NATA Committees

2025 2026 NATA COMMITTEES

NATA’s success depends on the volunteer leadership and engagement of our members.
We invite you to review our current committees and consider signing up to serve in some capacity.

View committees and share your interests here

NATA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
NATA Officers: President - Jennifer Turco Meyer;  President-elect- Elizabeth Govaerts;  Secretary -  Cameron Guenzel; Treasurer – Danny Leavitt;  NATA Immediate Past President, Mark Richardson; NATA Board Oversight Chair -  Peter Wegman; NATA PAC Chair – Mark Richardson; Immediate Past PAC Chair - Matt Lathrop.

AMICUS COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee serves as the AMICUS Committee.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee is designated a Standing Committee under Article VIII, Section 2 A of the NATA By-Laws. The Committee is responsible for all NATA financial matters, including the budget of each fiscal year and for making recommendations concerning financial matters to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Committee Chair:  Danny Leavitt, NATA Treasurer
Committee Members:  Jennifer Turco Meyer, President;  Elizabeth Govaerts, President-elect.  Cameron Guenzel – Secretary.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The NATA Executive Committee serves as NATA’s Compensation Committee.  The Committee shall meet prior to the Summer Meeting for report at that meeting.

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
NATA’s Continuing Legal Education Committee’s purpose is to plan and implement CLE activities on diverse topics that aid trial lawyers in their practice. The Committee Chair recruits 5 Program Chairs to plan and implement CLE events in September, October, December, February and April.  The program chairs for NATA seminars shall serve as members of the Continuing Legal Education Committee.
Committee Chairs: Danny Leavitt 2025-2026 serves as the Continuing Education Chair. 
Members:

September 2025 Seminar:  John F. Carroll, J.D., R.N., Watson & Carroll, PC, LLO

October 2025 Seminar:  Blake Maaske, Urbom Maaske Law

December 2025 Seminar: Emily Haggstrom, Atwood Law

February 2026 Seminar:  Adam Johnson, Johnson, Tabor & Johnson Law, LLC

April 2026 Seminar: Eric Chandler, Chandler | Conway, PC, LLO

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
The Legislative Committee is responsible for studying and monitoring legislation, which is, or may be introduced in the Nebraska Unicameral. The Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee concerning legislation and shall implement the legislative policy of the Association. The Committee meets prior to and regularly during the Unicameral sessions as necessary to effectuate the legislative agenda of the organization.
Committee Chair: Elizabeth Govaerts

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
The Membership Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board on membership retention, services, and expansion. The main goals of the Committee are to increase the number of regular members, Sustaining Members and members of the Circle of Advocates, and to study and make recommendations concerning membership services.  Committee Chair:  Ross Pesek

NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee for the purpose of making nominations to the Board of Directors to fill any vacancies on the Board of Directors, any Directorship to be filled by reason of any increase in the number of Directors, or a vacancy in any office which may occur during his or her term of office. The committee shall also meet at the annual summer board meeting for the purpose of nominating one person for each elective office to be filled by a vote of the membership at the annual meeting. The committee shall consist of two members from each congressional district and the Board Oversight Chair.  At least one member shall be the immediate past president who shall serve as chair, and at least three members shall not have served on the Nominating Committee appointed for the preceding year. The committee shall submit the names of the nominees for publication as part of the notice of the annual meeting.  Committee Members: to be named by the current President.

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Publications Committee is comprised of members willing to assist with generating and gathering appropriate material for inclusion in organization publications. The Committee is responsible for publication of the Prairie Barrister, and other publications of the Association. The principle goals of the Committee are to increase reporting of Verdicts and Settlements, and encourage NATA members and law students to submit articles for publication in the Prairie Barrister.  Committee Chair:  Ross Pesek

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The Public Relations Committee is responsible for monitoring, identifying, and responding to legislation and appellate court decisions that negatively impact injured Nebraskan’s legal rights and limit their access to the judicial system.
Committee Chair: Vacant

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Workers Compensation Committee is responsible for analysis of Nebraska Workers' Compensation law, practice and procedure. The Committee is to advise the NATA Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Legislative Committee on legislation, education and/ or other action or services needed from NATA regarding Nebraska Workers' Compensation. The Committee may also serve as a networking opportunity for those with a special interest in Workers Compensation and related areas of practice.  Current Committee Chair:    Jon Rehm, Lincoln