JACOBS RECEIVES ELLICK AWARD FOR WORK WITH LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE

OBA member Mark Jacobs is the 2023 recipient of the Alfred G. Ellick Lawyer Referral Service Award, and will receive the Award and recognition at this year’s Law Day Lunch on May 2nd .

This award is named after Alfred G. Ellick, Jr., who in 1962, during his year as OBA President, formed the Omaha Lawyer Referral Service, and recruited lawyers to join its ranks. As it was recalled in 1996,

Back in the 1960’s, many people who needed a lawyer were ‘scared and confused as to how to even contact an attorney,’ said Ellick. Moreover, after a legal aid program sponsored by Creighton University’s law school had been discontinued, the indigent of Omaha needing legal assistance had few options. Responding to the situation, Ellick and other concerned OBA members started both the Lawyer Referral program and the Omaha Legal Aid Society in 1962.

Today, 61 years later, the Omaha Lawyer Referral Service continues, with over 130 attorneys serving many as members of the Service for over 10 years and thousands of requests handled per year. This Alfred G. Ellick Lawyer Referral Service Award is in recognition for any attorney who has served with the program for 10 years or more. The OBA greatly appreciates the public service aspect this provides the public – a competent attorney answering legal questions and advising whether or not they have a case to pursue. This year’s Ellick Award recipient embodies this service to the public in their dedication to the program.

In addition to being part of the OBA LRS for 10 years, Mark Jacobs also serves as chair of the Lawyer Referral Service Committee, and twice previously presented CLEs as part of the Lawyer Referral Service program. Mark is a partner at the law firm Bressman Hoffman & Jacobs, and is married to attorney Jami Jacobs of the Douglas County Public Defender’s Office.

Please join the Omaha Bar Association in congratulating Mark on his Award, and thanking him for his longstanding commitment to and service with the OBA Lawyer Referral Service!