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. This year’s award was presented to the Honorable Teresa K. Luther, Doniphan.
Ryan Sullivan at the University of Nebraska College of LawProfessor 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 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
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
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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 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,
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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
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
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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
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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 |
If you would like to nominate an Attorney for the Spire, Visionary or Rise award, please fill out the form below Due February 14, 2022.