Nebraska City, NE. (August 13, 2018) – After almost 60 years of providing legal services to Nebraska City and surrounding communities, Mattson Ricketts Law Firm attorney William F. Davis is retiring effective August 24.
Mr. Davis began his legal practice with the Wellensiek and Morrissey Law Firm in July 1960, when he and his wife, Betty, moved to Nebraska City from Omaha. The Davises went on to raise five accomplished children.
In 1970, Davis was elected Otoe County Attorney, and was appointed as the City Attorney of Nebraska City – a role in which he served for 43 years, alongside eight different mayors, eight city clerks, four city administrators and 43 city commissioners.
Throughout his career, Mr. Davis balanced his duties as a public servant with his private practice, opening his law firm in 1976 with Vantine James. In 2014, he associated with Mattson Ricketts Law Firm and began mentoring an associate in his longtime office at 804 Central Avenue.
“We have greatly enjoyed having Bill as a colleague these past four years,” said J.L. Spray, a Mattson Ricketts partner. “We are honored that he chose to share the end of his long and storied career with us.”
Through the years, Mr. Davis was also able to accumulate a remarkable list of volunteer efforts. He is a Past Exalted Ruler of the Nebraska City Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; a past President of the Nebraska City Rotary Club; past President of the Nebraska City Park Board, a former Chairman of the Nebraska City Planning Commission; and past Chairman and Assistant Treasurer of the Nebraska City Community Foundation. Through his interests in education and technology, Mr. Davis was director of the Greater Nebraska Science and Engineering Fair from 1980 to 1999, and was instrumental in bringing computers to the Morton James Public Library in Nebraska City.
“I’ve enjoyed contributing to and sharing in the vitality of Nebraska City. This is a great place to work, live, and raise a family,” Davis said. “I’ve been honored to work with so many fine individuals and families in and around Nebraska City.”
Among his involvement in the legal community, Mr. Davis is a past President of the Otoe County Bar Association, and has served as Chairman of the State Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Nebraska State Bar Association. He also served as the attorney for the Nebraska City Housing Authority. In 2000, he was selected to be a Fellow by the State Bar Association Foundation.
About Mattson Ricketts Law Firm Mattson Ricketts Law Firm’s roots in southeast Nebraska extend as far as the late 1800s. To continue its service to the Nebraska City community, specifically, the firm was proud to associate with Mr. Davis in 2014. After Mr. Davis’s retirement, Ryan K. McIntosh, Sally A. Rasmussen, and other Mattson Ricketts attorneys will continue to work from the firm’s office at 804 Central Avenue in Nebraska City.
Mattson Ricketts Law Firm is a general practice law firm providing experienced counsel for individuals and businesses in a wide variety of areas.
- 30 -
Note: Media inquiries may be directed to:
J.L. Spray, jls@mattsonricketts.com, 402.514.9423 (office) or 402.889.2674 (cell).