Legal News

Heavican Praises Courts for Quick Adaptations to Pandemic

Published by Scott Stewart on Tue, 01/26/2021 - 5:00am

Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican highlighted many of the accomplishments the state’s courts were able to achieve in 2020 while dealing with a deadly pandemic during a wide-ranging speech last week to the Nebraska Legislature.

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Application Window Closing for Omaha City Attorney Job

Published by Nikki Ratay on Tue, 01/26/2021 - 12:00am

The deadline to apply to be the City of Omaha’s next city attorney arrives this Friday.

The position is open following the retirement of Paul Kratz, who served for nearly 23 years.

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Director of Administrative Office of U.S. Courts to Retire

Published by Nikki Ratay on Mon, 01/25/2021 - 1:00am

The current director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is stepping down at the end of the month.

James C. Duff will retire Jan. 31 and be succeeded by Chief District Judge Roslynn R. Mauskopf as the chief administrator of the federal court system, according to a news release earlier this month distributed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

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OBA Reminds Members to Sign Up for Wine Tasting

Published by Nikki Ratay on Wed, 01/20/2021 - 3:00am

The Omaha Bar Association is reminding members to sign up for the 21st annual wine tasting coming up later this month.

This year’s event will be held virtually on Friday, Jan. 29, beginning at 7 p.m. Registration is required by this upcoming Monday and attendees will be asked to pick up a “goodie bag” next week.

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After Hack, Federal Court Announces New Procedure

Published by Nikki Ratay on Mon, 01/18/2021 - 5:00am

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska has released a general order outlining how attorneys should handle highly sensitive documents in the wake of the federal judiciary’s electronic system being hacked.

The hack was part of a broad compromise of U.S. government systems believed to have been conducted by as part of a Russian cyberespionage campaign – the so-called SolarWinds hack.

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Westphal Named Acting U.S. Attorney For Southern Iowa

Published by Nikki Ratay on Mon, 01/18/2021 - 12:00am

Des Moines, Iowa – A current assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa has been appointed as the acting U.S. Attorney, federal officials announced last week.

Richard Westphal will serve in that position until Nov. 16, or until the new administration of President Joe Biden selects a nominee before then. Westphal will replace Marc Krickbaum.

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Iowa Chief Justice: In-Person Trials to Restart Next Month

Published by Nikki Ratay on Mon, 01/18/2021 - 12:00am

Des Moines, Iowa – Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen said last Wednesday that the coronavirus pandemic forced the court system to enact two shutdowns of jury trials and institute remote hearings, but she is determined to resume in-person trials in February.

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Christensen Remains Chief Justice in Iowa

Published by Nikki Ratay on Thu, 01/14/2021 - 3:00am

A graduate of the Creighton University School of Law will remain the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court.

The court reselected Justice Susan Christensen of Harlan as chief justice at its first meeting of the year, the court announced. The justices designate the chief justice by majority vote for two-year terms.