La Vista – The Nebraska Defense Counsel Association recently presented its 2019 awards.

Dan Placzek, a partner at Smith Johnson Baack Placzek Allen Connick & Hansen, was named Defense Counsel of the Year.

Two senior partners at Baylor Evnen, Randall L. Goyette and Stephen S. Gealy, received the Master Emeritus Award.

The NDCA, which represents about 200 Nebraska attorneys whose primary practice is the defense of civil lawsuits, presented the awards following a luncheon at its annual meeting and seminar on June 7 at the La Vista Conference Center.

At the meeting, the NDCA also elected its 2019-2020 officers. Julie Jorgensen, of counsel at Morrow Willnauer Church LLC, was elected president. Emily R. Motto, a partner at Baylor Evnen LLP, was elected president-elect. Tara T. Paulson, a partner of Rembolt Ludtke LLP, was elected treasurer. Cathy S. Trent-Vilim, a partner at Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP, is the organization’s immediate past president.

The Defense Counsel of the Year award is given to an attorney who offers superior representation in civil defense matters, has success in trials and handles novel defense issues, while displaying ethics and leadership.

Placzek was introduced by Jared Krejci, an associate at the Grand Island law firm. Krejci said Placzek mentors young lawyers, even those outside their firm.

“He really cares about trying cas­es and that future generations know how to do that,” Krejci said. “His clients have been very well-served by his work.”

Placzek said being a defense at­torney is a great job because of the relationships you form, and he said he’s known some NDCA members for the past 30 years.

“You develop these relation­ships, and you learn who you can trust and whose work you can count on,” Placzek said.

Placzek advised younger attor­neys present to keep track of their trials over their career so they can be ready when honorary organiza­tions or others ask for that informa­tion. He encouraged them to track dates, judges, opposing counsel, the trial court, how the case turned out and what the trial was worth.

The Master Emeritus Award goes to NDCA members who have prac­ticed more than 30 years with the highest degree of professionalism, ethics and leadership.

Motto introduced the two recipi­ents from Baylor Evnen, who both will be transitioning to of counsel status at the firm.

“I can’t think of any persons more deserving than Randy Goyette and Steve Gealy,” Motto said.

Goyette is a past Lincoln Bar Association president and former manager partner of the firm.

“Randy is a truly lawyer’s law­yer, not only because he’s highly regarded in the area of professional liability defense, and routinely de­fends lawyers, but also because he’s a mentor, he’s a confidant and a counselor to everyone around him, both personally and profes­sionally,” Motto said.

Goyette said he appreciated the recognition, as well as the chance to share the spotlight.

“It’s a wonderful award, and it’s particularly wonderful to receive it with Steve,” he said.

Motto said Gealy is a natural educator and teacher.

“His trial experience is second to none,” Motto said. “He teaches through storytelling, and he’s a master of developing trial theme and strategy.”

Gealy said he appreciated the op­portunities to learn at his firm.

“I am truly humbled at this award because this organization has been something that has been dear to me from my earliest memories of the practice of law,” Gealy said.