The Spencer Fane Omaha office was privileged to attend the Apartment Association of Nebraska’s (AAN) annual Stars of Excellence Awards on February 2 to present the first-ever Gene Eckel Advocate of the Year award. The AAN renamed this award as an homage to the late Spencer Fane attorney Gene Eckel.
This year’s sold-out awards event was a masquerade ball that included a cocktail hour, dinner, and awards program that celebrated the Nebraska apartment industry’s best. Spencer Fane attorneys Jamie Cotter, Josh Dickinson, Tara Holterhaus, and Elizabeth Lally were honored to attend alongside Gene’s widow Medea and sister Nancy. Tara and Medea paid tribute to Gene before announcing the Advocate of the Year winner.
The AAN is an organization that strives to support, inform, and connect the multifamily community through education, legislation, and professional networking. Prior to his passing in September 2023, Gene served on the AAN Board of Directors and earned their 2020 Volunteer of the Year Award.
Gene was a valued member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution team and a well-respected member of the wider legal community. He advocated for clients across the country to find successful resolutions to complex litigation matters with a specific focus on the multifamily real estate industry. Gene also drafted and helped pass state legislation in Nebraska involving the relationships between tenants and landlords. He was a proven advocate for property owners, taking a deep interest in understanding his clients’ day-to-day operations and unique business objectives. Even amid his long battle with cancer, Gene’s client-first approach and positive energy never diminished.
Spencer Fane is humbled to be a small part of Gene’s story. In addition to dedicating the Omaha office’s chief conference room in his memory last November, the firm will continue to find ways to celebrate his life and impact on the legal community.
