Bio
After graduating second in his University of Nebraska law school class, Vince Dowding moved to Grand Island to begin practicing law. He was only one year out of law school when he built the case that stopped the involuntary sterilization of people with mental handicaps in Nebraska. He got the case accepted to be heard by the United States Supreme Court prompting the Legislature to change the law. Vince Dowding also had the opportunity to argue a case before the United States Supreme Court on the constitutionality of requiring indigent inmates to pay a fee to appeal a case. He has always fought for justice for his clients and he founded this firm on the same principles.
Vince founded this law firm in Grand Island in April of 1990. His youngest son, Steve, joined him in 1991. His oldest son, Joe, joined the firm in 1993 and opened the Lincoln office. Vince has experience in a vast array of practice areas with extensive experience in the fields of personal injury, workers compensation, family law, and estate/probate work. His years of experience and diverse legal background result in effective mediation for all types of legal disputes.
Education
- Nebraska Wesleyan University
- University of Nebraska College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1965
- Order of the Coif
- High distinction (2nd overall)
- Student Articles Editor, Nebraska Law Review
- Winner of Allen Moot Court Appellate Competition
- Member of UNL Law Moot Court Team, 2nd in National Competition
Legal and Community Service
- House of Delegates, Nebraska Bar Association
- Chairman, Nebraska Lawyers Assistance Program
- Representative for Fifth Supreme Court Judicial District, Nebraska Continuing Legal Education Commission
- President and Board Member, Fonner Park
- President and Founding Director, Heartland Event Center
- Chairman of District Ethics Committee
- Chairman and Member, Nebraska Racing Commission
- Fundraising Chairman, YMCA – YWCA
- Founding President, Mid Plains Community Mental Health Center
- Co-Chairman for successful building bond campaign for Walnut Jr. High School
- Board of Directors, Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation
Honors and Awards
- Argued case in U.S. Supreme Court
- President’s Professionalism Award, Nebraska Bar Association
- Distinguished Service Award, Jaycees