Shoemaker's article reviewed in JOTWELL
13 Dec 2023
Professor Jessica Shoemaker's forthcoming article, Re-Placing Property, was reviewed by Ann E. Tweedy, professor of law at the University of South Dakota School of Law, in JOTWELL: The Journal of Things We Like (Lots).
In her review, Tweedy calls the article "a must-read for anyone concerned about the current levels of wealth concentration in the United States and the resulting inequities. Professor Shoemaker’s critique of the sometimes unchecked freedoms that come with ownership and her argument that we should structure our property rules differently so as to limit these freedoms in the absence of place-based attachment are incisive."
JOTWELL is an online journal that highlights important and notable recent legal scholarship.
Coogan, Dabney, and Jumps advance to National Moot Court Competition
08 Dec 2023
3Ls Kaci Jumps, Dan Coogan, and Amanda Dabney (l-r) defeated a University of Iowa team to win the Region 9 competition of the New York City Bar Association's National Moot Court competition. Dabney earned the award for best finalist in the final round.
The team, coached by alumnus Shannon Doering, ’99, will advance to the national competition to be held in New York City January 28 - February 2, 2024.
The regional tournament was held at the Washburn University School of Law in November. A second Nebraska Law team comprised of Drew Bydalek, Sydney Pabelico, and Broc Stuhr also made an impressive showing at the competition, advancing to the semi-final round before they were defeated.
Behind the Scenes with Career Development
08 Dec 2023
Each month, we’re giving an inside look at the work happening behind the scenes at the College of Law. The Career Development team works to connect students to potential employment opportunities, develop their strengths, and prepare them for life in the legal field.
Career Development team:
Tasha Everman, ’02, Assistant Dean & Director of Career Development
Kala Mueller, Director of Public Interest Programs
Meghan Rivera, Career Development Office Operations Coordinator
Q: What does your role on the Career Development team entail?
TE: Meghan, Kala and I are a team. The three of us have been working together for over 7 years and although we each have distinct roles, like Kala with a focus on public interest law, we all work together to make sure student needs are met. I think we all are fulfilled when our actions/advice/connections lead to success for a student. That success could be securing a job or even just securing the interview. Sometimes a success might be simply helping a student determine the next step in their career exploration, or talking them through the negotiation process once they have received an offer.
KM: Because we are a small office, I work with students across the board regardless of what their interests and career goals are. However, I also get to focus a lot of time and energy on advising students interested in public sector work and developing programming and materials on careers in government, nonprofit, and policy work. I also oversee our Nebraska Public Interest Law Summer Fellowship program (NPILF), which provides funding for students engaged in unpaid public interest work. It is incredibly fulfilling to support students in pursuing careers where they will increase access to justice and impact the lives of other people in profound ways. I love when I’m able to help connect a student to an opportunity they’re passionate about and to share in the excitement that comes from their success.
MR: I am the Operations Coordinator. This encompasses many of the different things I do in the Career Development Office from submitting Reciprocity requests, the planning and advertising of events, coordinating on-campus interviews, answering questions regarding 12Twenty, collecting employment data, student and employer outreach, and scheduling appointments.
Q: How does the Career Development Office support students at Nebraska Law?
KM: We do our best to make information and resources (including ourselves!) easily accessible. Working with the students is the best part of this job, and the more I get to know them the better equipped I am to provide support. This is my Relator coming through, for sure, but it feels really good if I’m familiar enough with someone’s interests that I’m able to pass along opportunities I learn of that seem particularly well suited to them. It often feels very much like friends working together to achieve a goal, where the goal is a fulfilling job for the student.
MR: Throughout the year we host many events and opportunities to allow the students to meet with different attorneys and organizations. We encourage them to make networking connections and explore many areas of the law. In my role, I help support the students by being the first person they see when entering the office. I answer as many questions as I can, and then help them make an appointment to meet with either Kala or Tasha.
Q: You host many networking and informational events throughout the year. What programs do you most encourage students to attend?
TE: I encourage students to attend as many Exploring Opportunities programs as their schedule allows. It is an easy way to start building your legal network and also learning more about the practicalities of day-to-day practice in a variety of areas. I also would tell students not to miss our two Employer fairs in mid-November, as they will have the chance to go table-to-table meeting and learning about employers who will be back in the spring to hire for summer positions. Finally, we collaborate with the Nebraska State Bar Association each spring on a Speed Networking event where students can meet 20+ attorneys through both structured and unstructured networking.
KM: If I’m wearing my public interest hat and had to choose one, it would be Justice Jam without a doubt. The event is a beloved annual tradition at the law college (even the 3Ls show up, which tells you a lot) that began 12 years ago and is held in early October. We invite a variety of local public interest attorneys and give them four minutes to share why they fight for justice. The timing is important because it falls about midway through the fall semester when 1Ls, in particular, may need a reminder of why they came to law school. It’s equal parts fun and inspirational (there’s a gong involved), and it gives students an opportunity to connect with some really dedicated, talented attorneys.
MR: Personally, my favorite events that we host are the employer fairs and I encourage as many students as I can to attend. We try to get as many law firms, nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies to the law school as possible. It’s fun and somewhat informal, and there’s such a huge variety of employers that there is usually at least one organization that students will have an interest in. The fairs are back-to-back, with the Government and Public Interest Fair first and the Legal Employer Fair the following night.
Q: What is your favorite part of working with Nebraska Law students?
TE: Every year I get to work with a new class of smart and motivated people. Some arrive with very specific goals that we get to help them pursue. Many others arrive with only a vague idea of what lawyers do. I love hosting our Exploring Opportunities programming and introducing students to a world of possibilities. It is true that you can do almost anything with a law degree!
KM: Sorry not sorry to all the other law schools out there, but we just have the best students. I am consistently impressed by the things they accomplish during and after law school (and sometimes before as well). Beyond that, they are thoughtful and kind, which makes it easy to work with them and root for their success.
Q: How has Nebraska Law created opportunities for students hoping to go into public interest?
KM: We are lucky to have a Dean who is invested in making Nebraska Law the best school in the country for students who want to work in public interest, and this has been a major focal point of our Advancing Justice Initiative. We have added to the curriculum in recent years and are working on creating a program of concentrated study in Public Interest Law. This past year, we also created the Nebraska Law Public Interest Scholars Program, which offers five incoming students each year financial support, individualized assistance, and unique programming and networking opportunities alongside a group of upper-class scholars/peer mentors. Next year, the law college will be launching a new Journal on Advancing Justice. And finally, while we have been providing financial support for unpaid summer public interest work for many years, thanks to a recent, generous gift from the Acklie Foundation, we’ll be able to expand this support to provide more money to more students who are doing a broader range of public sector work.
Q: How has the approach to career development evolved over the years?
TE: When I first started the office was called “Career Services” but we changed to “Career Development.” Our mission is larger than simply offering discreet services like a resume review or a mock interview. We want to help students develop as professionals and develop a career strategy not just secure a single job. When students graduate, our hope is that they know their strengths, they can articulate what makes them uniquely qualified as a candidate, and they have the skills to thrive in a professional work environment.
Judge Riko Bishop, ’92, shares reflections as Multicultural Homecoming honoree
07 Dec 2023
Judge Riko E. Bishop, ’92, was named the 2023 multicultural homecoming honoree for the College of Law. Judge Bishop represents the first Judicial District on the Nebraska Court of Appeals. She has held the position since her appointment in 2013 and previously practiced at Perry Guthery Haase & Gessford, P.C., L.L.O.
Bishop has been a constant supporter of the College and its students in her time as an alumna. She has served as a volunteer judge for the National Moot Court Team and Grether Moot Court Competition and delivered the keynote address at spring commencement in 2021. Additionally, Bishop taught at Nebraska Law as an adjunct instructor and frequently visits as a guest speaker.
Looking back, Bishop said her time at Nebraska Law set her on track and gave her the foundation for the career she’s built. Part of that foundation came from her interactions with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
“Seeing where I am today, I just feel a great loyalty to the school for helping me build my life,” she said. “The thinking that you do here takes you out of whatever box you were in and expands your world, and once that happens, the sky is the limit.”
Bishop finds great joy in giving back to the College, she said, and feels a strong tie to the National Moot Court Team in particular. She was a member of the team in 1992 when the group won the regional competition as well as the silver bowl in the Best Brief Competition at nationals.
Part of the reason she remains involved at Nebraska Law is the support she received from faculty in her time as a student. She makes it a priority to keep in touch with that close-knit community.
“We had professors who made you feel like you were part of a family,” she said. “While they were rigorous in how they were teaching us, they were always very welcoming.”
For students who may one day pursue judgeship, Bishop said it’s key to build a solid reputation and remain professional at all times. While you can be a zealous advocate, you can simultaneously show courtesy and kindness.
“While it is a profession of adversarial processes, we need more people who will remain professional no matter the situation,” she said.
As for those 1Ls who may feel overwhelmed or nervous, Bishop can relate. She recalled a moment in her 1L year when she was cold-called for the first time and nearly passed out in the middle of class. Although she can laugh about it now, she understands how intimidating the law school environment can initially seem.
“It was so representative of that emotional turmoil that a lot of new law students have, with the excitement of coming to law school but also the fear of being able to handle everything,” she said. “If students feel that fear, they should take a deep breath, try to relax, and know that it is all going to be O.K.”
Shoemaker and Rural Reconciliation Project host third Law & Rurality Workshop
04 Dec 2023
Professor Jessica Shoemaker and University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law professor Hannah Haksgaard hosted the third annual Law & Rurality Workshop on November 17.
The goal of the workshop is to create a space for scholars whose work engages with law and its relation to rural people and places. This year, the workshop included works in progress from scholars in the United States, Canada, England, and India.
In addition to serving as moderator for the “Systems and Structures” conversations, Shoemaker presented her early-stage project, “Privatizing the Countryside: The Disappearance of Rural Public Space.”
Also representing Nebraska Law were Professor Anthony Schutz, and Professor Danielle Jefferis who presented her project, “Outsider Policing: Surveillance and Suspicion in Rural Northern Ireland.”
Paxton publishes article on rural legal deserts
29 Nov 2023
Professor Michelle Paxton has published Preventing Legal Deserts in Our Rural Communities with the American Bar Association Litigation Section.
The article discusses the unique challenges faced by rural attorneys, including isolation and the lack of support, while also discussing the challenge rural communities face in addressing a severe lack of attorneys.
Those challenges are amplified for juvenile court. Children in rural areas are 1.7 times more likely to experience maltreatment than children in urban communities and experience poverty at significantly higher rates.
Paxton shares the Children’s Justice Attorney Education Fellowship Program as one model used to address the legal inequity for rural areas.
Taylor stresses the importance of engagement, personal development
28 Nov 2023
Professor Korey Taylor joined the College of Law faculty in August 2023. He teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Adjudication. Prior to joining the faculty, Taylor worked as a public defender for 13 years in Omaha, Nebraska and Orlando, Florida. In these jurisdictions, he practiced in the areas of criminal and juvenile parental rights law.
The connection between his practice and teaching is clear, as he has relied on the basics of courses like criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence every day to advocate for clients.
“I'm able to use the same knowledge, and instead of advocating for clients and mentoring attorneys, I'll be able to mentor students and help them to understand the law going forward,” he said.
For his work as president of the Midlands (Black) Bar Association, Taylor received the 2023 Nebraska State Bar Association Diversity Award. He is a member of the Executive Council of the Omaha Bar Association, Chair of the 2023 Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) Annual Meeting, and a legislative Delegate in the NSBA House of Delegates.
Engaging with the community, Taylor said, motivates lawyers and law students to develop both personally and professionally.
“You're here for your education. So that's first and foremost, but at the same time, you need to make sure that you have a holistic view to build your reputation,” he said. “Law school is what you make it.”
Taylor also currently serves as a board member of Community Alliance, an Omaha-based non-profit that focuses on the mental health and wellness of in-need community members. The legal profession can be stressful, and Taylor emphasizes to students the importance of taking care of yourself.
“The support system that you had before you got to law school, make sure that you don't lose track of those people and that will help you move forward,” he said.
Taylor’s research interests include criminal law and due process, and diversity and inclusion in the law and the legal profession. Specifically, he hopes to look at disparities in sentencing in relation to probation as well as fairness and equity in judicial appointments.
Law and Democracy series examines issues in constitutional, election law
22 Nov 2023
The College’s Law and Democracy Series, now in its second year, invites a wide range of speakers to address the degradation of democracy, the deep polarization in our political culture, and the role of lawyers in preserving and thinking about democracy and the rule of law. This series is provided through generous support from Ron and the late Barb Shaefer and in partnership with the Nebraska Law chapters of the American Constitution Society and the Federalist Society.
Discussions in this series cover such topics as election law, the possibility of a constitutional convention, and roundups of recent Supreme Court cases.
The series featured speakers such as Jessica Ring Amunson, Co-Chair of Jenner & Block LLP’s Appellate and Supreme Court Practice and Chair of its Election Law and Redistricting Practice. Amunson spoke in February on the Supreme Court’s election law jurisprudence, including how that jurisprudence has shifted as the Court has changed in recent years, with a particular focus on two cases — Moore v. Harper and Merrill v. Milligan.
“I think it's really terrific that the law school is doing this series, because I personally believe this is the most important issue of our time,” she said.
Later in the semester, Case Western Reserve University School of Law professor Atiba Ellis (pictured) examined the parameters of the ideological conflict between colorblindness and race-consciousness as frames for advancing or distorting democracy.
“The value of wanting an inclusive democracy seems in conflict with this value of colorblindness,” he said. “I want to explore that further.”
The Federalist Society welcomed the Honorable Judge Chad Readler, 6th Cir. Court of Appeals Judge and former acting U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, and Mr. Matt Whitaker, former acting U.S. Attorney General, to Nebraska Law in October to discuss their experiences working at the Department of Justice.
This fall’s Law and Democracy events touched on the inner and outer work of democracy, diversity statements and the first amendment and how to plant democracy in sustainable soil. Nebraska Law Professor Eric Berger, a constitutional scholar, said the series provides a vital platform for discussion.
“Democracy is at a crisis point in both the United States and many countries abroad. Lawyers play a crucial role in preserving democracy. It is therefore critical for our law students and for the broader legal community in Nebraska to engage with the degradation of democracy, the deep polarization in our political culture, and the threats those developments pose to the rule of law,” he said. “We hope that the Law and Democracy Series encourages law students and the broader community to think carefully about these vital issues—and about the role that each of us can play in trying to preserve democracy.”
Johnson looks to demystify the law, collaborate with students
20 Nov 2023
Professor Brandon Johnson joins the College from the New York University School of Law, where he was an acting assistant professor of lawyering. He now teaches Civil Procedure and Administrative Law.
Johnson’s experience at NYU informs his teaching style in a number of ways. His aim is to encourage students to build community with their fellow classmates and support one another. He also hopes to make the law accessible for students instead of overcomplicating it.
“Some of the most effective professors that I had in law school were professors who tried to demystify instead of mystify the law,” he said.
In the classroom, Johnson enjoys seeing collaboration between faculty and students.
“You, the students, and me, the professor, are trying to figure out something together about this area of law,” he said. “Watching that light bulb moment is really fun.”
Johnson’s research sits at the intersection of administrative law, the separation of powers, and the law of democracy. His writing focuses on the ways in which government and democratic institutions interact, and the ways in which the judiciary intervenes in those interactions.
His latest publications analyze cases argued before the Supreme Court (Allen v. Milligan and Moore v. Harper) and the North Carolina Supreme Court’s third opinion in Harper v. Hall. The pieces center on election law jurisprudence and political decision-making, respectively.
Alumni News | November 2023
20 Nov 2023
Every month, we bring you the latest updates from our alumni near and far.
ALUM NOTES
Tiffany A. Wasserburger, ’00, was named associate professor of justice studies at Chadron State College.
Adam A. Hoesing, ’12, was named assistant professor of justice studies at Chadron State College.
Endeliza Hampton, ’22, published “Lessons from Dean Shavers, 101 Nebraska Law Review 389.”
ALUM IN THE NEWS
Former State Senator Tom Briese, ’85, was appointed by Gov. Jim Pillen as Nebraska’s 46th State Treasurer. He was sworn in Nov. 1, taking on the role of the state’s chief financial officer.
Children’s Justice Clinic receives Advocacy in Education Award
20 Nov 2023
The Children’s Justice Clinic has received the Education Rights Counsel Advocacy in Education Award.
The Advocacy in Education Award is given to a lawyer or legal entity who advances the education rights of children across the state of Nebraska.
The Children’s Justice Clinic, a partnership between the College of Law and the Center on Children, Families and the Law, was established in 2017 to provide students with the knowledge, skills and ethical underpinnings necessary to function as effective advocates in a setting involving the legal needs of young children. This holistic approach allows third-year students to serve as guardians ad litem in the Lancaster County Juvenile Court under the supervision of Professor Michelle Paxton.
Pearlman’s animal welfare research guide published
16 Nov 2023
Professor Stefanie Pearlman and co-author Melissa Serfass have published Animal Welfare Laws: A Legal Research Guide.
The legal research guide focuses on the growing body of animal welfares laws in the United States. It updates and incorporates material from the authors’ previous research guide, Animals Confined for Human Benefit: A Legal Research Guide and adds additional sections discussing animal welfare protections for other animals, including wildlife and companion animals. The guide assists researchers by providing both research strategies and lists of selected statutes, regulations, and secondary resources to help begin their research in this area of law.
Shoemaker presents at Property Rights Conference
16 Nov 2023
Professor Jessica Shoemaker was an invited speaker at the 2023 Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference presented by the William & Mary Property Rights Project. In her second year as a presenter, Shoemaker participated in the “The Scalability of Property Rights,” panel, a discussion of issues of land access, equity, and exclusion.
The conference is designed to bring together members of the bench, bar, and academia to explore recent developments in the law that affect property rights.
At Nebraska Law, Shoemaker is the Steinhart Foundation Distinguished Professor of Law and co- directs The Rural Reconciliation Project. She has been recognized for her work on adaptive change in pluralistic land-tenure systems, as well as property law’s power to shape the contours of human communities and natural environments.
Brown, ’24, selected as FBA Law Student Division Board Member
13 Nov 2023
Taylor Brown, ’24, has been selected to serve as a Board Member for the Federal Bar Association’s (FBA) Law Student Division, where he will represent the 8th circuit after establishing an FBA Chapter at Nebraska Law.
Brown will serve as the liaison to the Federal Career Service Division, which monitors legislation and regulations that would impact federal attorneys. He is also on the Publications and Publicity Committee, which sends out invitations for events at local chapters and he will assist in gathering submissions for the FBA publication The Federal Lawyer.
Sullivan, Mueller, Kostal selected for AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll
09 Nov 2023
Professor Ryan Sullivan, Director of Public Interest Programs Kala Mueller and Cassandra Kostal, ’24, were recently selected for the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Pro Bono Honor Roll. The AALS Pro Bono Honor Roll acknowledges and highlights the exceptional work of individuals engaging in, expanding and/or supporting their law school community in providing pro bono legal services.
For the purposes of this award, pro bono is defined as work that is primarily legal in nature, supervised by a licensed attorney (for law students), not for pay or academic credit and of service to underserved individuals, groups, or those with barriers to access to justice. Each recipient was nominated for their unique contributions to their community.
Professor Sullivan is the Robert J. Kutak Distinguished Professor of Law and the director of the Estate Planning Clinic. In 2020, he created the Tenant Assistance Project, expanding it to create the Housing Justice Clinic in 2022. Professor Sullivan demonstrates a consistent commitment to pro bono work and to Nebraska Law students. Since 2019, Professor Sullivan has received annual recognition as an American Bar Association Free Legal Answers Pro Bono Leader. He is one of 64 faculty members on the honor roll.
Kala Mueller leads the administration of the Nebraska Public Interest Law Fund, which provides a limited number of stipends to Nebraska Law students who secure unpaid summer positions that serve the public interest. She advises students and alumni interested in public sector work and regularly develops and presents programming and materials on careers in government, nonprofit and policy work. Most recently, Kala presented on the benefits of pro bono for law students, law firms, and law schools at the National Association for Law Placement Annual Education Conference. She is one of 63 staff members on the honor roll.
Cassandra Kostal, a third-year student, has been engaging in pro bono work since the fall of her first year. She has completed more than 350 pro bono hours volunteering for the Tenant Assistance Project, the Debtor Defense Project and for the Naturalization Clinic hosted by the Nebraska Law Immigration Clinic. She is one of 76 students on the honor roll.
Hoetger draws on experience in psychology and practice
07 Nov 2023
Professor Lori Hoetger, ’18, joins the College from the University of Illinois College of Law where she was a visiting assistant professor. Prior to her work there, she clerked on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and then represented indigent clients in criminal court as a public defender in Omaha, Nebraska. Hoetger received her J.D. with highest distinction and her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Nebraska.
Hoetger’s research focuses on how individuals make decisions regarding their legal rights and the evolving nature of expectations of privacy and implications for Fourth Amendment Law. She teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Capital Punishment, and Mental Health Law.
A number of factors drew Hoetger back to Nebraska Law, including her connection as a graduate of the Law and Psychology program as well as the size of the student body and the college’s mission.
“I wanted to be at a school that valued teaching and relationships between faculty and students,” she said.
In the classroom, Hoetger combines her experience in academia and practice. Her work with individuals who had little knowledge of the legal system and who may have felt like all odds were stacked against them inform the way she approaches courses like Criminal Procedure.
“Sometimes we can get lost in the weeds of what the statutes say, but we have to remember that it's all about people,” she said.
Pulling from her background in psychology, Hoetger utilizes empirical methods in her research to help address the behavioral assumptions courts make.
“I take the approach of asking what psychology has to say about these behavioral assumptions and if can we empirically test them,” she said. “That for me, is a really interesting question, especially in the area of criminal law, because we have a lot of research and a lot of theory that can be applied.”
In Hoetger’s research on Fourth Amendment Law, she’s found that she can learn a lot from her students about emerging technologies and new digital platforms.
“My students are coming in with their own experiences, their own background, and I'm really excited to learn about that and be able to incorporate that into my classroom,” she said.
2023-23 National Trial Team members selected
06 Nov 2023
Please join us in congratulating the members of the 2023-2024 National Trial Team! This group was selected out of a large number of students in a competitive selection process.
Attorney Members:
- Tyrone Fahie
- Tindra Norris
- Jordyn Piper
- Kenessa Smith
- Olivia Stanek
- Courtney Thompson
Witness Members:
- Zach Baker
- Zach Schwindt
- Alex Hanson
- Kate Taylor
Cooper aims to humanize legal profession
06 Nov 2023
Professor Jamie Cooper joins the College as an assistant professor after practicing law in the areas of family law, criminal defense, and juvenile justice for 14 years. Prior to joining the permanent faculty, Cooper served as an adjunct professor at Nebraska Law, teaching Pretrial Litigation. She now teaches Torts, Family Law, and Mediation Advocacy.
Cooper has extensive trial experience and has successfully argued cases before the Nebraska Supreme Court and Nebraska Court of Appeals. In communicating her practical experience, she aims to show her students the human side of lawyering. Cooper looks to engage students to embrace the law school experience, step outside of their comfort zones, and take challenges while offering support if they become discouraged in their law school journey. She hopes to accomplish this by being open, sharing that we are all just people who are constantly learning, people who become frustrated, and even make mistakes at times.
One of the main lessons she hopes to share with students is the importance of kindness in the practice of law.
“I really wanted to instill in them that you can be an avid advocate for your clients, but you can still be a really good person,” she said.
This semester, Cooper said she’s most looking forward to getting to know her students on an individual level. This kind of connection, she said, was particularly impactful while she was in school.
“I remember having professors I could talk to about jobs and things that didn’t have to do with the class, like how to navigate law school,” she said.
The environment at Nebraska Law was part of the draw of the position for Cooper. Without being bogged down by overwhelming student loan debt, students are free to explore many different areas of the law. Cooper said she can feel their energy and curiosity in the classroom.
“They really can change the world if they want to,” she said.
Behind the Scenes with Student Development
02 Nov 2023
Each month, we’re giving an inside look at the work happening behind the scenes at the College of Law. The Student Development team supports and advises College of Law students, helping them make the most of their time in law school. They also assist students in the areas of financial aid, wellness resources, and academic accommodation.
Student Development team:
Molly Brummond, Assistant Dean for Student Development & Chief of Staff
Darice Cecil, Assistant Director of Student Development
Bambi King, Student Services Office Associate
Jill Stohs, Academic Advisor
Q: How does the Student Development Office support students at Nebraska Law?
MB: The Student Development Office supports Nebraska Law students in ways too numerous to count! We provide academic support and advising. We administer exams. We connect students to resources within the College, at UNL, and within the Lincoln community more broadly. We help make certain reasonable accommodations in both the classroom and in testing environments are made for students who need them. Our goal is to make sure all of our students are able to make the most of this once in a lifetime educational experience.
DC: As the name implies, the Student Development Office plays a critical role in supporting students as they are on the pathway toward obtaining their law degree. We strive to be a one-stop shop for students seeking guidance when it comes to course planning, enrollment, financial aid as well as overall student health and wellness.
BK: Student development supports students by helping them find the resources they need.
JS: The Student Development Office is here to support students on a holistic level: academic advising, scholarships and financial aid, mental health resources, academic accommodations, and more. I like to say that we’re a good place for students to start if they need much of anything – if we can’t help, it’s likely we will know who can. Our office is a safe space, and our hope is for students to feel welcomed and comfortable whenever they are here.
Q: What is your favorite part of working with Nebraska Law students?
MB: My favorite part of working with Nebraska Law students is getting to know the students. Our students are bright, motivated, hardworking people who have unique perspectives and experiences. I learn from them every day and truly feel privileged to get a front row seat to their evolution into lawyers.
DC: I gain great satisfaction in assisting students navigate through difficult situations. Although there are policies and guidelines for many of the areas that we in Student Development must implement and function within, I enjoy providing students with guidance to helps them find the best path forward by providing them with the information they need to make the best decision. It is an honor for me to be a part of their journey and being a resource during their journey.
BK: My Favorite part of working with students is being able to help them get the answers or resources they need.
JS: I love that I am able to be a part of students’ journeys in so many different ways – from the time they arrive at orientation to the time they walk across the stage to receive their diploma. I feel honored to be able to support them, challenge them, make effective referrals, and help them navigate the many different (and sometimes complicated) parts of their lives. My goal is to work with students through all kinds of situations, fostering growth and learning in the process, resulting in greater development and preparedness for school, profession, and life in general. At the end, I want them to look back and realize all they have accomplished!
Q: How has the approach to Student Development evolved over the years?
MB: We have always been a student-centered office. The evolution has really been behind-the-scenes with respect to technology and taking advantage of the many platforms that UNL has in place that we've not used in the past. It sounds incredibly boring and tedious but we have done some important work in this regard over the last 18 months and that work will make how we work much more efficient. It will also make information easier to access for our students.
Q: What part of the school year do you most look forward to and why?
MB: The beginning of the fall semester is my favorite because there's so much positive energy in the building. First year students have arrived and are learning so many new skills, developing new friendships, and although overwhelmed, are generally excited that they've begun the endeavor that they've been working towards. Second year students are returning with a confidence they didn't feel the prior year; and, third year students can't believe that they're in their last year, have accepted post-graduate jobs or are thinking about and planning for the next phase. It's a fun time of year.
DC: There are parts of every time of the school year that I look forward. I enjoy meeting and working with potential future Nebraska law students during Admitted Student Day and then get excited to see who will commit to becoming a part of Nebraska Law. First year law students are wonderful to work with because they are so eager and excited about the new journey. I also enjoy working with returning students as they explore the various options for courses and figuring out how they are going to manage their finances to make that happen. For those 3Ls getting ready to move on to their next adventure, I want to provide them with the financial resources and education that can reduce the anxiety over things like finances while studying for the bar, loan repayment, other financial situations that they now need to address and plan for in the future. I also feel very proud of all they have accomplished and share in their excitement as they graduate and move on in their journey.
BK: I look forward to spring when everything is winding down and graduation is just around the corner.
JS: The fall semesters are always full of excitement – new 1Ls just starting law school, 2Ls returning from a summer full of adventures, and 3Ls with a second summer experience under their belts ready to finish their final year. I also enjoy the conclusion of spring semesters, which are full of a different kind of excitement – for what is to come over the summer and, for those graduating, after law school. I appreciate the enthusiasm and anticipation that comes with beginnings and endings.
Professor Lepard chairs panel on customary international law at International Law Weekend
01 Nov 2023
Professor Brian Lepard chaired a panel at International Law Weekend, sponsored by the American Branch of the International Law Association, in October 2023 at Fordham Law School in New York City. The theme of the panel was “Customary International Law and Beyond: What Is Its Unique Role in Facilitating Global Cooperation?”
Professor Lepard is the Harold W. Conroy Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Nebraska College of Law and a recognized expert on international law. His most recent book is Reexamining Customary International Law, which he edited and to which he contributed several chapters. The book was published by Cambridge University Press in 2017.
The panel explored the special character, and limits, of customary international law in relation to other modalities of cooperation by examining it through various interdisciplinary lenses, including those offered by political science, history, ethics, and religion. The panelists examined case studies that included customary international law norms relating to child labor and the slave trade. Other panelists were: Alan Franklin, a lecturer at Lecturer at Athabasca University and the Royal University of Law and Economics; Jocelyn Getgen Kestenbaum, Clinical Associate Professor Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; and Mark W. Janis, William F. Starr Professor of Law, University of Connecticut School of Law.