Foundation Facts
March 2014
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Well, March came roaring in like a lion.  And it so happens that March 1 coincided with the date of the annual Fellows Dinner.  Despite record low temperatures and snow in the forecast, the event was a great success!

  

Warmed by the kindling of old acquaintances and the making of new friendships, we welcomed new Fellows and honored those who, over the years, have given of their time and treasures.  Following the dinner, guests enjoyed The Cocktail Hour Music of the Mad Men Era at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha.

 

I hope you enjoy reading about the presentations and viewing some of the photos from the 26th Annual Fellows Dinner. 

 

Cordially,

 

Doris 

 

Executive Director  

 

Dean G. Kratz Receives Foundation Award
Past President Kratz Given Foundation's Highest Honor at Fellows Dinner
Chief Justice Heavican presents the Foundation Award to Dean Kratz as
President Gary Radil looks on
 
Chief Justice Mike Heavican, Nebraska Supreme Court, recalled career highlights and personal accomplishments of Dean Kratz before presenting him with the Foundation Award.  Dean's daughter Annie and son Steve, several members of  his law firm, (McGrath North Mullin & Kratz), as well as close personal friends were among the audience members who rose to their feet to congratulate Dean.  Accepting the award, Dean acknowledged that the Foundation has stayed true to its mission for over 50 years.  He thanked Executive Director Doris Huffman for her leadership of the organization.  Dean is a lifetime member of the Foundation Board of Directors.

Judge Ben Novicoff, Retired, Presented with Public
Service Award
Served Workers' Compensation Court for 40 Years

Judge Novicoff celebrates with his niece Elaine Nachman

Foundation Fellow and Gross Fund Committee member Mike Mooney shared the numerous ways Judge Ben Novidoff, Retired, has been an exemplary public servant.  Judge Novicoff was a leader, not only in Nebraska, but also through his involvement with the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.  He served the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court from 1956 to 1996 and was Presiding Judge for 28 years.  Judge Novicoff's niece, Elaine Nachman, traveled from Arizona to celebrate the occasion with her uncle.  Judge Novicoff is the Chair of the Foundation's Gross Fund Committee.
Charles V. (Chuck) Sederstrom, Jr., Named Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Recognized for Service to Profession, Foundation, and Community

Chuck Sederstrom with Executive Director Doris Huffman and President Gary Radil 


Foundation President Gary Radil cited the significant civic involvement and community service of Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Chuck Sederstrom.  In addition to being a leading Omaha lawyer in the areas of corporate law and healh law, Chuck has also served as President and also Chairman of his law firm, Erickson/Sederstrom.  He has been especially active with the Salvation Army and in various Masonic bodies over the course of 30 years. He has also served numerous other charitable organizations.  Chuck attended the dinner with his wife Karen.  He serves as a member of the Infinity Fund Committee, representing Omaha. 

Norfolk Attorney Dan Jewell Leaves $500,000 Gift to the Bar Foundation
Endowment Created to Educate Nebraska Trial Attorneys 

Long term Bar Foundation Board member and Past President of the Nebraska State Bar Association Dan Jewell passed away in June 2013.  Dan was one of Nebraska's preeminent trial attorneys and was listed in the Personal Litigation section of "The Best Lawyers in America" from 1987, when it was first published, until 1994.

President Gary Radil announced that the Bar Foundation is a beneficiary of a monumental gift of $500,000, left in Dan's estate.  It is to be used to educate Nebraska trial lawyers.  The Foundation will soon name a committee to manage the Dan and Lorene Jewell Endowment.

Fellows Dinner attendees rose in ovation to the memory of their friend and colleague Dan Jewell.
Mock Trial Program Renamed in Honor of
Judge Lyle E. Strom 
New Name to Be "The Judge Lyle E. Strom Mock Trial Program"
President Gary Radil made a special announcement indicating that the Nebraska Mock Trial Program will now be named in honor of Judge Lyle E. Strom who has dedicated countless hours to the program.  He has been involved with the program since its inception in the mid 80s, and he served as Chair of the Nebraska Mock Trial Committee when the Bar Foundation hosted nationals in 2001.

The Foundation will conduct fundraising to add to its Mock Trial Endowment for the support and administration of the program statewide.
Bronze, Gold, and Diamond Fellows Recognized
Seven Fellows Achieve or Advance in Distinguished Fellow Giving Levels

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Deb Gilg recognizes the Distinguished Fellows 


United States Attorney and Foundation Fellow Deb Gilg of Omaha presented Bronze Fellow awards to Stanley C. Goodwin of McCook, Galen E. Stehlik of Grand Island, and J. Terry Macnamara of Omaha at the annual Fellows Dinner.  Also achieving the Bronze level of giving is Barbara L. Hosford of Omaha and Neil E. Williams of Ogallala. Gifts between $3,500 and $6,000 are recognized at this giving level.

Gifts at the $10,000 level qualify the donor to be recognized as a Gold Fellow.  Bar Foundation President Gary W. Radil was recognized by Gilg for attaining the Gold Fellow status.

Judge Ben Novicoff, Retired, received the Diamond Fellow award, which is the highest recognition level for Distinguished Fellows.  Gifts of $25,000 qualify the donor to be recognized in the Diamond Fellow category.


New Class of Fellows Inducted at Dinner 
March 1, Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha

2013 Class of Bar Foundation Fellows 
Bar Foundation Board member Steve Seglin of Lincoln introduced members of the 2013 Class of Fellows at the 26th Annual Fellows Dinner in Omaha on March 1. He
outlined the criteria for Fellows selection as being 1) integrity and character, 2) distinction in the profession or community, 3) contributions to the profession or community, and 4) contribution to the Foundation

The following are members of the new class of Fellows:

Debora D. Brownyard, Lincoln - Director, Office of Dispute Resolution  

Joan M. Cannon, Omaha - Shareholder, Koley Jessen

Ronald S. DePue, Grand Island - Partner, Shamberg Wolf McDermott & DePue

Kelli Anne Francis, Omaha- Partner, Walentine O'Toole

Ronald E. Frank, Omaha - Affiliate, Sodoro Law

Hon. Jeffrey J. Funke, Papillion - District Judge, 2nd Judicial District

Hon. James T. Gleason, Omaha - District Judge, 4th Judicial District

Thomas A. Grennan, Omaha - Shareholder, Gross Welch

Richard H. Hoch, Nebraska City - Partner, Hoch Partsch & Noerrlinger

John P. Inserra, Omaha - Managing Partner, Inserra & Kelley

Ronald C. Jensen, Omaha - Partner, Baird Holm

Robert D. Kinsey Jr., Lincoln - Founding Partner, Kinsey Rowe

Donald W. Kleine, Omaha - Douglas County Attorney 

Hon. James G. Kube, Norfolk - District Judge, 7th Judicial District

John M. Lingelbach, Omaha - Partner, Koley Jessen 

Anita L. Mayo, Omaha - Owner/President, Family & Juvenile Law

Mark E. Novotny, Omaha - Partner, Lamson Dugan & Murray

James E. O'Connor, Omaha - Partner, Baird Holm

Jerald L. Ostdiek, Scottsbluff - Partner/Shareholder, Douglas Kelly Ostediek

Donald J. Pavelka Jr., Omaha - Member, Locher Pavelka 

James G. Powers, Omaha - Shareholder, McGrath North

Jan E. Rempe, Lincoln - Career Law Clerk

Richard L. Rice, Lincoln - Crosby Guenzel

James E. Riha, Omaha - Partner, Schaefer Shapiro

Jeffrey D. Sharp, Omaha - Shareholder/Principal, SilverStone Group

R.J. Shortridge, Lincoln - Shareholder, Perry Guthery

Hon. Susan I. Strong, Lincoln - County Judge, Lancaster County

Karen K. Weinhold, Omaha - Shareholder, Engles Ketcham Olson

Abbie J. Widger, Lincoln - Partner, Johnson Flodman

Matthew H. Williams, Gothenburg - Chairman & President, Gothenburg State Bank

 

Seglin also recognized new Lifetime Foundation Fellows.  Fellows attain this status by completing their pledge commitments.  Those achieving Lifetime Fellow status this year are the following:

   

Roberta L. Christensen

Terrence J. Ferguson

Lee H. Hamann

Hon. Todd J. Hutton

William C. Nelson

Hon. Francie C. Riedmann

Dennis R. Riekenberg

Alan D. Slattery

Neil B. Danberg, Jr.

Roger J. Miller

Daniel M. Placzek

Hon. Douglas F. Johnson

John C. Hurd

Andrew M. Loudon

Hon. Stephanie Frazier Stacy

Hon. Vicky L. Johsnon

Hon. James T. Gleason

Thomas A. Grennan

Jeffrey D. Sharp

Matthew H. Williams 

 

Donate to the Foundation's Infinity Fund!
Contribute quickly and easily through the Bar Foundation's Website. Give to the Infinity Fund in recognition of the Foundation's 50th anniversary. Or give a general gift, a Legacy of Liberty gift, or leave a bequest. The Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions may be deductible as allowed by law. 

About the Foundation's Programs
If you have questions about the Foundation's programs of Law-Related Education, please contact me at doris@nebarfnd.org

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