Access to Justice Commission Law Day Recognition Awarded by Omaha Bar Association
The Omaha Bar Association (OBA) awarded the Nebraska Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission with their Robert M. Spire Public Service Award on Friday, April 30, 2021, during their Law Day celebration.
The OBA’s Robert M. Spire Public Service Award is named after Bob Spire, an attorney who dedicated his career to public service and was instrumental in protecting and promoting the administration of and access to justice. The recognition of the work of the Access to Justice Commission included the work of the Commission’s standing committees: Self-Represented Litigation Committee; Committee on Equity and Fairness; Consortium of Tribal, State, and Federal Courts; and the former Language Access Committee.
In the announcement of the Award, the OBA noted that members of the Commission and its related committees dedicated their time and expertise to improving equal access to swift, fair justice for all Nebraskans regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, or language. Justice Stephanie Stacy and Nebraska State Bar Association Executive Director Liz Neeley are Co-Chairs of the Access to Justice Commission.
Law Day is a nationally recognized day to celebrate the rule of law. The rule of law adheres to the principles of equality before the law, accountability to the law, and fairness in the application of the law. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the role of the courts and also an opportunity to acknowledge the important work individuals do in ensuring the integrity of the judicial system.
Listen to acceptance remarks Justice Stephanie Stacy, Co-Chair of the Access to Justice Commission: Law Day 2021 - Justice Stephanie Stacy, Access to Justice Commission (Spire Award) - YouTube.
Watch interviews on the OBA Website (OBA webpage information and links below)
Robert M. Spire Public Service Award Recipient for 2021: Access to Justice Commission
The Nebraska Access to Justice Commission was formed by the Nebraska Supreme Court on March 22, 2017. The Commission was previously the Minority Justice Committee. The purpose of the Commission is “to promote the Nebraska Supreme Court’s goal of providing equal access to swift, fair justice for all Nebraskans regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age or language.” The standing committees of the Commission are: (1) Self-Represented Litigation Committee, (2) Committee on Equity and Fairness, (3) Consortium of Tribal, State, and Federal Courts, and (4) Language Access Committee.
The Commission and its committees’ work are the result of dozens of attorneys committing hundreds (if not thousands) of hours of volunteer work. As a public service committed to helping the public better understand the law and have equal access, the Access to Justice Commission is perfectly suited to receive the OBA’s Robert M. Spire Public Service Award. The Award is named after Bob Spire, an attorney who dedicated his career to public service, and was instrumental in the creation of the Legal Aid of Society of Nebraska.
The OBA was able to sit down with many of the leaders of the Commission and its committees, to learn more about their work. You can watch those videos here:
(1) Hon. Stephanie Stacy, Nebraska Supreme Court - Co-Chair of the Access to Justice Commission
(2) Liz Neeley, Nebraska State Bar Association - Co-Chair of the Access to Justice Commission
(3) Hon. Frankie Moore, Nebraska Court of Appeals - Chair of the Self-Represented Litigation Committee
(4) Hon. Stefanie Martinez, Sarpy County District Court - Chair of the Committee on Equity and Fairness