Omaha Bar Association "Bar Talk" Podcast: Recent Episodes
Omaha Bar Association
Voluntary association of attorneys, judges, and law students in Omaha, Nebraska. Est. 1875. More information at www.omahabarassociation.com.
A Reading of the Declaration of Independence for 250th Anniversary by Omaha Bar Association
Remarks by Hon. Francie Riedmann, Judge on the Nebraska Court of Appeals, at the 2026 Omaha Bar Association Memorial Service on May 15, 2026.
The OBA sits down with Dave Domina of Domina Law Group, to talk about his life, career, and what the Rule of Law and the American Dream means to him. Dave is our featured guest speaker at the 2026 Omaha Law Day Lunch. #LawDay2026 #LawDay
We sit down with Leonard Matthias and Adam Thompson of the Sarpy County Teen Court program, to talk about the work that they do. Sarpy County Teen Court is the 2026 OBA Public Service Award recipient for non-attorney/non-attorney program.
Scott P. Moore, attorney at Baird Holm, is the 2026 Omaha Bar Association's Robert M. Spire Public Service Award recipient. We sat down with Scott to talk about his life, his work, and what the American Dream means to him. #LawDay2026 #LawDay
For 2026's Valentine's Day interview, we sit down with Hon. Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, retired judge from the Douglas County District Court, and her husband Hon. Pat Heng, active judge for the 11th Judicial District Court.
Recorded Thursday, January 15, 2026. Creighton School of Law Professor Mike Kelly presented to members of the Omaha Bar Association on the legal questions surrounding the capture and prosecution of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.This is approved for 1 hour of CLE in NE and IA. For credit, please email dave@omahabarassociation.com. Free for OBA members. $15 for non-members.
A conversation with Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman of the Nebraska Supreme Court. Justice Miller-Lerman was the first woman to serve as an appellate judge in Nebraska (Appointed to Nebraska Court of Appeals in 1992), and first woman to serve on the Nebraska Supreme Court (Appointed in 1998, Retired in 2025). Recorded October 2025, in conversation with Omaha Bar Association Executive Director Dave Sommers.
Recorded August 2025. Hal Daub, former mayor of Omaha and former Congressman representing Omaha in the U.S. Congress, discusses his history with the late Hon. Lyle Strom, and the story behind how the Hruska Federal Courthouse came to be.
This podcast is part of the 150th Anniversary celebration of the Omaha Bar Association in 2025.
Recorded in February 2024, this conversation is with then President of the Nebraska State Bar Association, Jason Grams. Jason is a past member of the board of the Omaha Bar Association.
We sit down with retired Nebraska Court of Appeals Judge Hon. John Irwin, to discuss his career, the history of the Court of Appeals in Nebraska, and his work in starting the Sarpy County Bar Association. This interview was done in connection with the Omaha Bar Association's 150th Anniversary in 2025.
Remarks made by Stu Dornan at the 2025 Omaha Bar Association Law Day Lunch on May, 1st, 2025.
We interview Education Rights Counsel CEO and Founder, Lauren Micek Vargas. ERC is our 2025 Robert M. Spire Award recipient and will be recognized at the Law Day Lunch on May 1, 2025.
Attorney Stu Dornan (Dornan Law Team) is the 2025 recipient of the Omaha Bar Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. We sit down with Stu to talk about his life, career, and family.
We talk with Trish Bergman and Kailey Edelman of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA), our 2025 OBA Public Service Award recipient. ENOA is an agency located in Omaha that focuses on helping the aging. Most known for their popular "meals on wheels" program, ENOA also coordinates assistance for in home medical care, has a network of ombudsmen to ensure high quality of care at area nursing homes, and engages active seniors in volunteer and mentoring programs.
Judge Vernon Daniels is our 2025 Laurie Smith Camp Integrity in Service Award recipient. We sat down with him to talk about what goes on in Juvenile Court, and the importance of mentoring to him.
We sit down with Omaha Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Chair Hannah Frankel to talk about the law, law school, law practice, and overachieving know-it-all older sisters. Recorded January 2025.
Former two term Nebraska Governor and two term U.S. Senator Ben Nelson speaks on the topic of being an effective elected official while being civil towards peers and political rivals. Recorded March 4, 2025 on the campus of University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Conversation moderated by UNO Professor Mark Scherer. A special thank you to the American Bar Association's Cornerstones of Democracy for grant funds for this event.This presentation has been approved for one hour of CLE credit in Nebraska and Iowa.
Interview with 2024-2025 Omaha Bar Association President Angela Lennon. Angela is a partner at Koenig Dunne law firm in Omaha, Nebraska.
Presenters: Mallory Hughes, Berry Law Firm Tiffany Beerman, Dvorak Law Group David Pontier, Koenig Dunne Kyle McGinn, Hauptman O'BrienDescription:One of the most important skills a lawyer can have is rarely, if at all taught in law school. Management of the relationship, communications, work, and expectations with the client is critically important. We've assembled attorneys from Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Family Law, and Business Law backgrounds to discuss their do's and don'ts of client management.Outline of Discussion:1. Initial Consultations – Setting the Stage/Ground Rules -Client Screening and Selection -Ground Rules for Representation -Client Onboarding2. Client Communications – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly -Forms of Communication -Updates and Case Progress -Using technology for communication (e.g., client portals) -Client education and empowerment – help them help themselves3. Expectations Game-Clarity in Expectations, Understanding what the Client is hearing/wanting to hear-Expect the worst, hope for the best (but don’t talk about the absolute best too much)-Managing timelines and deliverables-Dealing with client dissatisfaction4. Case Management Systems / Retainer Agreements / Office Staff Points of Contact -Billing Practices and Systems – An important part of the relationship -Client Feedback and Satisfaction Surveys5. Can’t Win Them All – Dealing with Difficult Clients-Strategies for managing unreasonable client demands-Conflict resolution with clients-Recognizing when to withdraw from representation
Todd Kinney, attorney at Kutak Rock in Omaha, sits down to talk about his legal career and his new book "I Didn't Believe It Either: One Dad's Discovery That Everything Is Better Without Alcohol." More info on Todd and his book can be found at https://www.toddkinney.com/.
Attorney Lisa Gonzalez of Johnson & Pekny discusses being drafted (yes drafted - that's our process in Omaha) into being a poll worker for elections in Omaha, Nebraska.
Remarks by Tom Riley, Douglas County Public Defender, at the 2024 Omaha Bar Association Memorial Service on May 22, 2024.
Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen's remarks at the 2024 Law Day Lunch of the Omaha Bar Association. The 2024 Law Day Theme is "Voices of Democracy." Recorded on May 1, 2024.
Interview with Brian Kruse, Douglas County Election Commissioner, as part of our 2024 Law Day theme, Voices of Democracy. For more information go to https://www.omahabarassociation.com/page/LawDay2024.
Interview with Jennifer Gaughan and Muirne Heaney of Legal Aid of Nebraska, the Omaha Bar Association's 2024 Robert M. Spire Public Service Award recipients. For more info, go to https://www.omahabarassociation.com/page/LawDay2024.
Interview with Dianne S. Lozier, the 2024 Laurie Smith Camp Integrity in Service Award recipient from the Omaha Bar Association. More info at https://www.omahabarassociation.com/page/LawDay2024.
The Nebraska Examiner is the 2024 Omaha Bar Association's Public Service Award Recipient for non-attorneys/non-attorney organizations. Interview with Cate Folsom, Editor-in-Chief of the Nebraska Examiner.
Omaha attorney Daniel Gutman sits down to talk about Washington, D.C., Election Law, solo law practice, and his new venture - the 1st Amendment Clinic at the University of Nebraska College of Law. Recorded September 2023.
This is the audio recording of the robing ceremony for Hon. Derek Vaughn of Douglas County District Court. Recorded on February 23, 2024 at the Omaha Douglas Building's Legislative Chambers.
This is Part 2 of the "Bar Talk" Podcast from the Omaha Bar Association on #LawyerLove for Valentine's Day 2024. We ask the deep, shallow, and in between questions that count to three attorney couples who are members of the OBA. Part 2 is our conversation with Mallory Hughes and John Berry of Berry Law Firm. Enjoy!
We are back for another "Bar Talk" Podcast from the Omaha Bar Association on #LawyerLove for Valentine's Day 2024. We ask the deep, shallow, and in between questions that count to three attorney couples who are members of the OBA. Part 1 includes Hon. Shelly Stratman (Douglas County District Court Judge) and her husband Gregg Stratman (Small Business Administration, followed by Kamron Hasan (Husch Blackwell) and Jordan Hasan (Scoular Corporation). Enjoy!
Lauren Micek Vargas, attorney and Executive Director of the Education Rights Council, sits down to talk about the work her organization is doing in the area of Education Law here in Nebraska.
Hon. Stephanie Shearer, Judge of the Douglas County Court, 4th Judicial District in Omaha, Nebraska, talks with past OBA President Stu Dornan of Dornan Law Team. Recorded April 2023.
Attorney Jay Jackson of Kutak Rock is the 2023 Omaha Bar Association Law Day Lunch's featured speaker, talking on the 2023 Law Day Theme of "Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration." OBA Executive Director Dave Sommers sat down with Jay to talk about this theme in August 2022, soon after the release of his book "Decent Discourse."
Community Alliance is the Omaha Bar Association's 2023 OBA Public Service Award recipient for a non-attorney organization. We sit down with Community Alliance Executive Director Carole Boye to learn about the work that the organization is doing to treat mental health in our community. Join us in congratulating Community Alliance on receiving this award and recognition, and thanking them for what they do!
Recorded March 2023. We sit down with Nebraska State Bar Association's Tenant Assistance Project staff (Lia Bies, Sarah O'Neill, Ryan Sump, and Cass Ward) to discuss the work they are doing to facilitate pro bono opportunities for attorneys to assist people facing eviction, and impact the program has had in the community. TAP is the 2023 recipient of the Laurie Smith Camp Integrity in Service Award from the Omaha Bar Association. We will be recognizing them at the Law Day Lunch on May 2nd. More info at www.omahabarassociation.com.
Recorded January 2023 with David Crum, Meagan Spomer, and Greg Lake of Nebraska Legal Group. Discussing the idea of mandatory attempts at settlement facilitation in Family Law cases in Nebraska.
Have you ever noticed how many attorney couples are out there? What's the secret to their success? How does an attorney relationship/marriage vary from a non-attorney relationship? We ask the deep questions on this 2023 Valentine's Day edition of the "Bar Talk" Podcast from the Omaha Bar Association. Part 1: Kate and Patrick McNamara / Part 2: Josh and Kendra Fershee / Part 3: Jeff and Hon. Stephanie Hansen. Enjoy!
Omaha Bar Association Interview with Tom Riley, Douglas County Public Defender. Recorded October 2022.
Recorded October 18, 2022. Panelists include Josh Woolf (Douglas County Attorney's Office), Eric Anderson and Katie Figgins (ESS), and Daniel Gutman (Private Practice Attorney). Attorneys seeking CLE credit in NE and IA can email dave@omahabarassociation.com for info. $10 for OBA Members, $25 for non-members wanting CLE credit.
Interview of Mike Mullin of Kutak Rock, mediator and past Omaha Bar Association President. The interview was recorded in June 2022. Interview conducted by OBA Executive Director Dave Sommers.
Omaha Bar Association's 2022 Law Day Lunch Featured Guest Speaker, Rebecca Begley, 8th Grade Social Studies teacher at Peter Kiewit Middle School, speaking on "The Law Through the Eyes of an 8th Grader." Recorded May 2, 2022.
The full program of the 2022 Omaha Bar Association Law Day Lunch. Speakers include: -Hon. Stephanie Hansen, OBA President -Doug Law, Law Day Committee Co-Chair -Andria Bell, Nebraska Paralegal Association -Dave Sommers, Omaha Bar Association -Steve Sieberson, Creighton School of Law -J. Scott Paul, McGrath North -Jennifer Petersen, OBA Past President -Deb Gilg, Former U.S. Attorney for District of Nebraska -Amy Longo, Ellick Jones -Rebecca Begley, 8th Grade Teacher at Peter Kiewit Middle School
Deb Gilg, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska, is the 2022 Laurie Smith Camp Integrity in Service Award recipient, and will be honored at the Omaha Bar Association Law Day on Monday, May 2, 2022. #lawday
"Bar Talk" Ep. 41: Woody Bradford of Houghton Bradford Whitted by Omaha Bar Association
The podcast version of Omaha's Law Day Lunch 2021. The video version was approved for 1 hour of general CLE credit in Nebraska. Included: (1) 5th Grade Poster Contest, (2) 8th Grade Essay Contest, (3) Lawyers in the Classroom, (4) OBA Public Service Award (Staff of the Douglas and Sarpy County Courthouses), (5) Robert M. Spire Public Service Award (Access to Justice Commission), (6) Alfred G. Ellick Lawyer Referral Service Award, (7) Laurie Smith Camp Integrity in Service Award, and (8) Featured Guest Speaker UNO Professor Mark Scherer - "Celebrating the Rule of Law in our Country"
Video chat recorded 5.4.2021, converted to podcast version on 5.5.2021. Angela Lennon, partner at Koenig Dunne law firm in Omaha, discusses her firm's online platform for pro se litigants and those wanting limited scope representation in their divorces. More info at www.untieonline.com.
Dr. Matthew Garlinghouse, UNMC Neuropsychologist, was the featured speaker at the 2020 Medical Legal Dinner, the annual joint meeting of the Omaha Bar Association and the Metro Omaha Medical Society. Dr. Garlinghouse speech was entitled, "THC, CBD, and the OPD: Can there be therapeutic use of endogenous cannabinoids in Nebraska?" Recorded 3.5.2020.
The OBA sits down with Hon. Patrick Runge, Chief Judge of the Winnebago Tribal Court and Ponca Tribal Court, and owner of Runge Law Office, to discuss Patrick's career and tribal law in Nebraska. (Recorded in July 2019)
The OBA sits down with regular Pod Panelists Joe Bradley (Bradley Law) and Patrick McNamara (Goosmann Law) and "jumps" into talk about Leap Day/Leap Year, the "leaps" made professionally from and to solo law practice, and a long riff on the TV show Quantum Leap. Take the leap and have a listen!
We sit down with members of the Omaha Barristers Club to discuss next Thursday's (12.12.2019) Christmas Show. For tickets, email omahabarristersclub@gmail.com. $65 per person. NOTE: The show has moved to The Paxton Ballroom. Parking instructions for the venue will be given when you email omahabarristersclub@gmail.com.
The OBA sits down with regular Pod Panelists Joe Bradley (Bradley Law), Patrick McNamara (Welch Law Firm), and Jordan Holst (PD's Office) to talk Wings (hot wings/eating challenges), Wings (Paul McCartney's band), and more Wings (TV sitcom from the '90s). WARNING: Chewing sounds and a few salty words are in this episode.
Remarks made by OBA Past President Stu Dornan at the 2019 OBA Memorial Service. The Service honors those among us who have passed in the previous year.
Lorraine Boyd is a 2019 OBA Public Service Award recipient, recognized for her decades of reporting and editing at The Daily Record. In April 2019, the OBA sat down with Lorraine to discuss her career.
Lynda Henningsen, owner and publisher of The Daily Record (www.omahadailyrecord.com), is a recipient of the 2019 OBA Public Service Award. Lynda will receive the award at the Law Day Lunch on May 1, 2019. The OBA interviewed Lynda in March 2019, in advance of her accepting the award.
Creighton University School of Law Professor Mike Fenner sits down to discuss his 46 years of teaching at Creighton Law, his upcoming retirement, the finer points of the First Amendment, and his being chosen as the 2019 Omaha Bar Association Robert M. Spire Public Service Award recipient. Professor Fenner will be accepting the award on May 1, 2019, at the OBA Law Day Lunch.
Retired Omaha Police detective Jon Blecha and Jack Atkins (son of Omaha bootlegger John Atkins) talk at an Omaha Bar Association gathering at Safari Cigars & Spirits in November 2018. For more information on Jon and Jack's book "Cigars and Wires," check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cigarsandwires
We take you behind-the-scenes and under-the-robes in a preview of the 2018 Omaha Barristers Christmas Show. SHOW DATE: December 13, 2018. Podcast Participants: John Cavanaugh Jr, Joe Bradley, Jeff Leuschen, Dave Sommers
Hal Daub served 4 terms in the U.S. Congress, 2 terms as Mayor of Omaha, and a variety of other public service positions in his career. He also continues to practice law at the Omaha office of Husch Blackwell. The OBA sat down with Hal for a wide-ranging discussion on the legal profession, public service, and what continues to keep him motivated after 50 years of legal practice. Recorded on November 21, 2018.
We sit down with OBA member Patrick McNamara for some hot takes on the revisions to the Rules of Golf, golf equipment, and suggested improvements for the game of golf. Recorded October 13, 2018.
Past OBA Presidents Mike Mullin (Kutak Rock), Mike Kinney (Cassem Tierney), and John Brownrigg (Brownrigg Mediation) held a panel discussion on Mediations in Nebraska at the 2018 NSBA Annual Meeting. The CLE was put on by the OBA Young Lawyers Division, and moderated by Amy Van Horne (Kutak Rock).
A conversation with Nebraska Supreme Court Associate Justice Funke about the work being done on the BENCH Media Committee to give greater access to cameras in the courtrooms of Nebraska. More info on the effort can be found at https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/media.
The OBA Podcast sits down to talk with Jacob Baker, a Creighton Law first year student whose unique background has lead him to start a podcast for law students at Creighton. Recorded in September 2018.
"Bar Talk" Roundtable regulars Joe Bradely, Jordan Holst, and Patrick McNamamara discuss pressing and timely topics, including (1) I Like Beer, (2) A Hint of Lime, and (3) Show Us Your Calendars. Recorded on October 5, 2018.
Hon. Gary Randall of the Douglas County District Court spoke at the 2018 Omaha Bar Association Membership Dinner Welcoming Newly Admitted Attorneys. Approximately 30 attorneys who were sworn into law practice last week were on hand to hear the remarks, along with a large number of seasoned attorneys and members of the judiciary. Judge Randall discussed his story of ending up on the bench, and imparted some words of wisdom for those just starting their legal careers.
We sit down with OBA Members Kate McNamara (Fraser Stryker) and Hannah Sommers (Slowiaczek Albers) to discuss a new group they formed this year, the Academy of Young Professionals in Omaha. More information on the Academy can be found at www.academyomaha.com.
Local attorney Kenny Jacobs sits down with the Omaha Bar Association to talk about his move to Omaha a few years ago, criminal defense practice, moving out of the Historical Library Building, and his background. More info on Kenny at http://www.kennyjacobslaw.com/.
OBA Podcast Panelists Joe Bradley (Bradley Law), Jordan Holst (Ellick Jones), and Jeremy Elliott (Hauptman O'Brien) stop by the pod for some hot takes on there favorites in three categories: (1) Favorite Commandment, (2) Favorite Amendment, (3) Favorite Refreshment. As always, we try to keep the conversation legally relevant as possible, and always nerdy. Recorded on July 18, 2018.
Interview with past OBA President J. Terry Macnamara. Mr. Macnamara has served as "Of Counsel" for the leadership of the Omaha Bar Association for over 20 years, and is a regular attendee at OBA events.
"Bar Talk" roundtable regulars Joe Bradley (Bradley Law Firm) and Jordan Holst (Ellick Jones) join OBA Executive Director to discuss (1) Non-Disclosure Agreements, (2) Cameras in the Courtroom in Nebraska, and (3) Favorite legal films. Come for the information, stay to be entertained.
OBA Executive Director Dave Sommers sits down with Interim Director of the Creighton Law Library, Troy Johnson, to discuss the Library, the public service done by the library, and some of the more exotic parts of the library's collection.
April 2018 interview of Hon. Micheal G. Heavican, Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court. Chief Justice Heavican is the 2018 Omaha Bar Association Robert M. Spire Public Service Award Recipient.
Interview with John Slowiazcek, Managing Partner at Slowiaczek Albers PC LLO in Omaha.
Helpful Links: John's Firm Website - www.saalawyers.com Website for American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - www.aaml.org
2017 interview with 2007-2008 OBA President Amy Longo of Ellick Jones law firm in Omaha. Amy was the 2017 recipient of the OBA Lifetime Achievement Award. More information on Amy can be found at http://ellickjones.com/amylongo.php.
Audio recording of the 28th Annual "Lunch with Fenner" at Creighton University. Featured speaker: Professor G. Michael Fenner, Constitutional Law Professor at Creighton University School of Law.
Talk Title: "The Most Important Case Since 1819 Regarding the Structure of Our Government is in the United States Supreme Court Right Now"
Interview with Scott Hahn, Chair of the Nebraska State Bar Association's Pro Bono Committee's Sub Committee on Limited Scope Representation. Scott is an attorney at the Hightower Reff law firm in Omaha, Nebraska. This interview was conducted in February 2018. Scott received the Omaha Bar Association Young Lawyers Division "Champions of Law" Award for Education for his work with Limited Scope Representation on February 8, 2018.
Interview with Mike Kinney, past president of the Omaha Bar Association and Nebraska State Bar Association, about the SOLACE program he founded and serves as point of contact for. Mike is a partner at the Cassem Tierney law firm in Omaha, Nebraska. This interview was conducted on January 18, 2018.
December 2017 interview with Past Omaha Bar Association President, David S. Houghton. Houghton, also a past president of the Nebraska State Bar Association, is currently on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, and in leadership of the American Bar Foundation. http://www.houghtonbradford.com/attorneys/dshoughton.aspx
We take you behind-the-scenes and under-the-robes in a preview of the 2017 Omaha Barristers Christmas Show. SHOW DATE: December 14, 2017 Keyboard intro music and the "hidden track recording" performed by Joy Suder, Barristers Past President.
In this episode, Joe Bradley, Jordan Holst, Jeremy Elliott, and Patrick McNamara discuss the law of return policies at US retailers, changes to parent/protected person visitation in Nebraska, and our favorite legal cases of all time. Recorded November 11, 2017.
Interview with Hon. Doug Johnson of the Douglas County Separate Juvenile Court, in Omaha, Nebraska. Judge Johnson is also the immediate past president of the Omaha Bar Association. Recorded on Nov. 3, 2017.
Attorneys Tom Gross (Sodoro Daly) and Jeff Leuschen (Schirber & Wagner) discuss the basics of criminal law practice in Nebraska and Iowa. Materials are available for OBA Members.
Resident Star Wars expert Joe Bradley takes Patrick McNamara, Jordan Holst, and Dave Sommers to Rebel Alliance/Jedi School in this roundtable discussion of all things Star Wars related.
Presented by the Omaha Bar Association's Young Lawyers' Division, this continuing legal education (CLE) seminar took place in May 2017. PowerPoint slides associated with the seminar are available exclusively to OBA members. www.omahabarassociation.com
Omaha Bar Association Executive Director Dave Sommers interviews Hon. Lyle E. Strom, Senior Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. Strom has spent 64 years in law practice; 32 years in private practice, and 32 years on the bench. He plans to take inactive senior status later this year.
Organized by the Omaha Bar Association, "Bar Talk" is a round table discussion of news topics by attorneys in Omaha, Nebraska. Lawyers nerding out over items in the news, with a sprinkle of humor; that's "Bar Talk."
Roundtable discussion recorded on 9.20.2017 with attorneys Joe Bradley, Jeremy Elliott, Jordan Holst, Adam Tabor, and Patrick McNamara. Hosted by Dave Sommers of the Omaha Bar Association. www.omahabarassociation.com