Amy Van Horne’s success stemmed from her unique background as a teacher, as she approached the practice in a distinct way compared to others with extensive litigation experience.

Being part of a family with a strong legal background, Amy has followed in the footsteps of her parents, grandparents, and even an uncle who served on the Iowa Supreme Court. Her career path took her from being a teacher in Omaha Public Schools to working as a clerk for the Iowa Supreme Court. Eventually, she transitioned to practicing law in the areas of advertising, marketing, and food law at a private firm.

Amy is now a partner at Kutak Rock. She recently received the prestigious Robert M. Spire Award for her outstanding commitment to pro bono service for the underprivileged. This annual award is bestowed upon a Nebraska lawyer who demonstrates exceptional dedication to providing legal assistance to those in need.

Amy explained that pro bono service is deeply ingrained in Kutak Rock's values, which resonates with her personally. Winning this award held special significance for her as Harold Rock, one of the firm's founders, was the previous year's recipient. Amy and Harold had even shared a secretary when she was a young lawyer starting out.

Amy has been on the board of Legal Aid of Nebraska since January 2015, and currently volunteers for the Tenant Assistance Project (TAP) in Douglas County. Her involvement in TAP entails taking on cases of individuals facing eviction, providing them with legal representation to prevent homelessness.

TAP is a collaborative program involving over twenty organizations, including the Nebraska State Bar Association and Legal Aid of Nebraska. It was designed by Ryan Sullivan, a professor at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Since its inception, the program has significantly reduced the rate of immediate eviction judgments from 90% to just 2%.

Amy emphasizes the importance of providing timely assistance to those in the program. Many individuals simply need a little extra time or financial support to avoid losing their homes, enabling them to continue contributing to society. Losing housing can lead to the loss of employment when individuals face challenges commuting to work.

Despite the demanding nature of the work, Amy finds immense reward in it. She believes that everyone deserves a helping hand at some point in their lives, and the people served by TAP often lack any other immediate support. She considers herself fortunate to have had a mentor, Mike Mullin, who guided her throughout her professional journey. In a reciprocal manner, Amy has been able to assist others through her work, while also honing her Spanish language skills and enjoying the courtroom experiences she missed during her focus on mediation.

Before joining TAP, Amy volunteered at legal clinics in the Douglas County Courthouse, where she assisted individuals with form completion and similar tasks. While these clinics provided valuable support, TAP offers more immediate and comprehensive aid to those in need.

When her previous field of law began to decline, Amy sought advice from her brother, who suggested having a conversation with Mike Mullin about taking on some of his litigation caseload, as he was turning more to mediation. This decision proved pivotal, as she gradually took on more cases and eventually decided to develop her skills as a mediator.

Amy attributes her growth as a mediator to the guidance and support of Mike Mullin, who allowed her to learn from her mistakes and develop her own style. As she gained confidence, she expanded her network and built a thriving mediation practice by settling cases effectively.

Amy firmly believes in the power of mentorship, regardless of one's chosen path. Mentorship to Amy is being able to draw inspiration from accomplished individuals in their respective fields and mentees being allowed to add their own unique touch is key to personal growth and success. She herself has benefitted greatly from the guidance of her mentor, Mike Mullin, who encouraged her to carve her own path and provided support when needed.

Alongside her professional pursuits, Amy dedicates time to playing the piano, a passion she has nurtured since childhood. She continues to take lessons and remains a lifelong learner. Additionally, she has devoted herself to learning Spanish and even attended an immersion school in Spain to improve her language skills. Her experience in Spain accelerated her ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking clients. This skill has proven invaluable in mediation cases, as it allows her to better understand and address their needs. Amy highlights the importance of language proficiency, as sometimes interpreters may unintentionally omit crucial details. Amy recollects a case where a daughter failed to mention her father's hobby of racing stock cars. By recognizing the Spanish word for "car," Amy was able to uncover important information for the case.

Amy's career journey began as a teacher and eventually led her to the legal profession. She faced challenges and took non-traditional routes, but her determination and willingness to learn enabled her to excel as a mediator. Through years of hard work, networking, and giving presentations to legal associations, Amy has established a successful mediation practice.