Nebraska Lawyers Foundation Supports Legal Profession
While this year’s Barristers’ Ball might be taking place in a virtual space, its mission remains very real to the many helped by the Nebraska Lawyers Foundation.
The money raised during the ball funds programs and services dedicated to the improvement of the legal profession and the administration of justice in Nebraska.
Barristers’ Ball co-chair Jason Doele urges participation in the ball and support of the foundation “because their generosity is funding projects that bring civil justice to Nebraskans that might not have access to an attorney or the court system otherwise.”
More than 7,000 low-income Nebraskans were helped by the foundation’s Volunteer Lawyers Project, Doele said. Attorneys provided pro bono work through the VLP to help families access FEMA benefits after the historic floods in the spring of 2019, and they’re helping families facing legal trouble as a result of the coronavirus pandemic that started in the spring of 2020.
Volunteering for the VLP is just one of many ways Omaha legal professionals can assist their community, Doele said.
“You can also support the Nebraska Lawyers Foundation by getting involved at the program level,” Doele said.
In addition to the VLP, the Nebraska Lawyer Foundations runs a Rural Practice Initiative, an LSAT Prep Scholarship Program and SOLACE, which is short for Support Of Lawyers/Legal Personnel - All Concern Encouraged and helps members of the Nebraska legal community who experience a sudden, catastrophic loss due to an unexpected event, illness or injury.
One of the biggest concerns facing the Barrister’s Ball Committee is whether moving the event online will hinder their ability to raise funds, but Doele said the opportunity exists to grow the reach of the event across the entire state.
“This is our first attempt at an online auction,” Doele said. “It is entirely possible that with online access, we could actually expand the number of lawyers who participate from across the state.”
If fundraising goals are not met, Doele said, some programs will have to be scaled back, though the Nebraska State Bar Association has been and will continue to look into grant opportunities.
Doele said the staff at the state bar as the real heroes making sure the ball happens.
“Without their dedication and expertise, we wouldn’t be able to do this type of program – no matter if it is in-person or streamed online,” Doele said.
For those unable to participate in this year’s livestreamed Barristers’ Ball, Doele still encourages them to check out the ball’s online silent auction, which runs from through Saturday, and to get ready for the annual golf tournament on Friday, Aug. 28, at the Dismal River Golf Club in Mullen.
In addition to contributions from state bar members, the foundation also receives grants from local, state and national foundations, as well as contributions from corporate sponsorship.
For more information about the Nebraska Lawyers Foundation, and to explore other ways you can contribute, visit nebar.com/page/NLF.
Nebraska Lawyers Foundation Programs & Services
• Volunteer Lawyers Project: Created more than 35 years ago, the VLP assists low-income Nebraskans in receiving pro bono and reduced fee legal services from volunteers.
The project’s mission is to provide access to people who, whether for social or economic reasons, are unable to receive equal justice in Nebraska’s criminal justice system.
• Nebraska Lawyers Assistance Program: The NLAP offers help to lawyers, judges and law students who are dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues.
The bedrock of the program is a network of volunteer judges and lawyers throughout Nebraska who are themselves recovering from substance abuse or psychological problems.
The NLAP also offers educational material about recognizing when a colleague is going through difficulties and being proactive in getting them help.
• SOLACE (Support Of Lawyers/Legal Personnel - All Concern Encouraged) Program: SOLACE provides material support to any member of the Nebraska legal community who suffers a sudden, catastrophic loss due to an unexpected event, illness or injury.
Through contributions of clothing, housing, transportation, medical community contacts and more, SOLACE endeavors to lighten the load when life throws you a curveball.
• Rural Practice Initiative: Currently, 11 of Nebraska’s 93 counties have no lawyers, which the RPI hopes to remedy by connecting law students and lawyers with employment opportunities in rural Nebraska.
• Leadership Academy Support and Scholarships: The goal of the NSBA Leadership Academy is to develop leadership skills among the participants, to allow them to make greater contributions to the legal profession and their community.
The academy consists of a day-and-a-half retreat and monthly sessions that discuss what makes an effective leader, your work-life balance, and other issues facing the legal profession.
• LSAT Prep Scholarship Program: This program was established to open the doorway to a career in the legal profession for people who are historically underrepresented in Nebraska’s law schools.
The scholarships cover the cost of registering for the LSAT and a Kaplan LSAT prep course for both traditional and non-traditional students from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds.
– Nebraska Lawyers Foundation
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