An Honor Accorded to Judge Ben Novicoff

          The Public Service Award recognizes a lawyer who has been, or is, in the employ of local, state, or federal government for outstanding service in the performance of duty.  Tonight we honor retired Workers Compensation Judge Ben Novicoff.

          Judge Novicoff’s career on the bench is a stellar one that spanned four decades.  On February 1, 1956, he was appointed by Governor Victor Anderson to fill an unexpired term on what was then called the Workmen’s Compensation Court.  Judge Novicoff was then reappointed to full terms on the Court by both Governor Anderson and Governor Frank Morrison.  Thereafter, Judge Novicoff was retained in office by election under the Merit Plan for six year terms from 1971 until 1995.  He retired on February 1, 1996, exactly 40 years from the date he was appointed.

          Ben Novicoff served as Presiding Judge of the Workers Compensation Court for 28 years, having been elected to the position by his fellow judges.  He further served the State of Nebraska by being a member of the Commission on Judicial Qualifications during two terms totaling 25 years.  He was a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the ABA’s sections on Judicial Administration and Insurance and Negligence and Compensation Law.  He was also a member of the American Judicature Society. 

          But, Judge Novicoff’s professional involvement was not confined to Nebraska.  He became Chairman of the Legislation Committee of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC).   In 1970, Judge Novicoff received the IAIABC Outstanding Administrators Award.  He went on to serve as a member of the organization’s Executive Committee for four years and ultimately became its President from 1972 to 1973.  Following his term as president, Judge Novicoff became the founder and Chairman of the Board of Regents of the IAIABC College of Worker’s Compensation.  He served as an instructor at this college from 1973 to 1984.  He received the IAIABC President’s Award in 1993.

          Judge Novicoff’s life of public service extended even further, having consulted with several national organizations on research and policy matters.  He was

·        a member of the Advisory Committee on Workmen’s Compensation Laws of the Council of State Governments.

·        Consultant to the Drafting Committee for an Interstate Compact for workmen’s compensation, and

·        A member of the Advisory Committee for Research on Permanent Impairment and Permanent Disability for the U.S. Government

          Back at home, he was appointed by the Governor and served as member of the Nebraska Workers Compensation Task Force from 1992 to 1994.

          He was again nationally recognized in 1996 when he received the Commissioner’s Award for Eminent Achievement from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

          Judge Novicoff became a Fellow of the Bar Foundation in 1997 and was appointed as a trustee of the Daniel J. Gross Fund Committee the same year.   He currently serves as chair of this committee, which aids active, practicing Nebraska lawyers and their families during a time of crisis and poverty.  Fellow committee member Charlie Gotch comments, “Judge Novicoff’s pro bono service as a Trustee has been exemplary.”

          Ben Novicoff was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and educated in the Lincoln Public Schools.  He attended the University of Nebraska where he majored in accounting.   While an undergraduate, he was the business manager of the Daily Nebraskan.  Ben joined the Army and served his country during World War II.  He returned to study at the University of Nebraska College of Law and was admitted to practice in 1948.  He was then in private practice in Lincoln until he was appointed to the bench.

          It has been my great pleasure to serve with Judge Novicoff on the Daniel J. Gross Fund Committee.  I find him to be as dedicated to his volunteer work as he was in his career.    He is held in highest esteem by his colleagues in the Bar and by his alma mater where the Reading Room at the University of Nebraska Harris Center for Judaic Studies is named for him.  Please join me in congratulating Judge Novicoff on his outstanding legal career as we honor him with the Foundation’s Public Service Award.