18 May 2021
Seven Nebraska Law students were recognized with the Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) Tenant Assistance Project Outstanding Law Student Advocate Award: Taylor Hayes, Hannes Zetche, Amy Sonnenfeld, Lydia Mann, Tessa Lengeling, Sarah O’Neill and Deanna Hobbs. 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.
NSBA has recognized students retroactively for their participation in TAP in 2020.
Spring 2020 Tenants Assistance Project Outstanding Law Student Advocate Award
Taylor Hayes, ’20, and Hannes Zetzche, ’20, were named co-recipients for the Spring 2020 semester for their contributions in the development of the Tenants Assistance Project. The team developed processes and forms to support the program, observed eviction proceedings and attended meetings with local and national housing advocates. They also conducted research on the feasibility of the program, and into the relevant laws and rules applicable to evictions. Hayes and Zetzche were the first law students to participate in the TAP program.
Summer 2020 Tenants Assistance Project Outstanding Law Student Advocate Award
Amy Sonnenfeld, ’21, and Lydia Mann, ’21, were named co-recipients for the Summer 2020 term. Each represented numerous tenants throughout the term and regularly volunteered to cover additional shifts or take on additional packets. Sonnenfeld and Mann both continued to support TAP after their time in the Clinic had ended.
Fall 2020 Tenants Assistance Project Outstanding Law Student Advocate Award
Tessa Lengeling, ’21, and Sarah O’Neill, ’21, were named co-recipients for the Fall 2020 semester. During this time, they evaluated nearly 100 eviction matters and assisted over two dozen tenants at the courthouse. Due to their additional volunteer hours, they were able to handle complex eviction matters and assist several families avoid eviction. Both Lengeling and O’Neill continued to volunteer over the holiday break and into the Spring 2021 semester.
Spring 2021 Tenants Assistance Project Outstanding Law Student Advocate Award
Deanna Hobbs was named the recipient for the Spring 2021 semester, for her unmatched dedication and enthusiasm to TAP. Hobbs began volunteering for TAP during the holiday break, over a month before her work began in the Clinic. The experience Hobbs gained allowed her to handle cases solo, and she often found herself in a position to mentor other law student volunteers. In her work, she was extremely thoughtful in her analysis of each case, always zealously advocating for her clients’ interests. During her time working with TAP, Deanna developed great rapport with opposing attorneys and the bench.