News Archive

Shavers remembered for dedicated work as educator, leader

26 Jan 2022    

Anna Williams Shavers, 75, Cline Williams Professor of Citizenship Law and associate dean for diversity and inclusion in the College of Law, died Jan. 22.

A tireless advocate for inclusion and justice, Shavers served as a member of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty since 1989. Her primary area of interest was immigration and its intersections with gender issues.

Richard Moberly, dean of the College of Law, said Shavers left a lasting impact on generations of Huskers. He also said he will miss Shavers' guidance, which has helped the college navigate many societal challenges.

“She listened, she guided, she pushed — and her work made us all better,” Moberly said. “I certainly was not done learning from her and it is tragic she was taken from us before her work here was finished. But, I know we are all better for having known Anna and I feel fortunate to have been able to benefit from her courage and kindness.”

Shavers was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. As a teen, she was among a small group of Black students selected as the first to integrate into Little Rock’s Hall High School.

She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and a Master of Science in Business from the University of Wisconsin. Shavers earned a Juris Doctor (cum laude) from the University of Minnesota, where she served as managing editor of the Minnesota Law Review. She was admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1979 and the Nebraska bar in 1989. She remained an active member of the Nebraska State Bar Association until her death.

Prior to coming to Nebraska, Shavers practiced law in Minnesota. She also served as an associate clinical professor at the University of Minnesota, where she established that university’s first immigration law clinic.

At Nebraska, Shavers served in a number of roles from the classroom to administration, including interim/acting dean for the College of Law; diversity and inclusion subcommittee chair on the N150 commission; co-chair of the university’s Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking Planning Team; and a co-leader of the university’s Journey for Anti-Racism and Racial Equity

Shavers was a strong advocate for inclusion, dedicating much of her distinguished career to making sure everyone felt valued and supported. In 2017 Shavers was recognized by the College of Law’s Dean’s Advisory Board with the Distinguished Faculty Award for her work in supporting the College’s mission and furthering her teaching and research. In 2020 she received both the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Diversity Award and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Chancellor’s Fulfilling the Dream Award for her efforts to make the state’s legal profession and our university as inclusive as possible.

In a Jan. 24 tweet, Chancellor Ronnie Green praised Shavers for her work in the classroom and as a leader.

As a professor, Shavers believed that she had found the position for which she was ideally suited. She loved working directly with students, expanding understanding of the legal system, and appreciating the differences of people from various cultures.

She was faculty co-adviser for the Multi-Cultural Legal Society and Black Law Student Association, faculty adviser for the Muslim Law Student Association and the Anti-Trafficking Legal Advocacy Society, section delegate and former chair of the American Bar Association’s Section on Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice and a board member of the Midwestern People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference.

Shavers also maintained active membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, participating in the organization’s Delta Days discussing her research, legal issues and providing mentorship.

In a remembrance released Jan. 24, the co-leaders of the university’s Journey for Anti-Racism and Racial Equity described Shavers as a “truth speaker” and credited her for her compassion, brilliance, humor, and dedication to serving others.

“Anna Shavers remains our compass,” the co-leaders wrote. “She deposited in us both the outrage against racism, discrimination and injustice, and a commitment to do all she can to fight these forces.

“We are committed to letting our efforts to form this consortium carry on fiercely and intensely to honor her.”

Colleagues near and far also responded to Shavers' death. Across a heartfelt, 14-tweet thread, Chris Walker, law professor at Ohio State University, honored Shavers for her career, dedication to the field of law, and ability to connect personally with others.

Stacy Leeds, a professor of law at Arizona State University, was thankful for knowing Shavers and her support through the years.

In multiple tweets, Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, a law professor at Penn State University who delivered Nebraska's E.N. Thompson lecture on Nov. 2, 2021, praised Shavers for her pioneering work in immigration law and being a herald for diversity, equity and inclusion.

And, the reverberations of Shavers' passing were especially passionate at Dear Old Nebraska U.

See more reaction from Shaver's death.

Shavers was a frequent national and international presenter on immigration, human trafficking and administrative law issues. She was able to travel the world and taught law courses in numerous locations, including Lithuania, Uganda and Cambridge, England.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley Shavers; daughter, Amber Shavers; sister, Dollie Jones; sister-in-law, Sammie Holmes; and nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service, which will be available live via Zoom, is 5 p.m. Jan. 27 at the College of Law.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Anna Shavers Scholarship Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, NE, 68508. Condolences may be left online with the family obituary.

This story was originally published by University Communication.

Langvardt and Tierney Publish Essay in Yale Law Journal Forum

21 Jan 2022    

Professors Kyle Langvardt and James Tierney published an essay in the Yale Law Journal Forum, "On Confetti Regulation: The Wrong Way to Regulate Gamified Investing."

The abstract for the essay is below:

“Gamified” investment apps like Robinhood use behavioral psychology to encourage frequent and often maladaptive trading activity. To address that problem, securities regulators may be tempted to regulate app design. Such an approach might involve bans on casino imagery, push notifications, confetti, or other aspects of the user experience. But that approach could draw the entire field of securities law into a techno-libertarian First Amendment thicket. This Essay describes the First Amendment litigation that regulators risk provoking, as well as the damage that they might do to the broader project of securities law. The Essay also proposes a strategy for regulators to avoid unnecessary litigation risk while still protecting consumers from the risks of gamified investing. 

Lenich Discusses County Court Expedited Civil Actions Act

20 Jan 2022    

Professor John Lenich spoke on the County Court Expedited Civil Actions Act at the January meeting of the Robert Van Pelt Inn of Court in Lincoln.  The Act took effect on January 1, 2022, and creates a streamlined process in Nebraska for litigating civil actions that do not exceed $57,000.  Professor Lenich’s presentation focused on the practical advantages and disadvantages of bringing an action under the Act.  He currently serves as the Civil Reporter of the Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Practice & Procedure and was involved in drafting the Act and the court rules for the Act. 

Lenich has made two other presentations about the Act, one at the Annual Meeting of the Nebraska State Bar Association in La Vista on October 13, 2021 (“An Expedited Discussion of the Expedited Civil Actions Act”) and the other at Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys Seminar in Omaha on December 3, 2021 (“An Overview of the Proposed Rules for Expedited Civil Actions”). 

Schaefer named Clayton Yeutter Chair

18 Jan 2022    

The Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced that Matthew Schaefer has been named the inaugural Clayton Yeutter Chair in the Nebraska College of Law.

Schaefer currently holds the Veronica A. Haggart and Charles R. Work Professorship in International Trade Law in the Nebraska College of Law and serves as co-director of the college’s Space, Cyber and Telecommunications Law Program that he co-founded. His appointment as the Yeutter Chair will begin January 2022.

“The Yeutter Institute has already benefited enormously from Professor Schaefer’s trade law expertise and leadership in integrating international law into every Nebraska Law student’s experience,” said Yeutter Institute director Jill O’Donnell. “As the Clayton Yeutter Chair, his increased focus on trade opens up exciting possibilities to continue building the interdisciplinary institute that Clayton Yeutter envisioned.”

Schaefer fills the third of three chair positions in the institute. The institute’s other two chairs are held by Edward Balistreri, the Duane Acklie Yeutter Institute Chair in the College of Business and John Beghin, the Mike Yanney Yeutter Institute Chair in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The institute’s chairs and director bring together their experience in law, economics, agricultural economics, and international relations to create interdisciplinary learning opportunities for students from any major and collaborate on research.

“The Clayton Yeutter Chair was established to ensure that we are able to build upon the work of one of the College of Law’s most esteemed alumni,” said College of Law dean Richard Moberly. “Professor Schaefer will carry on the legacy of Clayton Yeutter with his expertise in international trade, an area that is so important to the future of our state and region.”

Schaefer has over 25 years  of law teaching experience with expertise in international trade and international business law. During the 1999 calendar year, he served as a director in the International Economic Affairs Office of the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House. He was the principal staff member responsible for the formulation, coordination, and implementation of U.S. foreign policy as it relates to international economic issues. He also previously served as a consultant to the National Governors’ Association and Western Governors’ Association on the negotiation and implementation of the NAFTA and Uruguay Round WTO Agreements.  His achievements during his nearly 27 years at the Nebraska College of Law include: leading the effort to require all J.D. students to take an international law course; becoming co-author of one of the leading coursebooks in international business transactions; and collaborating with Yeutter Institute faculty on several major international trade conferences as well as research into how international trade negotiations can assist in liberalizing trade in gene edited crops and food.

“I am very honored to be named the Yeutter Chair and continue to work with my remarkable colleagues to continue to grow the Yeutter Institute’s already significant reach in programming for students and stakeholders, and in research.  Clayton Yeutter’s outstanding government service was integral to the formation of the most important international trade agreements and institutions,” said Schaefer.  “Indeed, Ambassador Yeutter’s efforts were highlighted in the opening sentence of my first international trade law course in law school taught by the esteemed Professor John H. Jackson.   I have admired Ambassador Yeutter ever since as a student, trade consultant, government official and faculty member.”

Schaefer is a graduate of the University of Chicago (B.A.) and the University of Michigan Law School (J.D. magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, L.L.M. in international law, S.J.D.).

Schaefer will step down from his role as the Founding Co-Director of Nebraska Law’s Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program upon his appointment as the Yeutter Chair. Schaefer spent 16 years as a director or co-director of the program, leading the creation of the in-residence and online LL.M. degrees, and serving as principal organizer for theme and speakers at 14 annual Washington, D.C. space law conferences, one of the best attended space law events in North America each year.  Co-directors Professor Jack Beard and Professor Gus Hurwitz will continue to lead the program along with executive director Elsbeth Magilton. As part of the transition, the program will undergo renewed strategic planning efforts which will soon be announced publicly. 

The vision of University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumnus and renowned trade expert Clayton Yeutter, the Yeutter Institute connects academic disciplines related to law, business and agriculture in order to prepare students for leadership roles in international trade and finance, support interdisciplinary research and increase public understanding of these issues. Learn more.

Three faculty earn professorships

12 Jan 2022    

Three Nebraska Law faculty members have been awarded professorships. Professorships are one of the highest forms of recognition bestowed upon our faculty.

“Each of the professors receiving recognition contributes greatly to the Nebraska Law community,” said Dean Richard Moberly. “I appreciate each of their scholarly contributions and their dedication to supporting our mission of developing inclusive leaders.”

Kristen Blankley, Henry M. Grether, Jr. Professor of Law, is the director of the Robert J. Kutak Center on the Teaching and Study of Applied Ethics. Her work largely focuses on the crossroads of alternative dispute resolution and ethics and on contemporary issues in arbitration law. She is a practicing mediator and arbitrator in Nebraska and has mediated a wide variety of disputes, including civil, family, collective bargaining, and workplace disputes. She is also an approved Parenting Act Mediator in Nebraska. 

Jessica Shoemaker, Steinhart Foundation Distinguished Professor of Law, has been recognized both national and internationally for her work on adaptive change in pluralistic land-tenure systems. In Fall 2021, Shoemaker was awarded an Andrew Carnegie Fellowship to analyze how property law has shaped who owns agricultural land in America and why, as well as what might come next. From 2018-2019, she also served as the Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Legal and Resource Rights at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law. She is currently working to establish and co-direct the Rural Reconciliation Project at the University of Nebraska.

Adam Thimmesch, Margaret R. Larson Professor of Law, focuses his research on the impact of modern technology and markets on existing legal doctrine, with particular emphasis on tax policy and the regulation of interstate commerce. His research on state tax jurisdiction and tax compliance issues has been published in a variety of publications. He speaks frequently at academic and professional conferences around the country. Thimmesch is also the faculty director of the Law+Business program at the College of Law.

College of Law professorships are made possible through the generosity of donors who recognize the importance of high-quality faculty who are excellent teachers and scholars. 

In addition to these three faculty members receiving recognition from the College of Law, The Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance has named Professor Matthew Schaefer the ­­­­inaugural Clayton Yeutter Institute Chair in the Nebraska College of Law.

Virtual series to discuss rural infrastructure

11 Jan 2022    

The Rural Reconciliation Project, with support from the University of Nebraska College of Law, will continue its virtual law and policy series Rural Infrastructure: Where Do We Invest?, Jan. 27, Feb. 25 and March 22.

This Rural Infrastructure series explores rural infrastructure through a reconciliation lens. What were original infrastructure goals and choices? Who benefited and who did not? Were those goals met? Why? And, most importantly, where should we invest now?

The session on Jan. 27 at 12 p.m. features Iowa Law professor Greg Shill who will discuss transportation law and policy.

The session on Feb. 25 at 12 p.m. features Dr. Christopher Ali from the University of Virginia who will discuss rural broadband. Dr. Ali will also engage with the Nebraska Governance and Technology Center.

The session on March 22 at 2 p.m. features American University law professor Priya Baskaran and panelists Camille Pannu of the University of California Irvine School of Law, Katherine Garvey of the West Virginia University College of Law and Oday Salim of the University of Michigan Law School. They will discuss rural water infrastructure and advocacy.

Previous sessions have addressed rural jobs and green energy transitions.

To learn more about the series and register, visit go.unl.edu/rural-infrastructure.

The Rural Reconciliation Project was created by Professors Jessica Shoemaker and Anthony Schutz to provide a critical and truthful assessment of the past, present and future of rural America. 

Sullivan Receives Association of American Law Schools Access to Justice Award

10 Jan 2022    

Professor Ryan Sullivan has been named the 2022 Access to Justice Award recipient by the Association of American Law Schools. The award, presented by the Section on Pro Bono and Public Service Opportunities, honors those who manage pro bono programs and who have removed barriers to justice and/or improved legal services to individuals unable to pay for such services.

Sullivan is receiving this Access to Justice Award for his dedication to pro bono and public interest work, and specifically for this timely and transformational work with the Tenant Assistance Project.

Sullivan was set to pilot a tenants’ rights project with Nebraska Law students in spring 2020, and although the COVID-19 pandemic put those plans on hold, Sullivan still saw an immediate need in the community.

“It was a time when we were asked to social distance and stay home. Nearly all court proceedings had been put on pause, but evictions were still happening,” Sullivan said. “I checked the eviction docket one morning and decided to go to the courthouse and represent any tenant who appeared for their eviction hearing.”

The Tenant Assistance Project officially launched in April 2020, as the state’s first moratorium on eviction was set to expire.

Prior to the Tenant Assistance Project, tenants would arrive at court unrepresented and often agree to an immediate eviction because they couldn’t navigate the legal process themselves. Now, when tenants arrive for their hearing, they are greeted by a team of volunteers ready to help, and in nearly 98% of the cases, the tenant is able to avoid immediate eviction.

“More than half of the Tenant Assistance Project volunteers in Lancaster County are law students,” said Sullivan. “They are creating eviction defense packets for cases, notifying tenants of hearings and resources available and of course, representing tenants during hearings. They are making a difference in our community and in the lives of families facing eviction.”

Since its inception, the program has helped keep more than 700 families in their homes, a number that continues to grow. The program also connects Lancaster County tenants to resources available to them, including over $9 million in federal aid for rental assistance.

“Ryan’s leadership in developing the Tenant Assistance Project has been incredible,” said dean Richard Moberly. “Every day he represents the College and our mission, and this project specifically gives our students opportunities to become leaders themselves, representing clients and advancing justice in the community.”

In addition to the day-to-day work of representing tenants, Sullivan also works with senators in the Nebraska Legislature to address this access to justice issue systemically by advancing legislation that would ensure tenants receive legal representation in eviction hearings. 

The Association of American Law Schools 2022 Access to Justice Award is not the first time Sullivan and the Tenant Assistance Project have been recognized for their important work. The Nebraska State Bar Association recognizes Tenant Assistance Project Outstanding Student Advocates each semester, the Clinical Legal Education Association recognized a group of students for their work with the Tenant Assistance Project in 2021, Legal Aid of Nebraska and Nebraska Appleseed both honored the Tenant Assistance Project during their 2021 awards programs, and Sullivan was presented with the 2021 Robert M. Spire Pro Bono Award by the Nebraska State Bar Association.

Blankley Publishes Consultant Report with the Administrative Conference of the United States

21 Dec 2021    

Professor Kristen M. Blankley, together with Kathleen Claussen (University of Miami) and Judith Starr (Mediator) published their Consultant Report titled Alternative Dispute Resolution in Agency Administrative Programs with the Administrative Conference of the United States.

The report is the culmination of an 18-month study of agency practices in the area of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), as well as recommendations for agencies looking to create or improve ADR programs.

Schutz Named American Agricultural Law Association Distinguished Service Award Recipient

09 Dec 2021    

Professor Anthony Schutz was named the 2021 Distinguished Award recipient by the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) during their annual education symposium on November 6, 2021.

The AALA awards program recognizes members’ contributions to the association and to the development and practice of agricultural law. The recipient of the AALA Distinguished Service Award is selected by the prior three recipients of the award. The selection is based on a member’s consistent demonstration of dedication to furthering the development of agricultural law, strengthening the legal profession, increasing the size and influence of AALA, and fulfilling the law-related information needs of lawyers and citizens alike.

“Anthony’s annual environmental law presentations at our conferences, his thoughtful writings on agricultural law, his committee service, his recruiting efforts on behalf of the AALA, and his incredible record of teaching agricultural law all combine to support his nomination,” wrote Susan Schneider, director of the LL.M. program in agricultural and food law at the University of Arkansas School of Law, in nominating Schutz.

“He is always willing to share information and resources; he works honestly and transparently with all sides of every ag issue; he offers thoughtful commentary and is not afraid to raise difficult issues. He never seeks recognition or personal gain. He just does the work and cares deeply about agricultural and food law issues.” 

Schutz is a past AALA Board of Directors member and the current chair of the Awards Committee.

Shoemaker Receives American Agricultural Law Association Professional Scholarship Award

09 Dec 2021    

Professor Jessica Shoemaker received a Professional Scholarship Award from the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) during their annual education symposium on November 6, 2021.

The AALA awards program recognizes members’ contributions to the association and to the development and practice of agricultural law. The Professional Scholarship Award recognizes members’ writings, either in the form of scholarly articles of practice-related works like appellate or trial-court briefs.

Shoemaker was recognized for her article, “Fee Simple Failures: Rural Landscapes and Race” which appeared in the Michigan Law Review.

Tomlinson Dick, Petty Recognized as Outstanding Law Student Advocates by Nebraska State Bar Association

09 Dec 2021    

Rachel Tomlinson Dick, ’22, and Bailey Petty, ’22, were recognized with the Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) Tenant Assistance Project Outstanding Law Student Advocate Award. This award recognizes law students each semester who have made a significant contribution to the Tenant Assistance Project (TAP) and exceed expectations in their effort to support the program and contribute to its success.

Rachel Tomlinson Dick began working with TAP as one of the first 2L volunteers to assist with creating eviction defense packets and soon recruited others to help. She has covered shifts to assist tenants at the courthouse since late 2020. Rachel is a co-founder of the TAP student organization at Nebraska Law, and through the organization assists with organizing student volunteers, leads informational presentations and recruitment sessions, and conducts research on Nebraska’s housing laws.  

Bailey Petty started working on TAP cases as part of her summer clinic experience and has continued to work on cases in both Lincoln and Omaha. Bailey reviews eviction defense packets prepared by other students and provides additional suggestions.

Blankley’s Article Published in Arbitration Law Review

08 Dec 2021    

Professor Kristen Blankley’s article FINRA’s Dispute Resolution Pandemic Response has been published by the Arbitration Law Review at Penn State Law.

The article discusses FINRA’s preparedness for transitioning to online dispute resolution of securities disputes, as well as its responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The article analyses FINRA’s arbitration and mediation programs, which were affected differently by the pandemic.

Blankley is the Henry M. Grether, Jr. Professor of Law and director of the Robert J. Kutak Center on the Teaching and Study of Applied Ethics. Her work largely focuses on the crossroads of alternative dispute resolution and ethics and on contemporary issues in arbitration law. She is a practicing mediator and arbitrator in Nebraska and has mediated a wide variety of disputes, including civil, family, collective bargaining, and workplace disputes.

Magilton and Students Contribute Working Paper to European Centre for Excellence

07 Dec 2021    

Elsbeth Magilton, ’11, the executive director of the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law program, and a team of students recently completed a large project with the European Centre of Excellence in Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE). Magilton has been a member of the legal expert pool at Hybrid CoE since 2019 and was a participant in the pools initial convening at the University of Exeter.  The Hybrid CoE has yet to bring space security issues in as a focus. Magilton worked with a team of student researchers at Nebraska Law, Leana Brown, ’22, Lauren Bydalek, ’22, Endeliza Hampton , ’22, and Paige Ross, ’23, to create an issue paper, outlining modern security issues in space law, encouraging and launching the Hybrid CoE’s new work and focus in the area.

Magilton explained, “our paper is a broad general scope exploration into the many facets of space issues and security – from the increase in satellites in low earth orbit, to military conflict in space, and more. We are so pleased the Centre plans to use this effort to outline it’s interest and work in the space domain and to guide its internal decision making for efforts in these subfields.” She went on to note, “our students are incredibly dedicated, talented, and enthusiastic about technology and space. I am so pleased that this excellent team chose to apply for this position and spend their time and efforts in supporting this project.”

Hybrid CoE is an international, independent network-based organization promoting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to countering hybrid threats. The Centre’s key task is to build participating states’ capabilities to prevent and counter hybrid threats. This is done by sharing best practices, testing new ideas and approaches, and providing training courses and exercises. Hybrid CoE also has an important role as a platform between the EU and NATO, providing a forum for strategic discussions and joint training and exercises. You can learn more about the European Centre of Excellence in Countering Hybrid Threats online at https://www.hybridcoe.fi.

All of the student members of the team have shown a dedicated interest in space law issues. Leana Brown is the co-president of the Nebraska Law Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law club, a National Space Society legal researcher, and is spending the spring 2022 semester as an intern at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) working on policy. Leana co-moderated the ‘Artemis Accords:  Expanding and Implementing the Accords & Their Impact on Space Law’ panel at the 2021 Space Law Week Virtual Conference. She also competed in the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Team in March 2021, alongside Lauren Bydalek, who also continues to be engaged in the competition. Brown and Bydalek, with their third team member Martin Fischer, reached quarter finals and had the second-place brief in the competition. Lauren also serves as the Nebraska Law Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law club’s Telecommunications Director, connecting students to resources in that field.

Endeliza Hampton spent the summer of 2021 performing research for Jennifer Manner  (Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at EchoStar Corporation) on her recent book on spectrum management. Endeliza co-moderated the ‘Spectrum and Space Activities:  Future Challenges and Opportunities’ panel at the 2021 Space Law Week Virtual Conference. Paige Ross serves as the Career Coordinator for the Nebraska Law Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law club, connecting students with field specific resources at the college. Additionally, Paige is the Nebraska Governance and Technology Center fellow and has extensive research experience in the regulation of online content.

Leiter Appointed to U.S. Government Publishing Office Task Force

06 Dec 2021    

Professor Richard Leiter has been appointed to a U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) task force that will study the feasibility of a digital Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).

The task force is charged with defining the scope of an all-digital depository program and making recommendations as to how to implement and operate such a program. This will include an examination of the current landscape in Federal depository libraries, of FDLP-related operations at GPO, and of the dissemination of publications by Federal agencies.

The COVID-19 pandemic created urgency for libraries to rapidly pivot to online engagement and delivery of services. The work of the task force will culminate on December 31, 2022, with a strategic framework and implementation plan for an all-digital FDLP. 

Leiter is the Director of the Schmid Law Library and Professor of Law. He has written widely on law library, legal research, and legal information technology issues. Earlier this year, Leiter was selected as a member of the Depository Library Council, an advisory committee to the Director of GPO and the Superintendent of Documents.

Professor Jack Beard Published in Harper's Magazine

24 Nov 2021    

Professor Jack Beard was interviewed and quoted in Harper’s Magazine November 2021 issue: The Coming Battle Over Space. Harper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts.

The article discusses the possibilities of future provocations in space between rival nations participating in what is seen as a new cold war style race of tech and potential arms to gain a leg up in the outer space domain. “We are watching tensions ratchet up,” Beard says.

With these rising tensions, there is a dire need to shore up the “soft edges” of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST); the basic legal framework of international space law. The Woomera Manual, a rule book drafted by an independent team of scholars, government officials, and other space and legal experts from around the world, will attempt to address the inefficacies of the outdated OST. For example, article nine of the OST introduces a nebulous concept, saying that states are required to “undertake appropriate international consultation” if an action in space will cause “harmful interference” with the peaceful activities of another party. What is “harmful interference”? Woomera’s task, Beard said, is in part to answer this question.

When looking at all the potential conflict points in outer space, and the inclusion of ever-increasing civilian activities by companies such as Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and Space X, it becomes clear that space is a coveted domain, and the battle for dominance over that domain has only just begun. 

Professor Beard is a Co-Director of the Space, Cyber and Telecom Law Program, teaching courses in International Cyber Security and National Security Space Law. He also teaches courses in National Security Law, Arms Control, and Human Rights & International Criminal Law. His primary research interests focus on public international law and national security law, with a particular emphasis upon space law, cyber capabilities, arms control, the law of armed conflict, and the international legal implications of modern military technologies. 

Stohs and Weibling Entrepreneurship Clinic recognized at the Annual Entrepreneurship Summit

23 Nov 2021    

Professor Brett Stohs and the Weibling Entrepreneurship Clinic were honored with the annual Distinguished Hall of Fame Award. This award was announced at the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Best Practices Summit held in York, NE at the Holthus Center on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021. This is the 6th summit held in the state hosted by the state-wide coalition, NETForce. The day-long event features expert presenters offering up information about educational strategies and economic building tools that encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.

“The Weibling Entrepreneurship Clinic at the University of Nebraska Law College has been a resource to entrepreneurs, educators and community builders since 2013. Brett and his team educate tomorrows business attorneys,” says Lisa Tschauner of UNK who nominated Stohs and the center. “The clinic has helped countless small businesses become legitimate and to function in a viable way at no charge. The students who work in the clinic often return to rural Nebraska communities providing vital legal services to residents of the state. The clinic provides free advice and legal representation to startup business clients throughout the State of Nebraska under the supervision of Professor Brett Stohs.”

The NETForce organization accepts nominations from across the state prior to the annual Entrepreneurship Best Practices Summit in the following categories: Outstanding Entrepreneurship Service, Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year and Gregg Christensen Distinguished Hall of Fame. NETForce member, Nebraska Enteprise Fund is the sponsor of the award ceremony, providing each recipient with a recognition plaque.

“The Best Practices Summit is a wonderful event where attendees can network with other practitioners and learn about what is happening across the state,” says event chair, Marilyn Schlake of UNL. “This event is meant for anyone who is interested in building the entrepreneurial ecosystem including educators, administrators, economic developers, community organizers, policy-makers or service providers.” 

NETForce is an actively engaged group of collaborating partners focused on building Nebraska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by promoting education and career opportunities available to youth and adult entrepreneurs across Nebraska. The mission of the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Task Force (NETForce) is to identify and share resources to further entrepreneurship through education, collaboration and innovation. 

Sheppard Serves as Panelist on Tsai Center Patent Law Symposium

18 Nov 2021    

Professor A. Christal Sheppard served as a panelist during a virtual session at the 18th Annual Symposium on Emerging Intellectual Property Issues: Patent Law and Institutional Choice, hosted by the Tsai Center on Oct. 29.

The panel prof. Sheppard spoke on was titled "Arthrex, the PTAB, and the USPTO Director’s New (Temporary?) Authority over Patent Opposition Proceedings," and she was joined by Tejas N. Narechania, University of California, School of Law, and Jason Rantanen, University of Iowa College of Law.

During the discussion, Sheppard and the other panelists explored topics like the Supreme Court's ruling that the unreviewable authority of Administrative Patent Judges of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board was not compatible with the manner of their appointment under the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. As a result, the Court invalidated a portion of the patent statute that prevented the presidentially-appointed Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from reviewing Board decisions and issuing new decisions on behalf of the Board. Since then, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued an interim procedure for Director review of Board decisions. But members of Congress have suggested that a more radical restructuring of review authority may be appropriate. This panel will consider these recent developments, with an eye toward identifying an appropriate mechanism for ensuring accurate decision making over invalidity disputes while recognizing the political accountability required by the Appointments Clause.

The Tsai Center for Law, Science and Innovation is "a research-focused academic center exploring how law and policy affect scientific research and discovery as well as the development and commercialization of new technologies," and housed within the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

For more information on the symposium, click here.

Langvardt Speaks on First Amendment at University of Arizona Virtual Discussion

18 Nov 2021    

Professor Kyle Langvardt, was a featured speaker during a speaker series titled "Public Conversation Series 2021" co-hosted by the University of Arizona's James E Rogers College of Law and the University of California, Los Angeles Institute for Technology, Law, and Policy on November 16, 2021.

During the panel, which served as a discussion between authors and executive editors of the Journal of Free Speech Law, Prof. Langvardt was joined by Adam Candeub, Michigan State University College of Law, and Eugene Volokh, University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. Both prof. Langvardt and Candeub have papers, which have been recently published in the journal, of which prof. Volokh is the executive director.

The latest edition of the journal features prof. Langvardt's paper entitled, "Can the First Amendement Scale?" as well as prof. Candeub's paper, "Reading Section 230 as Written," and another paper co-authored with Volokh titled, "Interpreting 47 U.S.C. § 230(C)(2)."

More information about the journal can be found here.

Zeide Serves as Panelist at Event Co-Hosted by Joint Center and White House

18 Nov 2021    

Professor Elana Zeide, faculty at the Nebraska Governance and Technology Center, served as a panelist for Advancing Equal Protections & Civil Justice in an Automated Society, a virtual discussion held November 17, 2021.

The Advancing Equal Protections & Civil Justice in an Automated Society panel was co-hosted by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, wherein panelists discussed and explored current and emerging uses of technology that affect the equity of opportunity in employment, education, housing, and financial well-being.

Panelists also discussed the state of reforms and interventions that can shift technology innovation toward more equitable outcomes and technical mechanisms for ensuring that AI use does not erode civil rights and liberties.

For more information on this and other upcoming events, click here. 

Zeide Moderates and Speaks at U.S. Technology Policy Committee Panel

17 Nov 2021    

Professor Elana Zeide served as moderator and panelist during the Policy, Profit, Privacy, and Privilege: The Post-Pandemic Future of Remote Testing Technolgy webinar on Nov 15, 2021.

This particular webinar, moderated by prof. Zeide, featured industry experts and touched on topics such as how "last year's pandemic-prompted lockdown disrupted institutions of every kind, none more profoundly than schools, and vaulted many commercial technologies already in use to prominence. While online meeting software like Zoom took center stage, a host of remote testing administration (RTA) products also were perhaps less noticeably deployed by educators to proctor tests at almost every grade level more than ever before. As widely reported, however, profound issues of these systems' accuracy, security, and fundamental fairness to less-advantaged students rapidly surfaced and have yet to be resolved."

The webinar was part of the United States Technology Policy Committee's HotTopics Webinars series. 

For more information or to watch a recording of the webinar, click here.