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Lifetime Achievement Award 2024

Vince Powers

The Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys is honored to grant Vince Powers of Lincoln its Lifetime Achievement Award. This achievement recognizes decades of extraordinary service as an attorney and an association member. Numerous colleagues and mentees shared their appreciation for Powers’ determination to advocate for his clients and his efforts to mold young attorneys. Among other roles, as a former president, political action committee chair, and columnist for the Prairie Barrister, Powers has had a substantial impact on every aspect of the association.

Powers opened his law office in Lincoln after graduating from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1979. He has tried over 100 jury cases and numerous bench trials in his career. Among the most prominent was Thomas v. Keadle (2016) where the second-largest verdict in the United States ($2.64 billion) was awarded to his client. Powers also has lent his experience to others by leading legal education seminars for the American Association of Justice, the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys, and the Nebraska State Bar Association. Many trial attorneys have pointed to his column Practice Pointers in the Prairie Barrister as essential reading to pursue justice for their clients.

At the national level, Powers has contributed as a member of the Board of Governors of the American Association of Justice and Chair of its Employment Rights Section. He is a member of bar for the Nebraska State Bar Association, the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Thirteen co-nominators (Pete Wegman, Eric Chandler, Mandy Larson, Rich Hitz, Maren Chaloupka, Todd Bennett, Elizabeth Govaerts, Jim Harris, Ross Pesek, Terry Salerno, Danny Leavitt, Mike Coyle, and Kathleen Neary) submitted supporting documentation to the selection committee. Each nominator expressed their admiration and respect.

Pete Wegman underscored Powers’ contributions to the association, writing, “NATA would not be where it is today without the tireless efforts of Vince over the years.” Wegman pointed to Powers’ advancement of understanding the value of the association’s political work, especially within the state legislature. Maren Chaloupka described the mentorship he provided, “… he has energized and inspired young lawyers to try cases- to fight for their clients.” She also pointed out Powers has fought for young female attorneys and “demonstrated that it need not be threatening to work with smart, creative, influential women who have shown their talent and power…” There is no doubt Nebraska trial attorneys, the association, and the legal field are better off because of Vince Powers.

As said by Ross Pesek, “Vince Powers embodies the spirit of the NATA Lifetime Achievement Award.” There is no one more qualified in leadership, mentorship, and advocacy than Powers. The Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys congratulations and thanks him for his service to the legal practice

The event will be held on Friday, December 6th, from 4:30-6:30 pm, at Glacial Till Cider House & Tasting Room in Ashland. We are offering free attendance and free memberships to Law Students and First Year Lawyers from all Nebraska law schools. Please encourage participation from your younger firm members.

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