Larry Ruth was born in 1945, and raised near Rising City, Nebraska. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and was graduated with distinction in 1967. While enrolled at Wesleyan he was elected to various honoraries, and attended American University in Washington D.C. on an honors program dealing with governmental affairs. In 1970, he received his Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University National Law Center.

While attending Nebraska Wesleyan, he worked as a page at the Nebraska Legislature; while attending American University in Washington, he was on the staff of U.S. Senator Roman L. Hruska; and while attending George Washington University, he was on the staff of U.S. Representative Robert V. Denney.

Larry was admitted to practice law in the state of Nebraska in 1970, and he then entered the U.S. Navy.  He served in the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps until 1974, during which time he was admitted to practice law in the State of Louisiana.  Following his time in the Navy, Larry returned to Lincoln to practice law.   Larry is a member of the Lincoln and Nebraska State Bar Associations.  He is currently “of counsel” to Ruth Mueller Robak LLC.  Larry has received the highest professional rating available to attorneys, “AV”, by Martindale-Hubbell.

Larry's civic activities and recognitions include: Chair of the Board of Governors, and recipient of Medal of Honor/Distinguished Alumnus Award of Nebraska Wesleyan University; former member of the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, and former member of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Nominating Commission (makes recommendations to the Governor in the judicial selection process); leadership and legal counseling in numerous political campaigns, including gubernatorial, congressional, legislative, and ballot question, and serving twice as one of Nebraska’s five electors on the Electoral College.  He currently serves as an officer on the Board of Directors of Helping Hands Handcrafts, Inc. (dba Ten Thousand Villages Lincoln) and on the NEBRASKAland Foundation, Inc.  Larry is one of Nebraska's Commissioners on the Uniform Laws Commission and has served on other state commissions.  He is also an Adjunct Professor in political science at Nebraska Wesleyan University where he teaches on the subjects of political parties and interest groups, and state and local government.  His special interests include uniform state laws, legislative law, and international friendships.

Larry and his wife, Pat, have two sons and one daughter.

You may contact Larry Ruth at ruth@ruthmueller.com.

William J. Mueller was born in Omaha and was raised in Ogallala, Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1977 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1980. He was admitted to the Bar of Nebraska in 1980 and has been a professional lobbyist since 1984.

William J. Mueller began his legal career as a litigator with an Omaha, Nebraska law firm. In 1984, he joined a major Lincoln law firm and began lobbying. He co-founded the firm in 1995. Mr. Mueller has received the highest professional rating available to attorneys, “AV”, by Martindale-Hubbel. Mr. Mueller has been chosen by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Government Relations Law and was selected a Great Plains Super Lawyer. He is listed in Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who in American Politics.

While in college Mr. Mueller was elected President of the student body of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was a Regent of the University of Nebraska. He was elected to membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honorary, and Gamma Gamma honorary. While attending college he served as an intern on the staff of a U.S. Representative in Washington, D.C. and Lincoln, Nebraska. In law school, Mr. Mueller was named a member of the National Moot Court Team and was selected as a Fellow of the Order of Barristers.

Mr. Mueller has served as a member of the Executive Council and as Chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the Nebraska State Bar Association. Since 1984, he has served as Legislative Counsel to the Nebraska State Bar Association. He was elected a Fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Lincoln Bar Association and served as a member of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation Board of Directors. Mr. Mueller is licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of Nebraska, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.

Mr. Mueller has served as president of the Lincoln Updowntowners, and was selected as a Leadership Lincoln Fellow. He previously served as Chair of the Lancaster County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and as a member of the United Way Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees of First Plymouth Congregational Church, the Board of Directors of the Lincoln/Greater Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Mr. Mueller is a member of the American League of Lobbyists, the Nebraska State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Lincoln Bar Association, the University of Nebraska Touchdown Club, is a Trustee of the University of Nebraska Foundation, and serves on the Board of Directors and is an officer of the Country Club of Lincoln. He is married to fellow Ruth Mueller Robak partner, Kim M. Robak, and the couple have two daughters, Katherine and Claire, who attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and Pomona College in Claremont, California.

You may contact Bill Mueller at mueller@ruthmueller.com.

Kim M. Robak served as Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nebraska from October 1993 to January of 1999. Prior to serving as Lieutenant Governor, Ms. Robak was Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel to then-Governor and now United States Senator E. Benjamin Nelson. Before her career in government, Ms. Robak was a partner with the Rembolt Ludtke Parker and Berger law firm, and was a teacher at Irving Junior High School in Lincoln, Nebraska.

From 1999 through 2004, Ms. Robak served as Vice President for External Affairs and Corporation Secretary for the University of Nebraska where she was responsible for public relations, government relations, and marketing for the University of Nebraska system. She joined Ruth Mueller Robak in December of 2004.

During her service as Lieutenant Governor, Ms. Robak was recognized with several honors. In September of 1995, she was selected as one of 35 emerging leaders to participate in the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program. The program is designed to stimulate the exchange of information and ideas between leaders in state government. She was elected by her peers to serve as Chair of the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors from 1996-1997. The organization supports those who are in line to succeed the chief executive of a state. Ms. Robak was selected as a notable alum of the UNL Teachers College and a Distinguished Alum of the University of Nebraska. The College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska awarded her a Doctor of Humane Letters degree on May 16, 1998.

Ms. Robak serves on the corporate boards of Fiserv, Inc., (NASDAQ: FISV); the UNIFI Companies; First Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation of New York; and Union Bank & Trust Co. She previously served on the corporate board of FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:FFG). She is also active in many civic and philanthropic organizations. She currently serves on the boards of the Cooper Foundation, Doane College, Nebraska Foundation for the Humanities, TeamMates Mentoring Program, and the College of Law Alumni Council. She chaired the 2003 United Way Fund Drive and was the 2005 chair of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. She previously served on the Boards of First Plymouth Congregational Church (moderator 2002-2007), Lincoln Community Foundation, The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, Strategic Air and Space Museum, The Nebraska Medical Center, United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County, and the Executive Women’s Golf Association (founding member and President).

Ms. Robak received her J.D. degree from the University of Nebraska where she graduated Order of the Coif and with highest distinction. Ms. Robak received her B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with distinction. She was on the National Moot Court and Trial Advocacy teams and served on the Nebraska Law Review as Symposium Editor. Ms. Robak has been selected by her peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Government Relations Law.

Ms. Robak is a Columbus, Nebraska native. She and her husband, fellow Ruth Mueller Robak partner William J. Mueller, have two daughters, Katherine and Claire.

You may contact Kim Robak at robak@ruthmueller.com.

Mary A. Johnson, a native of Oakland, Nebraska, has served as a lobbyist for Ruth Mueller Robak LLC since the firm’s beginning. Her responsibilities include representation of the firm's legislative clients and specializing in grassroots organization and implementation. In addition, Mary provides political consulting services to candidates and ballot question committees through the firm's consulting company, Capitol Communications Company.

Mary served as the Senior Administrative Assistant to the then-Lincoln Mayor, now United States Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns from 1991 through August, 1995. Her responsibilities in this administrative position at the City of Lincoln focused on the managing of internal affairs, and acting as liaison between directors and departments, the City Council and State Legislature. She also directed the legislative program for the City of Lincoln as a registered lobbyist.

Mary graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a major in political science in 1976. Following a brief stint teaching in high school, Mary became an original staff member for U.S. Representative Doug Bereuter in 1979. She worked with the Congressman during the next 12 years, including managing his successful re-elections in 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1990.

In July 2006, Mary became a faculty member for The Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. The Women’s Campaign School at Yale University is a non-partisan, non-issues based political training program for women candidates and campaign staff. In 2008, Mary was elected to the National Board of Directors for the Women’s Campaign School at Yale. (www.wcsyale.org)

Mary's civic and community activities include: former National Vice President for Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, former member of the Board of Directors of Friendship Home, and former member of the Board of Directors for the Food Bank of Lincoln. During her time on the Board, Mary co-chaired the Food Bank’s Capital Campaign. She was reappointed by Governor Ben Nelson to serve a second term on the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. In 2000, Mary served as an elector for the 2000 Electoral College. She is a speaker for Leadership Lincoln, the University of Nebraska LEAD program, several professional organizations and political training schools.

Mary's special interests include politics and public relations. She and her husband, Larry Worth, especially enjoy traveling and outdoor activities.

You may contact Mary Johnson at johnson@ruthmueller.com.

Katie Weichman Zulkoski, an Ainsworth, Nebraska native, graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with high distinction with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in May 2005. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska, summa cum laude, graduating first in her class in May 2008. Ms. Zulkoski graduated with a Certificate of Concentration in the area of Business Law.

While in law school, Ms. Zulkoski received the G. Robert Muchemore Scholarship, Dean’s Merit Scholarship and the Superior Scholastic Achievement Award. Her activities included Moot Court Board, American Bar Association-Student Division and Women’s Law Student Association. Ms. Zulkoski also volunteered as a tutor for the Literacy Center of the Midlands.

During her undergraduate experience at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, Ms. Zulkoski was elected President of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln student body and served as a Student Regent of the University of Nebraska. She also served as an officer in Kappa Kappa Gamma National Fraternity and was selected for membership in the Innocents Society, the Chancellor’s Senior Honorary. Ms. Zulkoski received honors including University of Nebraska Regents Top Scholar Award, and the Peter Kiewit Distinguished Scholar Award. Ms. Zulkoski was a member of the University of Nebraska Honors Program, and the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honorary.

Ms. Zulkoski is a member of Leadership Nebraska Class III, the Nebraska State Bar Association, and the Lincoln Bar Association. Ms. Zulkoski serves on the Nebraska CASA Board of Directors and is a volunteer for Nebraska Human Resource Institute and Lincoln Public Schools.

Katie Weichman Zulkoski joined Ruth Mueller Robak LLC in 2008. Ms. Zulkoski is admitted to practice law in the state courts of Nebraska and the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.

You may contact Katie Zulkoski at zulkoski@ruthmueller.com.

Marcie Stohlman has been with Ruth Mueller Robak LLC since 1993. Marcie is Executive Assistant to the firm’s lobbyists and her responsibilities include all of the accounting functions, preparation of NADC reports, assisting Mary Johnson in her function as political consultant, as well as other administrative duties.

Marcie’s previous work experience includes employment by an Omaha law firm and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Marcie and her husband, Cliff, have two children and one grandchild.

You may contact Marcie Stohlman at marcie@ruthmueller.com.

Nancy Osmera has been with Ruth Mueller Robak LLC since 2004. Nancy is Executive Assistant to the firm's lobbyists and her responsibilities include updating legislative information and tracking bills of interest for Ruth Mueller Robak clients. She also maintains the office filing system, databases, computer files, as well as other administrative duties.

Nancy’s previous work experience includes employment by the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office and the University of Nebraska.

Nancy and her husband, John, have two daughters, Calleigh and Cassie.

You may contact Nancy Osmera at nancy@ruthmueller.com.