Foundation Facts
October 2009
NSBF Logo
Nebraska State Bar Foundation
635 S. 14th Street, Suite 120
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Dear Foundation Fellows:

    Between the time I last corresponded with you and now, much has happened at the Bar Foundation!  I'd like to announce that the Fellows Dinner will be held March 12, 2010, at the Holland Center in Omaha.  Mark your calendar now and plan on attending this gala event, which will feature Cherish the Ladies.  This first and only all female Irish band brings the Best of the Emerald Isle to Omaha.

Cherish the Ladies

Cordially,Doris Huffman, Executive Director

Doris

Doris Huffman
Executive Director


 
2009 Class of Fellows
See photos online

    Yes, the new Fellows were announced in numerous newspapers last week before Annual Meeting.  The following link will allow you to view the new class in the event you missed the announcement.  Congratulations to all the new Fellows!

Fellows' Photos


 
Foundation Awards Nominations
Nominate a colleague by October 28

     It is that time of year when Fellows have the opportunity to nominate an individual to receive one of the Bar Foundation's awards.  Please click on the link below to view both the cover letter and the form.

Awards Nomination Letter & Form
 
    Please email or fax the Foundation your nomination.  The nominations are due October 28, so please take a moment to complete the form to recognize a colleague. 



 
Legacy of Liberty Breakfast
October 15 in Omaha

    Just a quick recap of this event.  The Foundation hosted the breakfast to honor the State Championship Mock Trial coaches from 2008, to introduce the new Fellows and highlight the activities of the numerous Law-Related Education (LRE) programs. 

    We were most pleased to have the 2009 winning 10th grade essayist, Katie Nelson, visit about her experience at the National Student Leadership Conference this past summer.  Katie was one of the McGrath North Mullin & Kratz Law Day Essay scholarship winners.

    Additionally, Duchesne history teacher Donna Harrison gave an overview of using the Foundation's various LRE programs to educate the students about the Constitution and the law.  Ms. Harrison uses the Foundation's We The People: The Citizen & The Constitution curriculum. 
 
    The Foundation was pleased to present both Creighton and UNL Law Schools' Silver Quill Award recipients with a $500 gift.  Creighton's April Erke  is pictured here with Dean Chiappinelli.







Mock Trial
State Championship in Omaha in December

     The Mock Trial Case Committee accomplished its mission in writing another original case.  This year's case is a civil immigration case.  I know that the regional competitions are underway as I have received clarification questions and am assisting a couple of regions.  I'm eager to see the case tried during the State Championship December 8-9 in Omaha. 

    Judge Lyle Strom has graciously arranged for the State Championship to be held in the Federal Courthouse.  The Foundation sincerely appreciates the federal judiciary allowing us use of the courtrooms.   



Constitution Day
"Ben Franklin" Comes to Nebraska

Ben, 5th Grader, Justice Wright
Kearney fifth grader meets Ben Franklin and Justice Wright

     The Foundation hosted re-enactor Chris Lowell as "Ben Franklin" on September 14 to assist Nebraska schools in observing Constitution Day.  The program originated from Kearney, with technical assistance from Educational Service Unit (ESU) 10.  In two separate educational sessions, fifth graders and the high school students were able to actively participate. Both sessions used distance learning to "beam" Ben to schools in Pleasanton, Loup City and Hershey. 
 
    The Foundation partnered with the Supreme Court and was most pleased to have Justice John Wright in Kearney to introduce Ben Franklin and visit with the students, teachers, the media and local lawyers.  A special thank you is extended to Justice Wright for his time and energy spent on this educational event.
 
    This pilot project of delivering LRE programming via distance learning was a huge success and economical to offer to Greater Nebraska schools.  This presentation was underwritten by the Bar Foundation's Flavel A. Wright Fund for the Study of Constitutional Law.  The fund was created in 2004 by Foundation Fellow Bill Wright in honor of his late father and first Bar Foundation President, Flavel A. Wright.


Roman L. Hruska Institute

     Justice Michael Kirby, Retired Australian High Court Justice, was a guest lecturer on September 22. The Foundation, the Federal Bar and the UNL College of Law hosted him in Lincoln.  He spoke about "Citation and Use of Foreign and International Authority in Constitutional Decision-making" and answered many questions. 

    It was a great event and Justice Kirby was most gracious to meet with students. 



Justice Kirby at Hruska Institute


Justice Kirby at Hruska Institute


                                                              

About the Bar Foundation

If you have questions about the Foundation's Law-Related Education programs for the public, please contact Doris Huffman
1-800-773-5396 or 402/475-1042.

 
Nebraska State Bar Foundation
635 S. 14th Street, Suite 120
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Nebraska State Bar Foundation
In This Issue
Legacy of Liberty Breakfast
Constitution Day
In the Spotlight
Katie Nelson & Donna Harrison
Katie Nelson and her teacher Donna Harrison at the Legacy of Liberty Breakfast
Testimonial
"This was not just a leadership conference, it was an experience that has shown me so many possibilities."
-Katie Nelson
McGrath North Mullin & Kratz Student Leadership Conference Scholarship Recipient