Lincoln attorney, Alan Peterson, presented the keynote address at the Eighth Annual Law Day Luncheon on April 30, 2007. This luncheon, which was hosted by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and the Nebraska Supreme Court, recognized the winners of the Law Day Essay Contest. Mr. Peterson's keynote can be viewed by clicking the link on the right-hand side of the this page.

The 2007 question, which was related to the 200y Law Day theme, "We the People Need Fair and Impartial Courts: How Do Judges Make Decisions?," is below:

In the case of Illinois v. Caballes 543 U.S. 405 (2005), the United States Supreme Court decided that a dog sniff conducted during a lawful traffic stop that reveals only the location of an illegal substance that no individual has any right to possess does not violate the Fourth Amendment. Do you agree with the majority opinion or do you agree with the dissent that it makes sense to treat a dog-sniff as a search and to rely on the body of our Fourth Amendment cases in deciding whether such a search is reasonable? In other words, do you think a dog sniff of you walking in the hallway at school, a dog sniff of your backpack or purse, or a dog sniff of your car is a search? If you were a judge, how would you analyze these Fourth Amendment issues?

The Law Day Essay Contest attracts essays from students across the state, competing by grade level, grades 7-12. By researching and writing about a topic related to the annual Law Day theme, students can gain a deeper understanding of and make a stronger connection with our heritage of liberty and the citizenship it requires to keep our country free.

The Essay Contest culminates each May on Law Day (on or near May 1) with a luncheon honoring the winners. Parents, teachers, and community members are also invited to attend this annual luncheon.

Winners are selected from each grade level, and they, their teachers and parents are invited to a special recognition luncheon on May 1, 2006, in Lincoln. Students are not asked to read their essays; however, copies of the writers’ winning work are bound and displayed at the luncheon.

2007 Law Day Luncheon
Monday, April 30, 2007
Cornhusker Marriott Hotel
333 S. 13th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska

2007 Law Day Luncheon Presentation by Alan Peterson: Fair and Impartial Courts”