News Type:
Year:
Rick Kubat

Kubat, '02, Accepted into Nebraska Water Leaders Academy

10 Feb 2017    

Rick Kubat of Omaha has been accepted into the Nebraska Water Leaders Academy, a one-year program that provides leadership training and educates participants about the vital role of rivers, streams and aquifers play in the economic sustainability of the state.

Kubat, government relations attorney with the Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha earned a B. A. in political science at Miami University (Oxford, Ohio-1998). He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law.

A project of the Water Futures Partnership-Nebraska, Academy sessions feature classroom as well as field trip experiences presented by acknowledged experts in leadership and natural resource topics held at locations across the state.

The Water Leaders Academy is partially funded through a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and more than 25 other organizations and individuals.

More information can be found at www.waterleadersacademy.org.

Brock Wurl

Wurl, '10, Named Partner at Norman, Paloucek, Herman, and Wurl

10 Feb 2017    

Brock D. Wurl,’10, was named partner at Norman, Paloucek, Herman, and Wurl Law Offices in North Platte where he has worked since graduating from the College of Law. Brock’s primary areas of focus are personal injury, workers’ compensation, real estate litigation, adoption, and Social Security Disability Insurance.

Women Leading Image

Nebraska Law to host women’s leadership conference March 3

02 Feb 2017    

The University of Nebraska College of Law will host the Women Leading in Law, Business and Philanthropy Conference on March 3.

The goal of the conference, which will be from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., is to provide a space to learn about how women are and have been effectively leading in their respective communities. What have been the challenges of being women in those areas? What have been the advantages? These questions and many others will be the focus of sessions related to the women’s work in the judiciary, government, private business and philanthropic organizations.

"This conference is a tremendous opportunity to learn from women who have had remarkable success and from the varying experiences these women have had as leaders in their respective fields,” said Molly Brummond, assistant dean for student and alumni relations at Nebraska Law. “Our hope is that everyone who attends leaves with a greater understanding of how women are and have been effectively leading, of the challenges women face in different work environments, and of the skills, approaches and perspectives women bring to the table that benefit law firms, government agencies, and both nonprofit and for-profit businesses.”

The day will open with a keynote from Linda Bray Chanow, executive director of the Center for Women in Law at the University of Texas School of Law. Panels will focus on women in private practice, government, business, and the judiciary. A plenary session focuses on women leading in philanthropy and features panelists Susie Buffett, Dianne Lozier, Joan Squires and Lyn Wallin Ziegenbien.

The event is free for students and $50 for others. Lunch is included, thanks to a sponsorship from the Women in the Law Section of the Nebraska State Bar Association. More information and registration information can be found here.

Witten by: University Communications

Matthew Luhn

The Baylor Evnen Build Your Character Program on Communications

23 Jan 2017    

The Baylor Evnen Build Your Character Program on Communications is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8th from 12:10-1:10 p.m. Matthew Luhn, writer, story consultant, and creative writing instructor, will present “Storytelling in Law & Business” at the College of Law.

Matthew Luhn is not a lawyer, but knows something about influencing through the art of storytelling. He is a writer, story consultant, creative writing instructor and keynote speaker with over 25 years' experience creating stories and characters at Pixar Animation Studios, The Simpsons, and beyond.  

Alongside his story work at Pixar, Matthew also trains CEO’s, marketing teams, directors and other professionals how to craft and tell stories.

During his keynote, "Storytelling in Law & Busines," Matthew will train attendees how to develop stories and write  to create compelling stories that move audiences to action.

Matthew's story credits include Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Monsters Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), Cars (2006), Ratatouille (2007), UP (2009), Toy Story 3 (2010), Monsters University (2013), Toy Story of Terror (2013), Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014), and other films and TV shows currently in development.

Matthew's career began at 19 years old, as the youngest animator to work on The Simpson TV series. His TV credits on the The Simpsons include Kamp Krusty (1992), Lisa's Pony (1992), Homer Alone (1992), Colonel Homer (1992), Homer Defined (1992), and Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk (1992).

Professor Justin (Gus) Hurwitz

Hurwitz Named Co-Director of the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program at the College of Law

17 Jan 2017    

Professor Justin (Gus) Hurwitz has been named the co-director of Nebraska Law’s Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program, effective January 1, 2017. Hurwitz will work alongside the program’s current director, Professor Matthew Schaefer and the program’s executive director Elsbeth Magilton, to continue growing the telecommunications and cyber components of the program as it continues into its second decade. 

While building on the foundation that is already in place, Hurwitz’s initiatives will focus largely on telecommunications and cyber law, including substantial focus on cybersecurity and interdisciplinary work at the intersection of law & policy.

“Gus has proven himself to be key in building the telecommunications and cyber aspects of our curriculum,” Interim Dean Richard Moberly said. “His willingness to champion initiatives aimed at growing this program will help move the College forward in these important fields.”

Hurwitz joined the College of Law faculty in 2013 as an assistant professor of law. His work builds on his background in law, technology, and economics to consider the interface between law and technology and the role of regulation in high-tech industries. In 2015 the National Law Journal named Hurwitz a Cyber Security & Data Privacy Trailblazer.

Professors Duncan, Medill and Shoemaker

Nebraska Law Professors Participate in Association of American Law Schools Annual Meeting

11 Jan 2017    

Professor Rick Duncan served as the official delegate of the University of Nebraska College of Law to the AALS House of Representatives. In addition to his responsibilities as a College delegate, Professor Duncan moderated a panel of scholarly works in progress on Friday, January 6, 2017.

  

Professor Colleen Medill was one of three nationally recognized teachers who spoke at a program sponsored by West Academic to showcase how faculty can incorporate professional skills training in large first year Property courses.  The program, entitled Reinforcing Student Understanding of Substantive Property Law through Skills Exercises, also featured Professor Tanya Marsh of Wake Forest University and John Sprankling of McGeorge University. Professor Medill’s presentation demonstrated how she incorporates transactional drafting and negotiation exercises into her Property course using her book, Developing Professional Skills: Property.

  

Professor Jessica Shoemaker was an invited speaker at the Agricultural & Food Law Section program at the AALS annual meeting. Professor Shoemaker’s talk, “Food, Agriculture, and the Future of American Indian Land Tenure,” previews her current work on transformational property system reforms. 

Ross Gardner

Gardner, '08, Named Principal at Jackson Lewis P.C.

10 Jan 2017    

Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce Ross Gardner, '08, has been elevated to Principal of the firm’s Omaha office. Mr. Gardner represents management in all aspects of traditional labor law and employment litigation. He also has extensive experience in other areas of traditional labor law as well, including collective bargaining negotiations, desktop advice and Section 301 lawsuits.

Jessica Feinstein

Feinstein, '06, Named Principal at Jackson Lewis P.C.

10 Jan 2017    

Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce attorney Jessica Feinstein, '06, has been elevated to Principal of the firm's Omaha office. Ms. Feinstein specializes in representing U.S. and
multi-national companies in employment based immigration.

Kristen Hassebrook

Hassebrook, '11, Named Executive Director of AFAN and WSA

10 Jan 2017    

The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) and We Support Ag (WSA) are excited to announce the hiring of Kristen Hassebrook as Executive Director. Hassebrook, has been selected to lead the combined coalition of AFAN and WSA, beginning February 1.

As AFAN and WSA look to restructure and collaborate more deeply, Hassebrook will be a great addition to provide strategic vision, administrative insight and development as we look to continue to grow livestock in Nebraska. “We look forward to working with Hassebrook on the development and growth of these organizations,” Lori Luebbe, AFAN President stated, “Her background and experience lends itself well towards our mission and the livestock industry.”

The announcement of Hassebrook as Executive Director also coincides with a focus on greater collaboration between AFAN and WSA to benefit livestock growth in which her talents and experiences in the policy and political arenas will help to shape a pro-agriculture and pro-livestock growth agenda.  Pete McClymont, President of WSA said “We’re thrilled to have Kristen share her leadership and expertise with AFAN and WSA. Kristen has wide spread respect from those that have worked with her throughout her professional career.”

Hassebrook comes to this position from the University of Nebraska Foundation, where she was the Director of Development for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resource.  Prior to that she served as Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for Nebraska Cattlemen.  Hassebrook is a native Nebraskan and grew up on a diversified farm and feedlot. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska College of Law.

As Willow Holoubek finishes her final days as the AFAN executive director, she conveys confidence in the decision of hiring Hassebrook. “I am so excited about Hassebrook joining the AFAN team and what it means for the future of this organization,” said Holoubek. “With her background in law and her passion for agriculture, I believe that she will be an excellent fit to grow WSA and AFAN.”

Story by: Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska

Jordan Glaser

Glaser, '11, Named Partner at Peters Law Firm

09 Jan 2017    

Jordan T. Glaser, ’11, was named a partner at the Peters Law Firm in Council Bluffs, Iowa where has worked since graduating from the College of Law. Jordan devotes his practice entirely to litigation, specifically in the areas of personal injury, workers' compensation, criminal defense, and dissolution of marriage.

Professor Robert Schopp

Schopp’s Article Published in QUT Law Review

21 Dec 2016    

Professor Robert Schopp’s article Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Coercive Interventions, and Human Dignity was published in the QUT Law Review Special Issue on Current Issues in Therapeutic Jurisprudence.

Therapeutic Jurisprudence pursues the reform of legal rules, procedures, and roles in order to promote the well-being of those affected without violating other important values embodied in law. This paper requires analysis of those relevant values and of the significance of those values for the most justified approach to defining and pursuing individual and public well-being. The analysis presented here provides a preliminary example of such an analysis that addresses human dignity as one value relevant to the most justified application of police power and parens patriae interventions to individuals with mental illness.

Dan Torrens

Torrens, '96, Joins Righi Fitch Law Group

20 Dec 2016    

Dan Torrens, '96, has joined Righi Fitch Law Group in Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Torrens, who is of counsel to the firm, is a civil litigator who practices in the area of personal injury, commercial litigation, and ADR. He remains a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Professor Colleen Medill

Medill appointed to federal employee welfare, benefit council

13 Dec 2016    

Nebraska Law Professor Colleen Medill has been appointed to a three-year term to the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council, by U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez.

Perez announced the newest members, who represent the interests of labor, management and the public, on Dec. 12. He said the members joining the council “are uniquely qualified to help it accomplish its goals. Their expertise will be a valuable complement to the department’s mission to protect workers’ benefits.”

Medill, who joined the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2004, is a nationally recognized expert in the area. She is an elected fellow at the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and an elected member of the American Law Institute. Her ERISA textbook, “Introduction to Employee Benefits Law: Policy And Practice,” is used in more than 40 law schools.

She regularly speaks at national conferences on the responsibilities of employers and the rights of employees under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Affordable Care Act, and previously testified as an invited expert witness before the ERISA Advisory Council in 2014 on trends in fiduciary plan administration and the outsourcing of ERISA fiduciary duties.

The 15-member council provides advice on policies and regulations affecting employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Members serve staggered three-year terms. Three members are representatives of employee organizations (at least one of whom represents an organization whose members are participants in a multi-employer plan). Three members are representatives of employers (at least one of whom represents employers maintaining or contributing to multi-employer plans). Three members are representatives of the general public. There is one representative each from the fields of insurance, corporate trust, actuarial counseling, investment counseling, investment management and accounting.

Medill was appointed to represent the interests of the general public.

“Everyone expects that the Trump administration will bring change to Washington, and that change is likely to impact, directly or indirectly, the regulation of retirement and health care plans sponsored by employers for their workers,” Medill said. “My role is to bring an objective, balanced perspective to the regulatory policy issues that the council studies and to make sure that the public has a voice in the process.”

The group will next convene in March in Washington, D.C.

Professor Jessica Shoemaker

Shoemaker Joins Great Plains Research Inaugural Editorial Board

06 Dec 2016    

In the most recent edition of Great Plains Research, Professor Jessica Shoemaker was announced as one of ten scholars invited to serve a three-year term on the journal’s inaugural editorial board. Great Plains Research is a peer-reviewed journal that began 25 years ago. Under the direction of new Editor-in-Chief Peter Longo’82, the journal will continue to publish “excellent research on a range of topics relevant to the Great Plains region,” while striving to be more engaging and supportive of work that defies disciplinary classification.

Additional information about the future of Great Plains Research is available here: http://muse.jhu.edu/article/638700.

 

Professor Eric Berger

Berger Reacts to Death Penalty Referendum Results

05 Dec 2016    

Following the results of the death penalty referendum on November 8th, Professor Eric Berger spoke to media outlets regarding the future of the death penalty protocol in Nebraska.

Media coverage is available below.

Associated Press

Omaha World-Herald

KHGI Nebraska TV

BYC app on iPhone

BYC App Recognized by Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

28 Nov 2016    

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism emphasizes that “effective lawyering is more than just being able to read and analyze cases.” It is with that emphasis that the Commission has recognized the Build Your Character app and Nebraska Law’s focus on professional development.

The Commission praises the Build Your Character app, the first of its kind at a law school in the United States, saying, “to say it is revolutionary would be an understatement.” 

Read the full article: https://www.2civility.org/law-school-develops-build-character-app-students/

Learn more about the Build Your Character program and the supporting mobile app: http://law.unl.edu/build-your-character/

Alex Engelkamp

Engelkamp's Article Published by Foundation for Economic Education

08 Nov 2016    

Professor Hurwitz asked students in his Law & Economics class to identify a podcast that focuses on a policy issue and submit a piece that considers it from an economic angle. For 3L Alex Engelkamp that issue was the availability of breast milk in our free-market economy. 

Engelkamp’s article Why Is There No Market for Breast Milk? was recently published by the Foundation for Economic Education. The article considers the shifts in supply and demand, and the potential political implications of a “milk” market. 

Professor Eric Berger

Berger Featured in Omaha Daily Record Article

07 Nov 2016    

Professor Eric Berger was featured in an Omaha Daily Record article titled, Law Professor Had a Unique Opportunity To Clerk for Not One, but Two Judges Nominated for the Supreme Court. The article disccusses Berger's time at various Courts and private practices before he became a professor at Nebraska Law.

Read the full story.

Professor Jack Beard

Beard Elected to American Branch of the International Law Association Board of Directors

01 Nov 2016    

Professor Jack Beard was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA) during the organization’s most recent annual meeting in New York.  Prof. Beard has played a prominent role in ABILA activities on the national level for several years and continues to also serve as the Chairman of the Committee on the International Use of Force.

The International Law Association (ILA) was founded in 1873 and is the preeminent international non-governmental organization (NGO) for developing and restating international law. The ILA, headquartered in London, has consultative status as an international NGO with various UN specialized agencies and is organized into forty-five national and regional branches; the American Branch, which was organized in 1922, is one of the largest. Members include government lawyers, individuals working for international organizations and nongovernmental organizations, business people, private practitioners, and academics

Professor Eric Berger

Berger's Article Published in Washington Law Review

31 Oct 2016    

Professor Eric Berger’s new article, Gross Error, was recently published by the Washington Law Review.  The article critiques the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Glossip v. Gross, upholding Oklahoma’s lethal injection protocol.  More specifically, the article contends that the Supreme Court’s ruling was premised on various sorts of deference.  Upon closer examination, each instance of deference was, at best, highly questionable and, at worst, simply incorrect.