Bookended by standing ovations, Chief Justice Mike Heavican accepted his State Bar Foundation Public Service award from longtime friend and former colleague, Judge John Colborn.

The Chief Justice took the podium and began by recognizing members of the Nebraska Supreme Court, noting that this Court has taken on a number of new administrative responsibilities that were not contemplated by the Supreme Court 20 years ago. He thanked staff including State Court Administrator Corey Steel who “really takes on a huge number of responsibilities for the courts,” explaining that Steel and his staff had spent the past week dealing with ways to keep courts operating during the Corona Virus emergency.

In introducing the award, Colborn quoted from Heavican’s nomination, saying, “As anyone familiar with the Chief and his lifetime record of public service would know, this nomination is more than well-deserved. The primary reason for my nomination is the fact that whenever I attend a Bar Foundation or a Nebraska Bar event or activity, Chief Justice Heavican is there,” Colborn quoted. 

He continued saying, “We would all agree, Mike Heavican shows up everywhere, at all hours, and it is more than simply making an appearance. Our Chief Justice is approachable, he is knowledgeable, and he cares -- he cares about the health and wellbeing of our legal community as much as he cares about the individual communities here in Nebraska.”

In speaking directly to the lawyers in attendance, Heavican said, “The legal profession, like the rest of the world, is transitioning extremely rapidly with technology and all kinds of other things we have to do. So please keep trying to answer that question, ‘Is there a way we can do this better?’” 

Read the full story: Chief Justice Heavican Recognized by Nebraska State Bar Foundation for 45 Years of Public Service  https://www.nebarfnd.org/news/chief-justice-heavican-recognized-nebraska-state-bar-foundation-45-years-public-service