Rise Awards
The Nebraska State Bar Association Rise Award is 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. The 2024 Rise Award winners are Cassandra Kostal and Kathryn Matthews. Their bios can be read below. Past Rise Award winners are listed at the bottom of the page.
Cassandra Kostal, University of Nebraska College of Law
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Cassandra has completed almost 400 hours of pro bono work throughout her law school career. Since her first year in law school, she has been an amazing advocate for the Tenants Assistance Project, volunteering at the courthouse greeting individuals, doing outreach, and making eviction defense packets. She also clerked for VLP and Legal Aid of Nebraska. As a law student, she drafted a guide for Legal Aid of Nebraska to publish in helping Nebraskans understand the legal process for changing their name. Furthermore, she has worked with Nebraska College of Law’s Debtors Defense Project and with Legal Aid of Nebraska to help low-income Nebraskans with debt related issues.
In law school it can be hard to see past your own stress. Each day Cassandra has volunteered at TAP, she has found a way to act as a zealous advocate for people facing evictions in a way that centers the tenants. It is very exciting for us to bestow this award on Cassandra because she doesn’t seek fanfare, she shows up and works hard and solves problems, but the volume of her work and accomplishments are incredible and worthy of celebration. |
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Kathryn Matthews, Creighton University School of Law
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Kathryn Matthews has been an extraordinary student attorney in Creighton’s civil legal clinic since August 2023. During her time as a member of the clinic, she has distinguished herself as a fierce advocate for victims of domestic violence, a compassionate and empathetic listener to client’s needs, and a happy warrior, eager to fight for tenants’ rights with the Tenant Assistance Project. Kathryn balances this all gracefully as she raises two young children and maintains her duties as an active member and officer of the United States Army and as a leader in the Creighton School of Law Military Law Society. Kathryn exemplifies how the law can be used in service of one’s community.
She is a non-traditional student who has experience in a number of different settings prior to law school. An Arizona native, she spent some time after obtaining her undergraduate degree as a preschool teacher and a manager of movie theater chain. After her two children were born, she enlisted in the United States Army as a Paralegal Specialist. In her role with the United States Army, she worked on the Army’s Contract and Fiscal Law Section, its National Security Law Section, and then finally with the JAG office at Fort Riley, KS. Kathryn’s time working as a paralegal with the military and her experience as an advocate in the JAG program inspired her to pursue a legal career. In addition to her work with the Tenant Assistance Project, she has also successfully obtained legal relief for victims of domestic violence with our clinic. Furthermore, her experience with the military has made her a subject matter expert for our questions about the military benefits of clients. She has been an exemplary student attorney and has extended her skills to support the work of other clinic students as well. |
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Past Rise Award Winners
2023 Ivy Lutz
Katelyn Swaney
2022 Rachel Tomlinson Dick
Alan Dugger
Margaret "Maggie" McCabe
Justin Pritchett
2021 Amy Sonnenfield
Andrew Bedell
Katelyn Swaney
2022 Rachel Tomlinson Dick
Alan Dugger
Margaret "Maggie" McCabe
Justin Pritchett
2021 Amy Sonnenfield
Andrew Bedell