Welcome To the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy
| Office 140 North 8th Street Suite 270 Lincoln, NE 68508 Telephone: (402) 471-7774 Fax: (402) 471-8087 |
Chief Counsel Todd W. Lancaster Telephone: (402) 471-8026 E-mail: tlancaster@ncpa.ne.gov |
Statutory Reference: Neb. Rev. Stat. sect. 29-3923
BACKGROUND
The Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy ("Commission") was created in 1995 to provide property tax relief to counties that are required to provide legal representation to indigent defendants charged with first degree murder and serious violent or drug related felonies. The Commission also provides legal assistance to public defenders and court-appointed attorneys. The Commission provides property tax relief because counties pay nothing for such legal services and associated costs.
The Commission consists of nine members appointed by the governor from a list of attorneys
submitted by the executive council of the Nebraska State Bar Association after consultation with
the board of directors of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association. A member is
appointed from each of the six state Supreme Court districts, and three members are appointed at
large. Members must have substantial experience in criminal defense work and civil legal
matters. They may not be prosecutors, law enforcement officials, or judges during their terms in
office. Members serve six-year terms. The governor designates the chairperson of the
Commission. Members are reimbursed for expenses.
The Commission appoints a chief counsel to supervise the divisions of the Commission. These divisions are: the capital litigation division; the violent crime and drug defense division; the appellate division; the DNA testing division; and the major case resource center, which helps public defenders, contracting attorneys or court-appointed attorneys with the defense of felony offenses. The chief counsel also administers the Legal Aid and Services Fund and the Civil Legal Services Fund.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the agency is to assist Nebraska counties in providing indigent criminal defense services, which are mandated by the state and federal constitutions and state laws. This agency also represents qualifying indigent prisoners under the DNA Testing Act and administers the Legal Aid and Services Fund and the Civil Legal Services Fund, which assist indigent citizens who are in need of civil legal services and cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Legal Education for Public Service and Rural Practice Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Legal Aid and Service Fund Grant Application
Legal Aid and Service Fund Grant Guidelines
pdf\2024 LRAP APP Packet.docx
We are unable to give legal advice or information concerning individual cases unless we have been appointed by a court to represent the individual.
| Member | Represents | Term Expires | |
| Julie E. Bear, Chair 545 Main St. Plattsmouth, NE 68048 (402) 296-6996 Fax: (402) 296-2989 E-mail: jeb@rsbmlaw.com |
Fifth District | (6-year term) [2nd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2025] |
|
| Linsey A. Camplin P. 0. Box 82426 Lincoln, NE 68501-2426 (402) 476-2200 Fax: (402) 476-2301 E-mail: linsey@mchenrylaw.com |
First District | (6-year term) [2nd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2029] |
|
| Michael Ziskey 602 Central Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 (402) 873-3715 Fax: (402) 873-3710 E-mail: ziskeym@yahoo.com |
Second District | (6-year term) [2nd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2025] |
|
| Douglas J. Stratton 200 W. Benjamin Ave. P. O. Box 888 Norfolk, NE 68702-0888 (402) 371-3100 Fax: (402) 379-4338 E-mail: dstratton@norfolknelaw.com |
Third District | (6-year term) [4th Appointment, Expires 11-3-2027] |
|
| Thomas P. Strigenz 1256 Golden Gate Dr., Suite 2 Papillion, NE 68046 (402) 593-5933 Fax: (402) 593-5939 E-mail: tstrigenz@sarpy.com |
Fourth District | (6-year term) [3rd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2027] |
|
| Nancy S. Freburg P. O. Box 295 Kearney, NE 68848 (308) 234-5779 Fax: (308) 237-7784 E-mail: freburglaw@frontier.com |
Sixth District | (6-year term) [5th Appointment, Expires 11-3-2029] |
|
| Patrick Carney 109 So. 5th St Norfolk, NE 68701 (402) 379-5600 Email: pat@carneylawpc.com |
At Large | (6-year term) [1st Appointment, Expires 11-3-2027] |
|
| Jonathan M. Braaten 1601 Old Cheney Road Lincoln, NE 68512 (402) 477-8800 Fax: (402) 477-8868 E-mail: jbraaten@acwlaw.com |
At Large | (6-year term) [2nd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2025] |
|
| Charles D. Brewster 3423 2nd Ave., Suite 7 P. O. Box 521 Kearney, NE 68848 (308) 237-5545 Fax: (308) 646-2676 E-mail: charles@kleinbrewster.com |
At Large | (6-year term) [2nd Appointment, Expires 11-3-2029] |
|
Staff:
- Todd W. Lancaster, Chief Counsel, telephone (402) 471-8026, tlancaster@ncpa.ne.gov
- Timothy S. Noerrlinger, Agency Counsel, telephone (402) 471-7778, tnoerrlinger@ncpa.ne.gov
- Helen O. Winston, Attorney, telephone (402) 471-8085, hwinston@ncpa.ne.gov
- Robert W. Kortus, Attorney, telephone (402) 471-8086, rkortus@ncpa.ne.gov
- Matthew J. McDonald, Attorney, telephone (402) 471-8081, mmcdonald@ncpa.ne.gov
- Brian D. Craig, Attorney, telephone (402) 471-8084, bcraig@ncpa.ne.gov
- Kendra Werth, Admin Asst/Fiscal Officer, telephone (402) 471-8088, kwerth@ncpa.ne.gov
- Shara Aden, Paralegal, telephone (402) 471-7776, saden@ncpa.ne.gov
