Joseph L. Howard is proud to be a partner in Dornan Law Team. He strives to provide his clients with the strongest representation based in law and ethics. As a young attorney he sought to represent those whose voices were not being heard. Years later his focus has not wavered. He is honored as one of the 'Top 100 Trial Lawyers' by The National Trial Lawyers, is currently serving as the Treasurer to the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and is a member of the National Bar Association.
Bar Admissions
Wisconsin, 2000
Nebraska, 2003
Ohio, 2001
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2000
U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 2003
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2013
Education
Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
J.D., 2000
Honors: Pro Bono Honor Society
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
B.A.
Major: Political Science
Major: German
Representative Cases
United States v. Adriana Garcia Silva, 08:09CR9
(United States District Court, District of Nebraska)
State of Nebraska v. Jonathon Moore, No S-06-1001
(Supreme Court of Nebraska)
State of Nebraska v. Kara Vasquez, No. S-05-1019
(State of Nebraska v. Kara Vasquez)
Jerry J. Webb v. American Employers Group, No. S-03-954
(Supreme Court of Nebraska)
State of Nebraska v. Gary D. Sullivan, Doc. 162 No. 715
(District Court of Douglas County)
U.S. v. $45,000 in United States Currency, No. 13-1073
(United States Court of Appeals For the Eighth Circuit)
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
Speaker, Adding Criminal Defense as a Practice Area, Nebraska Continuing Legal Education of the Nebraska State Bar, 2010
Marijuana Criminal Defense, Iowa and Nebraska Solo and Small Firm Seminar - Nebraska Bar Association, 2012
Speaker, Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association sponsored 'Bootcamp,' 2015
Honors and 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
Professional Associations and Memberships
Top 40 Under 40 - National Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 2012 - 2013
American Bar Association, Member
Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (Board Member 2014-2016)
Top 100 Trial Lawyer, by The National Trial Lawyers, 2013-2015
National Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (Board Member 2014-2016,; Treasurer 2016)
Past Employment Positions
Schaefer Shapiro Omaha, Nebraska, Associate and Partner, 2004 - 2013
Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Chicago, Illinois, Associate Attorney, 2002 - 2004
Legal Aid Society Cleveland, Ohio, Associate Attorney, Public Defender for the City of Cleveland, 2001 - 2002
Legal Aid Society Cleveland, Ohio, Elder Law Division's Predatory Lending Special Projects Coordinator, 2000 - 2001
