Legal News

Judge Hansen Takes Crystal Gavel as OBA President

Published by Derek Noehren on Fri, 07/30/2021 - 5:00am

Incoming Omaha Bar Association President Judge Stephanie Hansen, left, presents outgoing OBA President Dave Koukol with a crystal gavel during the OBA President’s Reception at Lucille’s in the Old Market, July 21, 2021. (David Golbitz/Daily Record)

Although she technically became the new Omaha Bar Association president on July 1, Judge Stephanie Hansen officially took the reins last week at the OBA’s President’s Reception.

“Thanks for the honor,” Hansen said at the event, held at Lucille’s in the Old Market. “It’s fun to look around and get to see all the faces of the people who have shaped the Omaha Bar Association and continue to do so.”

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Lawsuit Alleges Prosecutors’ Comments Led to Suicide

Published by Derek Noehren on Fri, 07/30/2021 - 12:00am

The family of a white Omaha bar owner who killed himself after being charged in the fatal shooting of a Black man during 2020 protests over racial injustice is suing local prosecutors, alleging their comments led to his suicide.

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Meetings & Seminars For the Legal Community

Published by Nikki Ratay on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 12:45pm

The Daily Record is collecting information on meetings and seminars for the legal community.

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Field Day Returns as First Major OBA Event Held in Person

Published by Derek Noehren on Wed, 07/28/2021 - 5:00am

Golfers celebrate a successful chip shot that made it into the hole during the OBA Field Day golf tournament at Champions Run, Monday, July 19, 2021. (Scott Stewart/Daily Record)

Nearly 150 Omaha Bar Association members enjoyed a day of golf, pickleball and camaraderie at the OBA’s annual Field Day event.

Held at Champions Run on July 19, this was the first Field Day — and first major in person event held by the OBA — since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. OBA Executive Director Dave Sommers was glad to see so many members participate.

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Unvaccinated Maine Lawyer Required to Wear Mask at Trial

Published by Derek Noehren on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 12:00am

An attorney who declined to be vaccinated for COVID-19 had to wear a mask during a trial this week after losing an appeal to the state supreme court.

Darrick X. Banda, who likened the mask to “a dunce cap,” said the timing of new court rules this month didn’t give him time to be vaccinated, even if he’d wanted to do so. His co-counsel, who’s vaccinated, didn’t have to wear a mask.

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Second Round of Battle of BARtenders Goes Down to Wire

Published by Derek Noehren on Fri, 07/23/2021 - 5:00am

Omaha Bar Association Executive Director Dave Sommers, center, imitating a zebra, raises Steve Hogan’s arm in victory over a disbelieving Mallory Hughes in the second round of the “Battle of the Guest BARtenders” at Berry Law’s offices, July 14, 2021. (David Golbitz/Daily Record)

Fraser Stryker’s Smilin’ Steve Hogan came away with an upset victory against Marvelous Mallory Hughes of Berry Law in the second round of the Omaha Bar Association’s “Battle of the Guest BARtenders.”

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Barristers’ Club Steak Fry Signals a Return to Normalcy

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 07/22/2021 - 5:00am

For the first time in more than a year, the Omaha Barristers’ Club held its first in-person event last week at Hanscom Park.

The annual Steak Fry, sponsored by The Daily Record, was the first opportunity for many attorneys in attendance to socialize with their peers since the start of the pandemic.

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9 Apply for Open Spot on Sarpy County Juvenile Court Bench

Published by Derek Noehren on Fri, 07/16/2021 - 12:00am

Nine applicants are seeking an appointment to replace Judge Lawrence D. Gendler on the Separate Juvenile Court for Sarpy County.

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Censure Sought for Judge Who Nixed Same-Sex Adoption

Published by Derek Noehren on Fri, 07/16/2021 - 12:00am

Former state Rep. Ernie Chambers is known for seeking the censure of Nebraska judges he believes have acted outside the bounds of fairness. Now, Chambers is targeting a judge in the state’s northeastern corner who saw the Nebraska Supreme Court overturn his denial of an adoption petition to a same-sex couple.