This year, Attorney Stu Dornan was awarded the, “Omaha Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.” As per the OBA’s website, it was not established to be granted each year. Recipients would have been weighed against four merits: exemplary service to the profession, support and service to the Omaha Bar Association, innovative contributions to improving justice, and a longstanding commitment to mentoring in the law.

His office was small, simple, and would likely impress any bricklayer with the stability of the great-wall-of-document-filled-crates that took up a whole wall.

In that prestigious, working-man’s environment, I, of course, committed to a very serious and professional interview.

“If you were required by law to have a song play when you entered the courtroom, which song would it be?”

Across from me, Attorney Stu Dornan let his head fall back as he let out a loud laugh, but, surprisingly, a heavy pause followed, and then he gave heavy consideration to even that question; such respectful focus would be a staple of the interview.

“He ain't heavy, he’s my brother, by the Hollies."

The lyrics themselves would be good slogans for a law firm:

“I am strong,” A line that exudes confidence, then that line is followed with, "No burden is he to bear.” Among other lines, the song speaks about how the only reason to be sad is how ‘we,’ people, don't love each other enough.

Stu Dornan graduated from law school back in 1983, however he didn’t always want to be a lawyer, but originally a sports broadcaster – which, if money and time and conditions were different he admitted he would still like to try his hand at now – his love of sports has not faded with time. After graduating, he became an FBI special agent for three years; however, as time in that role went on, Stu realized that he still wanted to litigate and as such began his law career working as a public defender in Louisiana.

Nodding his way, I asked,

 “What would you like the average man to know about the law?”

Mr. Dornan paused and closed his eyes. While he was most-still in those long moments after I asked him questions, it seemed it was then that he was also the most intense–searching, and building what he wanted to say, free of mistakes.

“The law can be complicated. If you are ever unsure if you should contact a lawyer, you should contact somebody. It can get real deep real quick, and timing is often of the essence.”

Scribbling in my little book, I questioned on,

“And, if you could add a law that doesn't exist, what would it be?"

Stu tilted his head into a slight nod and then dipped back into thought, closing his eyes and even furrowing his brow.

"A law that would take into consideration grace.”

“And if you could change any existing law?"

"Mandatory minimums.” He would rather the judges have more discretion in sentencing, then mentioned just how complicated people and situations can be; how no matter the circumstances, a person can still be put away in prison for a long time because of mandatory minimum sentencing. 

As the interview carried on, Stu Dornan affirmed that he is driven to wake because he loves what he does, and enjoys serving others. He also admitted that the best part of being an attorney was “helping people with their problems.”

Motioning with my pen, “And the worst?"

"Not being able to help people with their problems.”

“Best law-joke?"

I could see it in the dancing mirth in his eyes that I caught him off guard. Another genuine laugh rolled through him, and then he smirked some before beginning,

“A criminal court judge came in to start the court session a little earlier than the scheduled time; only the lawyers were present. And then the judge said, “Let’s get rid of all of these reprobates before I call the court into session.”

Jokes about other attorneys aside, when asked if he wanted to give a message to the lawyers who would read his article, he closed his eyes and focused his mind, speaking moments later with his mastery of brevity,

“Being a lawyer is a noble profession. Don’t let anyone cause you to doubt that."