In Memoriam

First Executive Director Was ‘Face’ of Omaha Bar Association

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 01/20/2021 - 6:46am

Mardee Korinek, who became Mardee Johnston later in life, celebrates her retirement in 2006 at the Omaha Bar Association Fall Kickoff BBQ with Tom Gaughen of First National Bank. (OBA)

The Omaha legal community lost one of its strongest advocates when former Omaha Bar Association Executive Director Mardee Johnston passed away on Jan. 13, six weeks shy of her 85th birthday.

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In Memoriam: Ben Novicoff

Published by Nikki Ratay on Fri, 01/15/2021 - 12:00am

Former Workers’ Compensation Court Judge Spent 40 Years – Exactly – on Bench

Former Nebraska Judge Ben Novicoff died last month a few weeks shy of his 100th birthday.

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Former Nebraska Chief Justice ‘a Lawyer to the Very Last'

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 01/06/2021 - 12:00am

When former Nebraska Chief Justice C. Thomas White retired from the state’s highest court in 1998, he didn’t stay retired for long.

Soon after he stepped down from the bench, he joined his son Thomas White Jr.’s civil litigation law firm, White & Jorgensen.

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Kutak Rock’s David Karnes, Briefly a U.S. Senator, Dies at 71

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 10/28/2020 - 4:00am

David Karnes, an Omaha civic leader and attorney who was briefly a U.S. senator, died Sunday of cancer at age 71.

Karnes was a 31-year veteran of Kutak Rock LLP, most recently working as senior of counsel and chair of the firm’s government relations practice group.

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Bar Members Pay Respects at Smith Camp's Courtroom

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 10/08/2020 - 6:00am

Members of the bar paid their respects to the late Judge Laurie Smith Camp by visiting her courtroom at the Hruska Federal Courthouse. The courtroom will be open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Condolences may be sent to SmithCampCondolences@ned.uscourts.gov and will be shared with Smith Camp’s family.

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Judge Smith Camp Remembered as Nebraska's Ginsburg

Published by Scott Stewart on Sat, 09/26/2020 - 6:49am

Laurie Smith Camp was deeply admired by her colleagues in the legal profession, and her absence will be felt long after her sudden death last Wednesday.

Smith Camp “passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at her home overnight,” according to a statement released Thursday afternoon by the court. She was 66.

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Legal Community Reacts to Death of Judge Smith Camp

Published by Scott Stewart on Fri, 09/25/2020 - 10:02am

Members of the Nebraska legal community are in mourning for Judge Laurie Smith Camp, who is remembered as a friend, mentor, leader and role model.

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Smith Camp, ‘a Leader Among Her Peers,” Dies at 66

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 2:24pm

Senior U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp has died unexpectedly in her home.

Smith Camp “passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at her home overnight,” according to a statement released Thursday afternoon by the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. She was 66.

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Reactions to Death of Justice Ginsburg & OBA Tribute Video

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 2:00am

“This is a sad day for our country and our professor. We have lost an outstanding jurist and champion of gender equality. Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought tenaciously to protect the rule of law and inspired generations of lawyers.”