The legal profession owes a debt of gratitude to Creighton University Law Professor G. Michael Fenner.

Fenner helped preserve the Nebraska State Bar Association in the immediate aftermath of its court-mandated transition to a vol­untary membership. Fenner has facilitated visits by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to teach law seminars at Creighton for more than two decades. On a personal level, Fenner has mentored, en­couraged and supported countless law students and young attorneys as they began their careers.

Democracy requires participation from its citizens, who in turn need to have the information and under­standing necessary to evaluate com­plex decisions. 

The First Amendment freedoms that compose this year’s Law Day theme – “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society” – are the basis of rep­resentative government and are inte­gral to the U.S. Constitution’s prom­ise of the “Blessings of Liberty.”

Despite the headwinds facing the industry, Nebraska has a rich variety of newspapers, from gen­eral-interest publications to more niche outlets serving communities connected by occupation, religion or geography.

The First Amendment guaran­tees these publications freedom from government censorship, es­pecially suppression of material prior to publication – except in rare instances of bona fide national se­curity concerns.

Legal Aid of Nebraska: To the Muddy Rescue and Beyond

The water came from everywhere and it seems few, if any, were ready for what happened in the middle of March. Historic flooding ravaged much of Nebraska. Federal disaster relief came, but so much more was needed.

That need was, and is, one that could not wait. Legal Aid of Nebraska – the organization that provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income clients – was ready.