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2021 Robert M. Spire Award 

The Robert M. Spire award is presented annually to a Nebraska lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to pro bono service for the poor, as was the hallmark of Robert M. Spire. The recipient is a lawyer who has achieved the highest standards of competence, ethics, and professionalism, and who protects and promotes the administration of and access to justice. 

Ryan Sullivan at the University of Nebraska College of Law

​Professor Ryan Sullivan of the University of Nebraska College of Law is a pillar of pro bono for some of Nebraska’s most vulnerable residents.  In 2020, during the pandemic, Professor Sullivan launched the Tenant Assistance Project (TAP) to ensure low-income Lancaster County tenants received legal representation in their eviction hearings.  This project was so impactful and popular it extended into Douglas County, the largest county in Nebraska.   
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​In addition to establishing TAP and his obligations as a professor, Sullivan continues volunteering at TAP weekly, recruiting attorneys to volunteer through the project, answering more than 50 questions annually on Nebraska Free Legal Answers and uses the platform as a teaching tool with his law students, who under his supervision, work to answer legal questions. Annually, since 2017, Professor Sullivan has received the ABA Free Legal Answers Pro Bono Leader Award.  He challenges others to “beat his record”.  This contagious enthusiasm lures more attorneys to become involved.  Professor Sullivan is not only leading by example but is engaging the rest of the legal community to do pro bono.

The Nebraska State Bar Association 2021 Visionary Awards

​Presented to recognize outstanding attorneys in their service to further the mission of the NSBA or dedication to programs sponsored by the Nebraska Lawyers Foundation. Up to three Visionary Awards are awarded annually.

Frederick “Fritz” Bartell, Norfolk

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Frederick “Fritz” Bartell, Partner at Fitzgerald Vetter Temple Bartell & Henderson in Norfolk, has been active in the legal profession throughout his career. Fritz serves on the NSBA Legislation Committee and is a leader in the 7th Judicial District Bar Association and serves as a coach for the Panther Mock Trial Team at Norfolk High. He regularly engages in pro bono opportunities, including accepting case referrals, through the Volunteer Lawyers Project. Fritz was recently instrumental through the support he garnered, not only from his law firm, but from the Madison County Bar Association, to help ensure Legal Aid of Nebraska received a highly competitive grant from the Legal Services Corporation to create and implement free legal clinics for low-income persons in Nebraska rural communities. Fritz has advanced the legal profession through leadership, helped bridge the justice gap as a pro bono legal advocate, and dedicated time to the public interest.



Mindy Rush-Chipman, Lincoln

Mindy Rush-Chipman, the Director of Lincoln Commission on Human Rights (LCHR) and also as the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, has enjoyed many roles during her legal career.  Mindy has managed her own law firm, was a senior managing attorney at the Immigrant Legal Center (ILC) and before that served as an attorney at Legal Aid of Nebraska where she was instrumental in launching the Nebraska Immigration Legal Assistance Hotline (NILAH).  

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Mindy is a past Chair of the NSBA Immigration Section, takes many pro bono cases from VLP and Immigrant Legal Center, mentors new attorneys, particularly in the area of immigration, was instrumental in the launch of, and volunteers extensively through, the Tenant Assistance Project, and is a fixture at free legal clinics sponsored by VLP and Legal Aid of Nebraska. Mindy consistently completes at least fifty hours of pro bono annually.

The Nebraska State Bar Association 2021 Rise Awards

Presented to law students from each Nebraska based law school for their exemplary dedication to, and contributions in support of, programs sponsored by the Nebraska Lawyers Foundation throughout their law school career.

Amy Sonnenfeld,
University of Nebraska College of Law

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​Amy Sonnenfeld was awarded for her contributions to the Tenant Assistance Project and for her contributions to the VLP’s Lawyer’s in the City Program.  Amy was a vital contributor to TAP from May of 2020 to July 2021.  She first assisted as a Civil Clinic student at the College of Law through the summer, then continued in a volunteer capacity.  Amy was then offered a position as a teaching assistant at the College of Law where a significant portion of her responsibilities were TAP-focused.   

 In this role Amy supervised other law students in their TAP work in analyzing cases and preparing for hearings, and she continued to volunteer at the courthouse and create eviction defense packets in her spare time.  Amy has provided valuable continuity for TAP and has served many valuable roles.  The success of TAP would have been in peril but for her contributions.  ​

Andrew Bedell,
Creighton University School of Law

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​Andrew “Drew” Bedell was awarded for his contributions to the Douglas County Self-Help Desk facilitated by the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), and for his pro bono service at the VLP’s Lawyers on Main Street event in September 2019. Drew’s goal was to best serve people in poverty in Douglas County and give back to the legal community. ​He was especially eager to volunteer with the Milton R. Abrahams Legal Clinic at the Douglas County Self-Help Desk and at the “Lawyers on Main Street” VLP event in Fremont, NE

 Drew’s decision to enroll in the Milton R. Abrahams Legal Clinic for the Fall 2020 semester was directly influenced by his experiences with VLP, and desire to continue to serve this client population.
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Robert M. Spire Pro Bono Award Past Winners

​2020 Hon. Teresa Luther
2019 Harold Rock (posthumously)
2018 James A. Cada
2017 Jane Schoenike (posthumously)
2016 Hon. Stephen M. Swartz, ret.
2015 Avis Andrews
2014 James H. Truell
2013 Adam R. Tripp
2012 Tara L. Gardner
2011 Ann S. Moshman
2010 Susan M. Koenig
​​2009 Alan D. Martin
2008 Diane B. Metz
2007 Paul M. Conley
2006 Charles R. Maser
2005 Catherine Mahern
2004 Ralph E. Peppard
2003 John V. Morgan
2002 D. C. “Woody” Bradford
2001 Charles A. Nye
         Stephen A. Scherr
2000 Mary L. Wilson
​​1999 Mark R. Widell
1998 Martin J. Kushner (posthumously)
​​1997 Gail S. Perry
1996 Connie Kearney
         Robert F. Martin
1995 Paul W. Rea
1994 The Marks & Clare Firm
1993 Michael D. Matejka
1992 J. Marvin Weems
1991 Earl D. Ahlschwede
1990 Clark J. Grant
​1989 James W. Crampton
1988 James R. Nisley
1987 Paul W. Korslund
1986 David Perlman
1985 John W. Ballew Jr.


Visionary Award Past Winners

2020 Ann Mangiameli
         Paul W. Snyder
         Karine Sokpoh
2019 Molly Brummond
         Terry Grennan
         Todd Richardson
2018 Ryan Sullivan
         Jennifer Kearney
        Brouillette, Dugan & Troshynski
2017 Stacy C. Bach
         Marsha E. Fangmeyer
         Steven H. Howard
         Muirne Heaney
2016 Karisa D. Johnson
         Omaha Bar Association
​2015 Senator Danielle M. Conrad
         Michael F. Kinney
2014 Fitzgerald Vetter & Temple
         Michelle M. Mitchell
         Mark Jacobs
2013 Michael T. Brogan
         Kim M. Seacrest
         Margaret M. Zarbano
2012 James E. Schneider
         Jackson Lewis, LLP
2011 Kutak Rock, LLP
         Larry W. Beucke
Lawyers/Legal Professionals: (402) 986-6501, press 1
Public information*: (402) 986-6501, press 3
​The Volunteer Lawyers Project has a small staff. We do not accept or respond to incoming calls, email, fax or mail requests from individuals seeking pro bono legal assistance. Visit the “Public” page on this website or call (402) 986-6501 for a recorded message about services available through the Volunteer Lawyers Project or that may be available from legal aid and legal service providers in your area. VLP staff is not onsite to meet with walk-in visitors to the office.

​
 Nebraska State Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project. Disclaimer. Grievance Policy.