Visionary Awards
The Nebraska State Bar Association Visionary Awards are presented to outstanding attorneys for their service to further the mission of the NSBA or their dedication to programs sponsored by the Nebraska Lawyers Foundation. Up to three Visionary Awards are awarded annually. The 2024 Visionary Award winners are Justin Daake, Susan Reff, and Audrey Svane. See below for their bios. Past Visionary award winners are listed at the bottom of the page.
Justin M. Daake, oxford
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Justin is a solo practitioner providing court appointed and other critical legal services to nine counties throughout south central and southwestern Nebraska. Justin serves as the public defender for Furnas and Harlan Counties, is the Oxford Village Attorney, and is a certified Guardian ad Litem in the juvenile and probate courts. Justin regularly represents a significant number of indigent clients and primarily practices in communities with limited access to legal services. Justin has provided pro bono and reduced rate representation for the Volunteer Lawyers Project, the Immigrant Legal Project, Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault Services of McCook and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. He is an advocate for community development and growing the local economy. Justin remains committed to providing local, low-cost, quality legal services to the underrepresented rural areas of the state.
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Susan Reff, Omaha
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Susan, a partner with Hightower Reff Law, has personally volunteered in all VLP programs: case referrals, clinics, and the Tenant Assistance Project. More recently her firm has adopted a model known as A Day of Service, which allows the entire firm to engage with their community. Through A Day of Service, the law firm opens its doors and accepts all family law cases from the case placement list that would benefit from limited scope legal services. Susan’ vision for a better Nebraska where more people living in poverty have access to justice is inspirational. |
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Audrey R. Svane, Lincoln
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Audrey is a partner in Woods Aitken’s litigation department and her practice includes construction law, commercial litigation, and product liability and personal injury claims. She has been a committed volunteer with the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Tenant Assistance Project since the pandemic. Pro bono work has become a critical part of Audrey’s practice, and she was instrumental in the creation of her law firm’s written pro bono policy. Audrey is a recent addition to the Board of Legal Aid of Nebraska and is a member of the Robert Van Pelt American Inn of Court. |
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Past Visionary Award Winners
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2023 Melodie Bellamy
Ross Pesek Ryan Swaroff 2022 Tana M. Fye Catherine "Kate" M. Mahern Ryan J. Stover 2021 Frederick "Fritz" Bartell Mindy Rush-Chipman 2020 Ann Mangiameli Paul W. Snyder Karine Sokpoh 2019 Molly Brummond Terry Grennan Todd Richardson 2018 Ryan Sullivan Jennifer Kearney Brouillette, Dugan & Troshynski Vertical Divider
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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 |