Not only is he an accomplished attorney, dedicating decades of pro-bono work in the civic, charitable and medical sectors, but an award-winning author and historian. Lawrence (Larry) Dwyer’s published works include “Standing Bear’s Quest For Freedom,” chronicling the first civil rights victory for Native Americans, declaring tribesmen “persons under the law,” and biography, “Andrew J. Poppleton, Fighter For Omaha City, The Union Pacific Railroad, and Chief Standing Bear.”

Which coincidentally ties into The Daily Record’s ongoing profiles on members of the community’s legal profession. Not only was Poppleton instrumental in founding the Omaha Bar Association 150 years ago, but as its first president, he wrote its initial constitution and bylaws, Dwyer said.

The following are insights into Dwyer’s career:

• Why Did You Choose To Be A Lawyer:

I chose to become a lawyer at the age of 10 because I was drawn to the close relationship my father (an Omaha doctor) had with his best friend and classmate from Creighton Prep, Judge Louis T. Carnazzo. Lou was an inspiration to me even at that young age for the stories he shared at our dinner table of the struggles he had been involved in earlier in his career, representing some of the packing house workers in the region who were trying to unionize and some of the dangerous situations he found himself in at times.

He and my father officed one block apart in downtown Omaha for nearly 50 years and met for lunch every day if possible. Lou was my first partner and taught me "how to practice the law." He also inspired me with his pro bono work for the poor. He once said to me, "A lawyer who gives his time to help the poor will be twice blessed, not monetarily but in your inner soul."

• Where/When Did You Get Your Law Degree:

I graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1971 with a double major in American and British history, and in 1974 from the Creighton University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree.

• What Type Of Law Did You Specialize In:

In my early years of practice, I took cases in a variety of areas until I discovered not only what I was good at, but more importantly, what I enjoyed – estate planning and elder law. I have given over 100 continuing education courses throughout the state on various aspects of this field and authored seven manuals for the courses.

• Pro Bono Endeavors:

—Neighborhood Advocacy – I began my practice in my home territory – the Cathedral/Blackstone neighborhood. My family has lived there since 1875, and so when the neighborhoods were being encroached with side-winder apartment buildings replacing some of those stately and historic homes, I worked as legal advisor to the Cathedral parish and the West Central neighborhood association to preserve the character of the neighborhood. I spoke before the city planning and zoning boards on these issues and wrote grant proposals.

—Charitable Advocacy – This work led to creating nonprofit corporations for civic and religious organizations, including St. Cecilia's Cathedral Endowment Trust and the Douglas County Historical Society Foundation, among others. One of my proudest moments was receiving the Sower Award in 2013 from the Nebraska Society for Philanthropy Giving for a lifetime of pro bono work for charitable organizations.

• The Importance Of Lawyers To Society:

I agree with the words of Alexis de Tocqueville, who wrote after his journey to America in 1832 to see firsthand for his French audience whether our democracy was still functioning. He wrote of the crucial role lawyers played in the United States at that time: "In visiting the Americans and studying their laws, we perceive that the authority they have entrusted to members of the legal profession, and the influence which these individuals exercise in the government, is the most powerful existing security against the excesses of democracy."

Lawyers are still crucial today,196 years later, to the security of our nation.

• Best Advice To New Lawyers:

Today, young lawyers must find their "niche" in the practice – one or two areas they possess the necessary expertise to best serve their clients as well as provide a sense of personal satisfaction and enjoyment. If work is all about billable hours, a lawyer will eventually burn out or get very frustrated with the practice.

The days when a lawyer could practice in all areas with competence are over. It's too complicated and ever-changing. Education was the key when we began to practice, and it never stops. Continuing education is a necessity, not just a requirement. Lawyers must always be learning and questioning.

I still attend lectures and seminars in my 51st year of practice, even when I don’t need the credits, just to hear someone else expound on a new statute or case, or theory. Being with other lawyers and discussing (and arguing) the presentation just heard makes it even more enjoyable. Comradeship is one of the reasons I still enjoy the practice.

• Notable Accomplishments:

—My work in the field of Advanced Medical Directives has been an important part of my practice since 1990. I was a participant in the GTE Lectureship Program: Biomedical Technology and Ethics for Clarkson College, Nebraska Public Television (1994), and for the administration/staff of Clarkson Hospital (1993), the Omaha Hospice Organization (1991), and for many other civic and religious organizations over the past 35 years.

—In the past, I served as a judge in the Client Counseling and Negotiation Skills competitions at Creighton Law School.

• Published Works:

In 2022, my book "Standing Bear's Quest For Freedom" was published by UNL Press. It won the Nebraska Best History Book award for 2023, and is available worldwide. It is the story of one of the most important trials ever held in Nebraska, in which the Federal Court for the District of Nebraska ruled in 1879, that "An Indian is a person within the meaning of the laws of the United States, and has therefore, the right to sue out a writ of habeas corpus in a federal court, or before a federal judge, in all cases where he may be confined or in custody under color of authority of the United States."

Two of Nebraska's greatest lawyers, Andrew J. Poppleton and John L. Webster, drafted the pleadings, called the witnesses, and gave exemplary closing arguments, pro bono, in a case of first impression, unprecedented in American history. This was the first civil rights victory for Native Americans and began the movement for Indian reform across the nation. And it all occurred right here in Omaha, Neb. I helped to create and serve on the board of directors and as an officer of The Chief Standing Bear Project, Inc., a national, nonprofit organization to promote the life and legacy of Standing Bear.

The success of my Standing Bear book, the first written by a lawyer, led to a request by a member of the Poppleton family to write a biography of their relative. That book has just been published, titled "Andrew J. Poppleton: Fighter for Omaha City, the Union Pacific Railroad, and Chief Standing Bear."

Among Poppleton's many accomplishments was his leadership in founding the Omaha Bar Association 150 years ago, serving as its first president and writing its initial constitution and by-laws.

Poppleton opened the first law office in Omaha in October 1854, was a member of the first territorial legislature and helped secure Omaha as the initial territorial capital, co-authored the first Code of the Laws in 1855 for the territory, served in 1857 as the territorial Speaker of the House of Representatives, was elected Mayor of Omaha in 1858, served for 24 years as head lawyer for the Union Pacific Railroad and wrote the initial code of railway laws.

He later served as City Attorney. His practice was nationwide and argued cases in state, Federal and the U.S. Supreme Court and was eulogized at his death in 1896 by his peers as the lead attorney in Omaha's first 50 years. Quite an accolade, considering two of his contemporaries whom he had mentored, served as presidents of the American Bar Association – James M. Woolworth (1896) and Charles Manderson (1899).