, military spouses and military parents all working together to advocate for veterans disability claims.
While still practicing out of its original location in Lincoln, Nebraska, the firm also has locations in Omaha, Kansas City, and Phoenix, with plans to expand into additional markets.
For more information regarding Berry Law Firm, please go to the firm’s website at www.ptsdlawyers.com. Goosmann Law Firm Welcomes Joel Carney  Goosmann Law Firm recently announced that Joel Carney joined the firm as managing partner of their new Omaha office. Goosmann opened their new Omaha office location in the innovative and newly built Advent Building located in West Omaha in July.
Carney joins the Goosmann team with over 17 years of experience as a litigation attorney with a wide range of experience in all realms of the dispute process involving creditor’s rights, bankruptcy and litigation. During his career, he has represented financial institutions, banks, insurance companies, small and large businesses and individuals dealing with creditors’ rights issues, bankruptcy representation, personal injury, property damage litigation, wrongful death, subrogation, product liability and more.
Carney attended law school at Creighton University. He is an active member of the American Bar Association and the Iowa Bar Association and has held multiple leadership positions in the Nebraska Bar Association for decades. He is licensed to practice in Nebraska and Iowa.
For more information regarding the Goosmann Law Firm, please go to the firm’s website at http://goosmannlaw.com.
Brandie M. Fowler Joins Schirber & Wagner L.L.P.  Brandie M. Fowler recently joined Schirber & Wagner, L.L.P. Fowler is a family law litigator, mediator, negotiator and advocate for abused and neglected children.
Fowler obtained her law degree, cum laude, from the Creighton University School of Law and has since been awarded as a preeminent AV attorney among her peers. She is licensed in both the state and federal courts of Iowa and Nebraska.
For more information regarding Schirber & Wagner, L.L.P., please go to the firm’s website at schirberandwagner.com.
Simpson Legal Group, LLC Opens in Council Bluffs  Shannon D. Simpson has opened Simpson Legal Group, LLC in Council Bluffs, IA. Simpson has dedicated her legal practice to family law for the past 20 years.
Simpson earned a B.S. from Northern Arizona University in 1994 and a J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in 1997. She is admitted to practice law in both the state and federal courts of Iowa and Nebraska and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a member of the Iowa and Nebraska state and federal bar associations, the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.
For more information regarding Simpson Legal Group, LLC please go to the firm’s website at www.simpsonlegalgroup.com. |  Michelle Miller-McCoy and Niel Nielsen believe in a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere at work and it showed during their interview. Nielsen Miller-McCoy: A partnership that works By Dennis Friend
The Daily Record
“At Nielsen Miller-McCoy we take pride in applying our comprehensive legal knowledge and experience to the protection of your interests while providing you with personal attention and responsive communication. We look forward to providing you with sophisticated counsel tailored to your needs.”
When you walk into the Nielsen Miller-McCoy office at 9802 Nicholas Street, it’s not immediately evident that it’s a law firm. It seems more laid back, more friendly, more casual than one might expect.
But laid back, friendly and casual are terms that fit both the owners and the firm’s approach to estate planning and it becomes apparent fairly quickly in a conversation with Niel Nielsen and Michelle Miller-McCoy, the lawyers who opened the firm, that the atmosphere is intentional.
Nielsen and Miller-McCoy have been practicing law for two decades and specialize in the intricacies of estate planning. They had worked together for years when they decided to strike out on their own one year ago. Click here for full story
 2017 Award Recipients – Back, L to R: Paula Crouse, Tyson Jenkins, Bob Denton, Brandon Hinrichs, John Anderson. Middle, L to R: Julie Scott, Teresa Campbell, Vicki Kyles, Marlene Vetick. Front, L to R: Erin Sliva, Dustin Bartley, Kathy Cummins, Pattie Yanda. Not pictured: Shane Stutzman, Suzanne Eggert, Sara Barent.
Exceptional Judicial Branch Employees Recognized
During the 9th Annual Awards Celebration
Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Mike Heavican, presented 10 Employee Recognition Awards to individuals and team members on September 11, 2017, during the Nebraska Supreme Court’s ninth annual recognition event.
The Employee Recognition Committee selected nine individuals and one team from the nominations submitted. Candidates for the awards were chosen and nominated by their supervisors and colleagues in the courts and probation offices where they work. The purpose of the program is to recognize ongoing court and probation employee dedication, acknowledge exemplary contributions, and encourage employee commitment.
Chief Justice Mike Heavican, Court Administrator Corey Steel and Probation Administrator Ellen Fabian Brokofsky honored employees with a ceremony in the Warner Chamber of the Nebraska State Capitol. The awards are the highest honors given by the Nebraska Supreme Court recognizing exemplary performance by court and probation employees in the Nebraska Judicial System. There are over 1,800 employees in the judicial system in court and probation offices statewide. The 2017 Award Recipients include: Click here for full story
 Everything from oversized mechanical equipment to delicate musical instruments pose no problem for the craters at Craters and Freighters of Eastern Nebraska. Expertise That Delivers
Craters & Freighters of Eastern Nebraska
Wraps Up Small Business of the Month Win
By Dan McCann
The Daily Record
Over the years, the team at Craters & Freighters of Eastern Nebraska has fielded and fulfilled its share of unique requests.
“We built a custom dog crate for a St. Bernard to be shipped to England and an 85-foot crate for the roof of a passenger train. We crated Abe Lincoln’s chair that was housed at the Union Pacific Museum and a coffin built by a monk that was shipped down south. We recently built crates for the Nebraska 150 traveling art exhibit,” says owner Mike Jones.
Honored as the Greater Omaha Chamber’s September Small Business of the Month, Craters & Freighters of Eastern Nebraska is a full-service logistics company that specializes in getting items (unique or otherwise) from ‘Point A’ to ‘Point B’ quickly, affordably and in one piece. Click here for full story
 Photo by Lorraine Boyd Seated from left, Public Properties Director Jerry Leahy, Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing and Douglas County Emergency Management Agency Director Paul Johnson waited to be called to the podium by Commissioner Jim Cavanaugh.
County Embarks on Major Campus Redo
The Douglas County Administrative Services Committee took the unusual step Tuesday of holding their meeting outdoors at the Douglas County West Campus at 153rd and Maple Road. The site is about to undergo a major renovation, turning the former Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans Home into the new home of Douglas County 911, the Treasurer’s Office, Department of Motor Vehicles and other county offices. The north wing of the building has already been converted into Emergency Services.
Officials said they are pleased to bring service to the people where they live. The project is the product of the Public Safety Bond approved by voters. Demolition of the interior was to commence the day after the meeting and Cavanaugh insisted that it would be “on time and on budget.” The new occupants should be operating by February of 2019. Click here for more photos
 When he isn’t conducting a mediation, John Brownrigg can be found relaxing and reading in his back yard oasis. Mondays and Fridays are built into his calendar as non-work days.
Attorney John Brownrigg
Mediating in His ‘Sort of ’ Retirement
By Andy Roberts
The Daily Record
Sitting in his living room, in front of his big flat-screen Vizio that sees lots of baseball action, John Brownrigg recalled a life in the legal profession that continues today in his “retirement” where he works as a mediator.
Born in Detroit, Brownrigg moved here as a youngster in 1954 and it has been home since, other than for a stint in the Army. “I consider myself an Omahan,” the Creighton Prep and Creighton School of Law graduate proudly stated. Click here for full story
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CLASSIFIED ADS
____________________________ U.S. DISTRICT COURT
OF NEBRASKA
The U.S. District Court of Nebraska is accepting applications for the following positions:
Case Manager
For more information go to www.ned.uscourts.gov. The Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to achieving diversity among staff. Under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
9-21,22,25,27,28&29&10-2,4&6-17
____________________________ ____________________________ LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Established law firm in the area of 90th and Dodge seeking Legal Administrative Assistant. Ideal candidate will have at least 2 years experience in a law firm environment.
Duties: Assist in the preparation of estate planning and other various legal documents. Proof read documents for accuracy. General clerical duties such as composing and typing routine correspondence, filing, scheduling appointments, providing information to callers. Arranges for filing, recording and service of legal documents via e-filing, mail, facsimile or messenger.
Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Outlook. Above average keyboarding skills. Experience transcribing documents. Excellent intrapersonal and customer service skills. Strong attention to detail. Candidates should submit their resume to jbanker@ellickjones.com
or to 9290 West Dodge Rd., Ste. 303, Omaha, NE 68114 – Attention Jacque Banker.
NO STAFFING AGENCY INQUIRES PLEASE.
9-21-17 through 9-22-17 ____________________________ |  – Photos by Lorraine Boyd Hon. Lyle E. Strom congratulates each new citizen, presenting them with their certificates. He is assisted by his daughter, Mary B. Hawkins, president of Bellevue University (above).
New Americans Celebrated
Retiring Federal Judge Lyle E. Strom participates in his favorite ceremony for one last time at Bellevue’s Memorial Ceremony on 9/11. Each year, he leads new Americans as they take the oath of citizenship. This year, 23 proud new Americans who hailed from countries the world over became citizens. The ceremony, held at Bellevue’s American Heroes Park, honored the men and women and their families who have courageously fought for our country as well as the lives lost on that tragic day in 2001 and the first responders – firefighters, EMTs and law enforcement – who protect us every day. Also honored were Wounded Warriors and their families, who struggle daily to live complete and fulfilling lives, despite their challenges.
In addition to the citizenship ceremony, there was a roll call of Fallen Heroes from Nebraska and Western Iowa. The ringing of the “Four Fives” honored first responders, while the 13 folds of the flag honored the patriotic spirit of Americans, young and old. The explanations of the meaning of these traditions not only instructed the new citizens, but many native-born citizens as well. Click here for more photos
 Diane Battiato provides an introduction to the participants of the workshop to introduce “Landmark,” a new Register of Deeds online service.
Register of Deeds Takes Another Step
Toward Full Online Presence of Services
By Lorraine Boyd
The Daily Record
A series of training sessions last week preceded the September 18 launch of the Register of Deeds latest online service called “Landmark,” Diane Battiato, Douglas County assessor/register of deeds, said. “Landmark” is a new addition to the list of services that the office provides – an “effective, efficient, user-friendly, web-based land-records-management” system.
Workshops for “Landmark,” a product of Pioneer Technology Group, were conducted via webinar at the Omaha/Douglas Civic Center for all potential users of the new system. They had planned to conduct the workshops in person, Battiato said, but Hurricane Irma prevented the Florida-based representatives from traveling. Click here for full story
Gov. Ricketts Appoints Kale B. Burdick
To Eighth Judicial District County Judgeship  Lincoln – Last Thursday, Governor Pete Ricketts announced his appointment of Kale B. Burdick to the Eighth Judicial District County Court of Nebraska.
Burdick, 32, is currently an Assistant Attorney General at the Nebraska Department of Justice. He is also a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska. Burdick is a member of the Nebraska County Attorneys Association, and serves on the association’s Legislative Committee.
Burdick holds a Bachelor of Science in business-sociology, cum laude, from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
The primary place of office for the judicial vacancy is O’Neill, Holt County, Nebraska.
The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Alan L. Brodbeck.
 Anthony Arend, law professor and specialist in international law and just war, will speak at Creighton Friday, September 8, 2017 on preemptive use of force and the North Korea crisis.
Anthony Arend
Preemptive Use of Force To Be Addressed
By Prominent Georgetown Law Professor
By Julien R. Fielding
The Daily Record
For most of his academic career, Anthony C. Arend, professor and senior associate dean for graduate and faculty affairs in the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, has been interested in international law relating to the use of force. Click here for full story
 Attorneys Steven Hogan and Patrick S. Cooper both work at Fraser Stryker PC LLO. Hogan offers high praise regarding Cooper: “He’s the best we’ve got.
Meet the OBA
‘Never Any Doubt’ About Cooper’s Choice of Career
By Dennis Friend
The Daily Record
In Patrick S. Cooper’s mind, there never was a question as to whether or not he was going to be a lawyer. The 40-year-old attorney said he knew, even while he was growing up in Bartlesville, Okla., he was going to practice law.
“As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a lawyer,” Cooper said. His father was an attorney for Phillips Petroleum Co., though he did a different kind of law, focusing on such areas as pipeline and environmental law.
He remembered in particular a youth court program offered when he was in the eighth grade.
“The eighth- through twelfth-graders could participate in the juvenile court system and take on roles like bailiff, prosecutor, defense attorney, judge…. I participated for five years and tried just about every role they had.”
In fact, Cooper’s laser-like focus on entering the legal field prompted his relocation to Omaha. Click here for full story
 – Photo by Lorraine Boyd Bankruptcy Basics Examined
Patrick Patino of the Koenig|Dunne law firm presented the sixth “Just the Basics” CLE series offering on August 16 at Corkscrew Cheese & Wine. The one-hour presentations, offered by the Omaha Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, have proved very popular since their introduction earlier this year. Patino’s presentation covered all the latest information on filing for bankruptcy. He said that locally 70 percent of filings are Chapter 7 (traditional liquidation bankruptcy) and 30 percent are Chapter 13 (personal reorganization and repayment plan). He covered a wide variety of information and strategies in a short amount of time, and fielded a number of questions during and after his talk. The series is offered for both new lawyers and experienced ones looking to brush up on some topics. Watch the Omaha Bar Association website for upcoming topics.
Meetings & Seminars
For the Legal Community
______
SEPTEMBER 28, 2017
Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
NATA Board Meeting
Embassy Suites Omaha/La Vista Hotel &
Conference Center
12520 Westport Pkwy., La Vista
For More Information: www.nebraskatrial.com
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SEPTEMBER 28, 2017
Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
NATA Annual Dinner
Happy Hollow Country Club
1701 S. 105th St., Omaha
For More Information: www.nebraskatrial.com
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SEPTEMBER 29, 2017
Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
NATA Annual Meeting & Fall Seminar
Embassy Suites Omaha/La Vista Hotel &
Conference Center
12520 Westport Pkwy., La Vista
For More Information: www.nebraskatrial.com
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OCTOBER 11 through OCTOBER 13, 2017
Nebraska State Bar Association
2017 Annual Meeting
For More Information: www.nebar.com
______
NOVEMBER 3, 2017
Nebraska State Bar Association
Annual Workers’ Compensation Section Seminar
Embassy Suites
1040 P St., Lincoln
For More Information: www.nebar.com
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NOVEMBER 8, 2017
Business Ethics Alliance
Fall Dialogue
Temple Israel
13111 Sterling Ridge Dr., Omaha
7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
For More Information: www.businessethicsalliance.org |
