In the adversarial world of criminal defense, Joe Howard sees the value in relationships built on his promise of integrity, competency, and mutual respect. This approach has yielded Joe’s clients’ jury trial victories, dismissals, and significantly lower sentences. With more than 20 years of courtroom experience, Joe’s ability to build trusting relationships with judges and juries is a huge win for his clients.
When facing the uncertainty of a criminal prosecution, Joe provides his clients with the experience and level-headed guidance of having practiced in numerous state and federal courts. As a Past President of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, he remains on the cutting edge of legal trends and defenses.
Modern criminal defense is no longer just arguing – it is coming to court prepared to attack forensic evidence and expose inadequate police investigations with peer-reviewed scientific evidence. Competent trial advocacy means bringing the science behind the truth to the judge and the jury. Joe’s relationships with some of the finest experts in the scientific world level the playing field for his clients, bringing loved ones home sooner.
Education
- Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (J.D., 2000) (Honors: Pro Bono Honor Society)
- Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (B.A.) (Major: Political Science and German)
Bar Admissions
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2000
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2013
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 2003
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, 2023
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, 2023
- Wisconsin, 2000
- Ohio, 2001
- Nebraska, 2003
- Iowa, 2023
Classes/ Seminars
- Speaker, Nebraska State Bar Association, Young Lawyers 2014 Best Practices Seminar, Criminal Law Lecture, “License, Registration, and All of your Money Please.” March 28, 2014
- Speaker, United States Federal Public Defender’s Sponsored 2013 Panel Palooza, “Proper Use of Expert Witnesses: What is Permissible in Light of Daubert, Crawford, and Melendez-Diaz.” September 2013
- Speaker, Criminal Defense Fundamentals Seminar, State Bar of Nebraska, 2000
- Marijuana Criminal Defense, Iowa and Nebraska Solo and Small Firm Seminar - Nebraska Bar Association, 2012
- Speaker, Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association sponsored “Bootcamp,” 2015
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, Past President
- Nebraska Bar Association, Lifetime Fellow
- American Bar Association, Member
- Omaha Bar Association, Past Secretary
- Federal Practice Committee, U.S. Dist. Court of Nebraska
- Nebraska State Bar Media Committee
- National Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 2012 - Present
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer
- Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyer
Honors & Awards
- Top 40 Under 40 by National Trial Lawyers Association, 2012 - 2013
- Jury Acquittal Award Federal Public Defender's Offices, 2008 - 2009
- CALI Award for Trial Advocacy, 2000 - Present
