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. The 2023 award winner was Judith Schweikart. Amy's bio can be read below. Past Robert M. Spire Award winners are listed at the bottom of the page.
Judith A. Schweikart, omaha
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Judith was a partner in Kutak Rock’s Omaha office where she worked in their public finance and general corporate department. Judy has been a leader in Nebraska’s legal community serving as a member of the State of Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, the Nebraska State Bar Association House of Delegates, the Executive Council of both the Omaha and Nebraska State Bar Associations, the Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Inquiry, the Judicial Resources Commission and the NSBA’s Fee Arbitration Program. She has been a tireless advocate for providing legal services for low-income Nebraskans. She was a stalwart volunteer at the Douglas County Self-Help Desk and in 2022, as a Board member of the NAACP Omaha Chapter, was instrumental in establishing the Volunteer Lawyers Project’s free civil legal clinic held in partnership with the NAACP. Over the past two and a half years, the Clinic has served hundreds of Nebraskans living in poverty. This program has helped fill a need in an otherwise underserved community while also increasing the visibility of the NAACP. Judy has served our state and community through other non-profit organizations including the Development Counsel of Legal Aid of Nebraska, the Omaha Sister Cities Association, Fontenelle Nature Association, YWCA & YMCA Omaha, Nebraska AIDS Project, Transit Authority of City of Omaha, the LaFern Williams Center, Leadership Omaha Participant, Creighton University Alumni Council, and the Nebraska Highway Commission. Here commitment to improving access to legal services for those who are underserved embodies the public service required of recipients of the Robert M. Spire Award.
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Past Robert M. Spire Award Winners
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2024 Judith M. Schweikart
2023 Amy Van Horne 2022 James E. Gordon (posthumously) 2021 Ryan P. Sullivan 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 Vertical Divider
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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) Vertical Divider
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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. Vertical Divider
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