The Douglas County Self-Help Center was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Judge Frankie Moore Self-Represented Litigant Access and Innovation Award. The award was presented by Justice Stephanie Stacy, Co-Chair of the Access to Justice Commission during the October 8, 2026, Access to Justice Summit.

The Judge Frankie Moore Self-Represented Litigant Access and Innovation Award was established by the Access to Justice Commission in early 2026. Named in honor of retired Court of Appeals Judge Frankie Moore, the award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional innovation in improving access to justice for self-represented litigants. It honors creative, practical, and impactful approaches that reduce barriers, enhance understanding of court processes, and make the justice system more navigable and equitable for those without legal representation.

The Douglas County Self-Help Center is a collaborative effort between the Administrative Office of Courts and Probation, the Self-Represented Litigation Committee, the Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA), the Volunteer Lawyers Project, local trial judges and court staff, and local attorneys. Located in the Douglas County Courthouse, the self-help center is staffed by trained court personnel who assist Self-Represented Litigants by explaining court rules and procedures, provide public access to the electronic case management systems, and connect individuals with available court forms and related resources. The Self-Help Center also regularly hosts attorneys from the Volunteer Lawyers Project and staff from the mediation centers who are available to assist court users.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Douglas County Self-Help Center were several individuals whose exceptional contributions were fundamental to its implementation:  Presiding County Court Judge Marcie Keim, County Court Judge Stephanie Hansen, Douglas County Judicial Administrator Pam Cardenas, and Shannon Seim, Director of the Volunteer Layers Project for the NSBA.

The Douglas County Self-Help Center is recognized for their leadership in demonstrating what meaningful access to justice looks like in practice and providing a scalable model that can be replicated in other local courts across Nebraska.

Photo (L to R): Douglas County Court Judge Stephanie Hansen, Douglas County Judicial Administrator Pam Cardenas, Douglas County Court Presiding Judge Marcie Keim, Director of the Volunteer Layers Project for the NSBA Shannon Seim, Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Stephanie Stacy