Nebraska Supreme Court Holds Oral Arguments at UNL College of Law

The Nebraska Supreme Court held their March 5, 2026, argument session at the University of Nebraska College of Law, giving students a firsthand look at the judicial process. The event marked the first law school argument session for newly appointed Justice Derek Vaughn.

During arguments, the Court heard four cases in the school’s courtroom. Law students from UNL were joined by undergraduate students from the University of Nebraska Kearney’s Law Opportunities Program. After the arguments, students participated in a question-and-answer session with the justices. Topics ranged from the importance of legal writing and research, to the oral argument process, to the value of experience in being a law clerk, as well as the responsibility a judge bears.

The Nebraska Supreme Court has been holding argument sessions at the law school since 1980, launching the tradition of providing students a chance to observe actual courtroom proceedings argued by professional attorneys in person at their college. Over the years, the program has become a key part of legal education in Nebraska. Bringing the state’s highest court to students helps bridge the gap between academic study and real-world legal practice.