UNL, UNAM to Collaborate on Trial Advocacy Courses
Professor Steven J. Schmidt and Prem Paul, UNL Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development were in Mexico City on May 31st and signed a collaboration agreement between the College of Law and the Superior Court of Justice for the Federal District. The agreement calls for Professor Schmidt to return with a team of instructors to provide two week-long trial advocacy courses for the family law judges and magistrates of the Superior Court. During the courses, the participants will learn every aspect of an oral adversarial trial - opening, closing, direct and cross-examination as well as the role of the judge. This agreement follows a prior partnership between the College of Law and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to provided trial advocacy instruction in response to Mexico’s constitutionally mandated reform of their criminal justice system whereby criminal cases would be resolved by oral trials.
Faculty In the News
Willborn Delivers Keynote at Access to Social Justice Conference
Professor Steve Willborn delivered the keynote address at a conference sponsored by the International Association of Labor Law Journals and the Cetre du Droit Compare du Travail et de law Securite Sociale. The conference was entitled "Access to Social Justice in International and Comparative Law." Willborn was selected to give the final keynote which summarized the conference and provided commentary on it.
Bradford Quoted in Washington Post crowdfunding article
Professor Steve Bradford was quoted in a Washington Post article,"'Crowdfunding' trend poised to make mark on U.S. investing landscape." Bradford has written the leading publication on the topic of crowdfunding, and testified before the the Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform last summer.
Thimmesh Op Ed Addresses Internet Sales Tax
Professor Adam Thimmesch's op ed, "Misleading claims muddle debate over Internet sales tax," appeared in the Sunday, April 14 edition of the Omaha World Herald.
Poser & von der Dunk Present in Luxembourg
Professor Frans von der Dunk and Dean Susan Poser recently attended the Luxembourg Workshop where the topic of the workshop was "Satellite Communication and Dispute Resolution". Professor von der Dunk presented a paper on the Permanent Court of Arbitration's new satellite dispute resolution rules, and Dean Poser presented a paper on the intersection of tort law and federal and state law regulating U.S. satellite operators. The conference was co-hosted by the University of Luxembourg and the Max Planck Institute for International, European and Regulatory Procedural Law.
Blankley Elected to NMA Leadership
Assistant Professor Kristen M. Blankley was recently elected the Vice President of the Nebraska Mediation Association, the largest statewide association of mediators in the state of Nebraska. NMA policy states that following a one-year term as Vice President, the Vice President will assume the role of President. NMA is involved in mediation training and outreach throughout the state of Nebraska.
Schmidt Nominated for Board of Trustees for American Inns of Court
Professor Steve Schmidt has been nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees for American Inns of Court. Justice Kenneth Stephan from the Nebraska Supreme Court submitted a nomination letter in support of Schmidt. Professor Schmidt will also be presenting at the National Leadership Summit for American Inns of Court in New Orleans in May.
Duncan Appears on Nebraska Public Radio
Professor Rick Duncan was recently interviewed for a story on religion and the "blue laws" in a story that aired last week on Nebraska Public Radio. The story addresses the 100th anniversary of the vote by the Nebraska State Legislature to end the "blue law" that prohibited playing baseball on Sundays.
Willborn Publishes Article, Teaches Abroad
Professor Steve Willborn's article, "Legal Education as a Private Good," 41 Wash. U. J.L. & Pol'y 89 (2013), was recently published by the Washington University Journal of Law and Policy. Willborn also recently taught a short course through Monash University on collective labor law in Prato, Italy, to students from Israel, France, Canada and Australia.
Brank Earns Research Grant
Professor Eve Brank has been awarded a nearly $200,000 National Science Foundation grant to conduct research into why citizens consent to searches. She is collaborating with Jennifer Groscup of Scripps College in Claremont, Calif., on the project. Brank is a member of the Law/Psychology program faculty, and is an associate professor of psychology and courtesy professor of law.