Every year, the Board of Directors presents various Foundation Awards to publicly recognize lawyers who make significant contributions to the Foundation and who enhance the legal profession as a whole.
The Foundation Fellows have the honor of nominating all award recipients except the Silver Quill Award recipients, who are selected by the faculty of Creighton University Law School and the University of Nebraska College of Law. Nominations are reviewed by the Awards Committee, and the Board of Directors then determines the final award recipients. The Foundation only bestows awards as the occasion arises.
This year, at the Bar Foundation's Annual Dinner on March 21, three Awards were presented to exceptional lawyers who have provided substantial contributions to the legal profession and/or to the work of the Bar Foundation.
Dwyer Arce, Joy Shiffermiller, The Honorable Julie Smith, and Jeanette Stull received the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes a lawyer’s service to the legal profession. In this case, the honorees received the award for their tireless work on the Rules Subcommittee of the Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Practice and Procedure.
The Honorable Jonathan J. Papik presented the award and said, “Although the Distinguished Service Award is typically given to a single individual, however, these four individuals selflessly gave of their time and legal talents to shape the amendments for civil practice are most deserving of this award.”
Dwyer Arce is a partner at Kutak Rock in Omaha. In addition to serving on this Supreme Court Committee, he also volunteers on numerous Bar committees in both Nebraska and Iowa. He is a trial attorney and volunteers as President for the MICAH House, which is a family emergency shelter providing temporary housing to members of the Omaha metro and western Iowa communities.
Joy Shiffermiller is the owner of Shiffermiller Law Office in Lincoln which specializes in Civil Rights, Social Security Disability, Employment, and Injury Law. She strives to foster a friendly atmosphere when assisting clients and volunteers her time as a Mock Trial Judge
The Honorable Julie Smith is a District Court Judge for the first Judicial District. She serves on numerous judicial branch education committees and on the Nebraska State Council of the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision. Judge Smith also volunteers for the Cook Rescue Squad and serves as the church organist for the Osage Church.
Jeanette Stull has her own practice – Stull Law Group. She focuses on trying to handle many of a client’s needs under one roof and giving continuity by managing legal issues that a client may face over a lifetime. Jeanette has volunteered for numerous nonprofits including the Nebraska affiliate of the ACLU and Sheridan Lutheran Church.
Professor Adam Thimmesch received the Bar Foundation's Shining Light Award, which recognizes a lawyer who has conducted outstanding legal research in Nebraska, whether a practitioner, academician, or non-practicing lawyer.
The Award was presented by Dean Moberly, who said, "Professor Thimmesch is dedicated to his research and using his work to solve problems and is a most worthy recipient of this year's Shining Light Award."
Professor Thimmesch came to the UNL College of Law in 2012 and focuses his research on state tax and policy and the impact of modern technology and markets on existing legal structure and on the states and their residents. He has been published for his work in multiple Law Reviews, including Arizona State Law Journal, Denver Law Review, Florida Tax Review, Temple Law Review, West Virginia Law Review, Utah Law Review, Virginia Law Review, University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, and Florida State University Law Review. This past year, he has written two full-length law review articles accepted for publication in the Tennessee Law Review and The Tax Lawyer. His work has been cited in scholarly articles at least 117 times and is frequently referred to in current litigation cases.
Professor Thimmesch frequently speaks at academic and professional conferences around the country and is an active member of multiple professional organizations nationally. Additionally, Professor Thimmesch regularly testifies before legislative committees and provides advice to legislators and policy groups on tax matters, including the Nebraska Legislature's Revenue Committee.
The Honorable Donna F. Taylor, retired Judge of the 7th Judicial District County Court, was awarded the Foundation Award, which honors a lawyer who has provided exemplary service and substantial contributions to the work of the Nebraska Bar Foundation.
The Honorable Patrick G. Rogers (Ret.), a former colleague and friend who presented the award to Judge Taylor, said, "She embodies the Foundation goal of civics education which supports the understanding of the rule of law so that youth and young adults may gain the necessary knowledge and skills to be actively engaged in their communities and the legal system."
Judge Taylor served as county court Judge for the 7th judicial district for 25 years, including 5 years as a Presiding Judge. From 2010 to 2011, she was President of the Nebraska County Judge's Association and has been a member of the Northeast Nebraska Drug Court in Madison County. Some of her important accomplishments include serving 38 years as the Region 6 Coordinator for the Nebraska Mock Trial Competition and her active involvement in Law Day's Job Shadowing program for 5th graders. Both programs are organized and underwritten by the Bar Foundation. Judge Taylor has been a Bar Foundation Lifetime Fellow since 2002 and her commitment to Foundation programs like those above has been unwavering.
Legal Pioneer Award
The Foundation's Legal Pioneer Award honors the lifetime achievements of a lawyer who makes innovative contributions to the improvement of justice.
1992 Legal Pioneer Award
Chief Justice William C. Hastings, Lincoln
1994 Legal Pioneer Award
Leo Eisenstatt, Omaha
1995 Legal Pioneer Award
Judge Leslie Boslaugh, Lincoln
1996 Legal Pioneer Award
Judge Hale McCown, Lincoln
1998 Legal Pioneer Award
Bert L. Overcash, Lincoln
1999 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. Patricia Lamberty, Omaha
2000 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. Lindsey Miller-Lerman, Lincoln
2003 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. Donald P. Lay, St. Paul, MN
John P. Miller, Blair
2005 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. Karen B. Flowers, Lincoln
2006 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. Richard C. Kopf, Lincoln
2008 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. John M. Gerrard, Lincoln
2010 Legal Pioneer Award
Linda R. Crump, Lincoln
2013 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. Warren K. Urbom, Lincoln
2019 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. Mary C. Gildbride, Wahoo
2022 Legal Pioneer Award
Michael G. Mullin, Omaha
2023 Legal Pioneer Award
Hon. James E. Doyle IV, Lexington
Outstanding Legal Educator Award
This award recognizes significant contributions to the field of legal education by a legal educator, a lawyer who volunteers his or her time to instruct, and a lawyer who serves in continuing legal education capacities.
1990 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Judge Warren K. Urbom, Lincoln
1994 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
William A. Day Jr., Omaha
1995 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Barbara J. Gaskins, Omaha
John M. Gradwohl, Lincoln
Albert T. Reddish, Alliance
1996 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Gregory B. Minter, Omaha
1997 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Dr. Richard E. Shugrue, Omaha
1998 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Ronald R. Volkmer, Omaha
1999 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Rodney Shkolnick, Omaha
2000 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Hon. Robert O. Hippe, Gering
2003 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
William H. Lyons, Lincoln
2009 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Patrick J. Borchers, Omaha
2011 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
John P. Lenich, Lincoln
2016 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Marianne B. Culhane, Omaha
2017 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Roger W. Kirst, Lincolnf
2019 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Edward Birmingham, Omaha
2025 Outstanding Legal Educator Award
Professor Colleen E. Medill, Lincoln
Shining Light Award
The Foundation gives this award in acknowledgement of outstanding legal research conducted by a lawyer in Nebraska, whether a practitioner, academician, or non-practicing lawyer.
1989 Shining Light Award
Michael L. Johnson, Grand Island
1992 Shining Light Award
Professor G. Michael Fenner, Omaha
Professor Roger W. Kirst, Lincoln
Professor Josephine R. Potuto, Lincoln
1993 Shining Light Award
John M. Gradwohl, Lincoln
Donald H. Kelley, North Platte
James E. Rembolt, Lincoln
1997 Shining Light Award
Hon. John T. Grant, Omaha
Robert M. Slovek, Omaha
1998 Shining Light Award
Hon. Daniel A. Morris, Omaha
1999 Shining Light Award
Richard C. Mangrum, Omaha
2005 Shining Light Award
Professor Susan Poser, Lincoln
2013 Shining Light Award
Christine P. Costantakos, Omaha
2026 Shining Light Award
Professor Adam Thimmesch
Public Service Award
The Foundation confers its Public Service Award on a lawyer in the employ of local, state or federal government in Nebraska or on a Nebraska lawyer in government employment outside the state for outstanding service in the performance of duty.
1990 Public Service Award
Robert M. Spire, Lincoln
1994 Public Service Award
Judge W.W. Nuernberger, Lincoln
1995 Public Service Award
Dennis R. Keefe, Lincoln
1997 Public Service Award
Hon. William H. Norton, Osceola
1998 Public Service Award
Brenda J. Council, Omaha
1999 Public Service Award
Kathleen M. Severens, Washington D.C.
2002 Public Service Award
Deborah K. R. Gilg, Omaha
2003 Public Service Award
Karen L. Shepard, Omaha
2005 Public Service Award
Hon. John V. Hendry, Lincoln
2009 Public Service Award
Charles Thone, Lincoln
2012 Public Service Award
Hon. Todd J. Hutton, Papillion
2014 Public Service Award
Hon. Ben Novicoff, Lincoln
2016 Public Service Award
Hon. Susan M. Bazis, Omaha
2017 Public Service Award
Laura Garcia-Hein, Bennington
2018 Public Service Award
Justice Jeffrey J. Funke, Lincoln
Hon. Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, Omaha
2019 Public Service Award
Chief Justice Michael Heavican
2020 Public Service Award
Douglas F. Johnson
2023 Public Service Award
Patty Pansing Brooks
2024 Public Service Award
Hon. Shelly R. Stratman, Omaha
Hon. Sheryl L. Lohaus, Omaha
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Foundation recognizes a lawyer who has made significant contributions to the legal profession, to the Bar Foundation, and to his or her community.
1997 Lifetime Achievement Award
Governor Frank B. Morrison, Lincoln
1999 Lifetime Achievement Award
James I. Shamberg, Grand Island
2000 Lifetime Achievement Award
James A. Lane, Ogallala
2001 Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard S. Harnsberger, Lincoln
2002 Lifetime Achievement Award
Thomas M. Davis, Lincoln
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award
Thomas E. Brogan, Norfolk
Daniel D. Jewell, Norfolk
2009 Lifetime Achievement Award
Hon. C. Alren Beam, Lincoln
2012 Lifetime Achievement Award
Theodore L. Kessner, Lincoln
2014 Lifetime Achievement Award
Charles V. Sederstorm Jr., Omaha
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award
Howard J. Kaslow, Omaha
2017 Lifetime Achievement Award
J. Terry Macnamara, Omaha
2019 Lifetime Achievement Award
Gary M. Gotsdiner, Omaha
2020 Lifetime Achievement Award
Hon. Laurie Smith Camp (given posthumously)
2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
Hon. John A. Colborn, Lincoln
Distinguished Service Award
This Distinguished Service Award is a special award to recognize a lawyer's service to the legal profession.
1991 Distinguished Service Award
Governor Robert B. Crosby, Lincoln
Jack W. Marer, Omaha
1993 Distinguished Service Award
Otto Kotouc Jr., Humboldt
1994 Distinguished Service Award
Edward Shafton
Robert M. Spire, posthumously
1995 Distinguished Service Award
Judge Lyle E. Strom, Omaha
1996 Distinguished Service Award
Judge Harry A. Spencer, Lincoln
1997 Distinguished Service Award
Hon. F. A. Gossett III, Blair
1998 Distinguished Service Award
John C. Brownrigg, Omaha
2000 Distinguished Service Award
Steven R. Voigt, Kearney
2001 Distinguished Service Award
Lynn D. Hutton Jr., Norfolk
2002 Distinguished Service Award
Harold L. Rock, Omaha
2011 Distinguished Service Award
Hon. D. Nick Caporale, Omaha
2013 Distinguished Service Award
Gerald E. Matzke, Sidney
2015 Distinguished Service Award
Todd V. Elsbernd (Posthumously)
2016 Distinguished Service Award
Dennis G. Carlson, Lincoln
2018 Distinguished Service Award
M. Douglas Deitchler, Lincoln
2019 Distinguished Service Award
Hon. Ronald D. Lahners, Omaha
2020 Distinguished Service Award
Dennis Collins
2023 Distinguished Service Award
Patrick S. Cooper
2025 Distinguished Service Award
Hon. Thomas K. Harmon
2026 Distinguished Service Award
Dwyer Arce, Joy Shiffermiller, Hon. Julie Smith, Jeanette Stull
Foundation Award
The Foundation Award is the most prestigious award given by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation. This award honors exemplary service to the Foundation and is presented to lawyers who have made and who continue to make a strong commitment to the goals of the Foundation.
1989 Foundation Award
Deryl F. Hamann, Omaha
1990 Foundation Award
Robert G. Scoville, posthumously
1992 Foundation Award
Hans J. Holtorf Jr., posthumously
Howard H. Moldenhauer, posthumously
1993 Foundation Award
Milton R. Abrahams, Omaha
1994 Foundation Award
Flavel A. Wright, Lincoln
1995 Foundation Award
Senator Roman L. Hruska, Omaha
1996 Foundation Award
Keith I. Frederick, Omaha
Richard A. Knudsen, Lincoln
1999 Foundation Award
Harvey S. Perlman, Lincoln
2001 Foundation Award
Hon. Lyle E. Strom, Omaha
2002 Foundation Award
Charles Thone, Lincoln
2006 Foundation Award
Thomas M. Davies, Lincoln
2008 Foundation Award
George E. Svoboda, Fremont
2010 Foundation Award
Robert H. Berkshire, Omaha
2012 Foundation Award
Charles E. Wright, Lincoln
2014 Foundation Award
Dean G. Kratz, Omaha
2015 Foundation Award
Hon. William Jay Riley, Omaha
2018 Foundation Award
Kile W. Johnson, Lincoln
2022 Foundation Award
Charles F. Gotch
2025 Foundation Award
Pam Hastings Carrier
2026 Foundation Award
Hon. Donna F. Taylor, Wayne
Silver Quill Award
The Silver Quill Award was established to recognize a law student's legal writing ability as displayed in the classroom and other writing situations as selected by the faculty at the University of Nebraska College of Law and Creighton Law School. Recipients receive a cash award of $500 at the Foundation's Legacy of Liberty Breakfast, as well as have their name permanently inscribed on a plaque which hangs at each respective law school.
1990 Silver Quill Award Winners
Michelle Wernimont, Creighton University Law School
Chad M. VonKampen, University of Nebraska College of Law
1991 Silver Quill Award Winners
Greg O'Kief, Creighton University Law School
Patrick Straka, University of Nebraska College of Law
1992 Silver Quill Award Winners
Sharon Rosse, Creighton University Law School
Timothy Moll, University of Nebraska College of Law
1993 Silver Quill Award Winners
Amy Erlbacher-Anderson, Creighton University Law School
Jennifer Gilg, University of Nebraska College of Law
1994 Silver Quill Award Winners
Lisa Gottula, Creighton University Law School
Christian Stewart, University of Nebraska College of Law
1995 Silver Quill Award Winners
Bruce Gragert, Creighton University Law School
Nilesh Patel, University of Nebraska College of Law
1996 Silver Quill Award Winners
Steven C. Likes, Creighton University Law School
Brian Keller, University of Nebraska College of Law
1997 Silver Quill Award Winners
Kristine Becker, Creighton University Law School
Heidi Lysne, University of Nebraska College of Law
1998 Silver Quill Award Winners
Edward D. Williamson, Creighton University Law School
Kevin O'Neil, University of Nebraska College of Law
1999 Silver Quill Award Winners
Cassandra Volanges, Creighton University Law School
David R. Mayer, University of Nebraska College of Law
2000 Silver Quill Award Winners
John A. Sharp, Creighton University Law School
Brian Sobczyk, University of Nebraska College of Law
2001 Silver Quill Award Winners
Richard Winders, Creighton University Law School
Karen Iossi, University of Nebraska College of Law
2002 Silver Quill Award Winners
Nicole Englehardt, Creighton University Law School
Amanda J. Karr, University of Nebraska College of Law
2003 Silver Quill Award Winners
Thomas M. Worthington, Creighton University Law School
Tara Scholz, University of Nebraska College of Law
2004 Silver Quill Award Winners
Kourtney Greenfield, Creighton University Law School
Samuel R. Randall, University of Nebraska College of Law
2005 Silver Quill Award Winners
Aimee L. Lowe, Creighton University Law School
Mark Buckwalter, University of Nebraska College of Law
2006 Silver Quill Award Winners
Anna Yost, Creighton University Law School
Kelli Church, University of Nebraska College of Law
2007 Silver Quill Award Winners
P. Brian Bartels, Creighton University Law School
Valerie McGill, University of Nebraska College of Law
2008 Silver Quill Award Winners
Robert A. Stark, Creighton University Law School
Adam W. Barney, University of Nebraska College of Law
2009 Silver Quill Award Winners
April N. Erke, Creighton University Law School
Andrew Conroy, University of Nebraska College of Law
2010 Silver Quill Award Winners
Julie Roberts, Creighton University Law School
Lyudmila Kishchun, University of Nebraska College of Law
2011 Silver Quill Award Winners
Alexander Boyd, Creighton University Law School
Shannon H. Kelly, University of Nebraska College of Law
2012 Silver Quill Award Winners
Kara Stockdale, Creighton University Law School
Martin Demoret, University of Nebraska College of Law
2013 Silver Quill Award Winners
Dewey Kennison, Creighton University Law School
Jessop Adams, University of Nebraska College of Law
2014 Silver Quill Award Winners
Eric Walser, Creighton University Law School
Christopher Schmidt, University of Nebraska College of Law
2015 Silver Quill Award Winners
Justine Piatek, Creighton University Law School
Gregory Vinton, University of Nebraska College of Law
2016 Silver Quill Award Winners
Rachel Lee, Creighton University Law School
Jared Koch, University of Nebraska College of Law
2017 Silver Quill Award Winners
Janessa Cruz-Alfaro, Creighton University Law School
Troy Anderson, University of Nebraska College of Law
2018 Silver Quill Award Winners
Shai Gonzales, Creighton University Law School
Lyzz Smith, University of Nebraska College of Law
2019 Silver Quill Award Winners
Ryan Baker, Creighton University Law School
Jessica Robinson, University of Nebraska College of Law
2020 Silver Quill Award Winners
Hallie Hamilton, Creighton
Hayley Kaiser, UNL
2021 Silver Quill Award Winners
Nathan Heimes and Lexi Weisbeck, Creighton
Kaitlyn Moore, UNL
2022 Silver Quill Award Winners
Justin Pritchett, Creighton
Abbey Penton, UNL
2023 Silver Quill Award Winners
Kara Stark Smith, Creighton
Amanda Landaverde, UNL
2024 Silver Quill Award Winners
Caleb Chmelka, Creighton
Christopher Thorpe, UNL
2025 Silver Quill Award Winners
Dominick Bartels, Creighton
Elizabeth Wood, UNL