09 Aug 2021
Amy Sonnenfeld, ’21, has been named the Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) 2021 Rise Award Recipient. The Rise Award is given to a law student from each of Nebraska’s law schools for their exemplary dedications to, and contributions in support of, programs sponsored by the Nebraska Lawyers Foundation throughout their law school career.
Sonnenfeld was nominated by Professor Ryan Sullivan for her contributions to the Tenants Assistance Project (TAP) and her contributions to the Volunteer Lawyers Project’s Lawyers in the City program.
Sonnenfeld has been a vital contributor to TAP since May of 2020. She first assisted through the College’s Civil Clinic, but continued to volunteer following that experience. As a teaching assistant, Sonnenfeld contributed greatly the TAP program, supporting law students in their case analysis and preparation for eviction hearings, while still taking on a few cases herself. She continued to volunteer for TAP through the College’s holiday break before accepting an externship with VLP to continue her work. In her extern role, Sonnenfeld assisted in facilitating TAP in Lincoln, both behind the scenes and at the courthouse.
In addition to her work with TAP, Sonnenfeld volunteered for the Lawyer’s in the City event. As a 2L she was unable to provide direct legal assistance, but instead assisted in conducting intake interviews and performing other critical tasks to ensure that every individual was provided services.