Nebraska Lawyers

Civil Litigation

3555 Farnam Street, Suite 1000, Omaha, NE 68131

Anne Marie O’Brien is an Omaha attorney affiliated with Smith Pauley whose practice includes civil litigation, mediation and arbitration. Her litigation background includes acting as lead trial counsel in state and federal courts in a national practice representing plaintiffs and Fortune 500 companies. She has handled transportation, construction and contract litigation, as well as employment, sexual abuse and harassment matters. Her experience also encompasses business and corporate disputes, insurance, product liability, asbestos and toxic tort litigation, and complex civil disputes involving multiple states. O’Brien’s dispute-resolution work includes training as both a mediator and an arbitrator. Her firm profile identifies her as a FINRA arbitrator and describes service on the board of the Werner Institute for Alternative Dispute Resolution at Creighton University Law School. It also describes her teaching commitment at a national trial college: 40 hours of instruction every two years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University and a J.D. from Creighton University School of Law. Her listed bar admissions are Nebraska and Missouri. A past president of the Omaha Bar Association, she also contributed Nebraska material to the annual Product Liability Desk Reference, A Fifty State Compendium, with her profile listing editions from 2014 through 2022. In an article published by Smith Pauley, she discussed corporate personal jurisdiction and the implications of Mallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Company.

Civil Litigation

2425 S 144th St, Omaha, NE 68144, USA

Brian E. Jorde is Domina Law Group’s managing lawyer in Omaha, Nebraska, where his practice includes trial work. Before joining the firm, he spent several years working in commercial real estate. In Little Rock, Arkansas, he took part in negotiations to sell the property now occupied by the Clinton Presidential Library. His other projects included property acquisitions associated with the Ambassador Bridge and the cleanup of an orphan oil well in Michigan. Land disputes also figure in his legal work. Jorde represented landowners resisting eminent domain for private gain in connection with the proposed TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline. His courtroom experience extends to contract claims, construction defects and constitutional challenges, with cases tried before judges and juries in both state and federal courts. In a separate matter, Jorde represented Alicia Rea’s family in a case involving the City of Omaha and the State of Nebraska. He negotiated payments of $20,000 from the state and $280,000 from the city. The settlement also included the city’s agreement to employee training, retrofitting regulations and procedures intended to prevent similar accidents. Raised in Wayne and Omaha, Jorde studied philosophy at Vanderbilt University, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He went on to study law at Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. His firm biography also lists trial experience in estate and trust administration disputes, as well as challenges to wills and trusts involving mental capacity, undue influence, duress and fraud.

Criminal Defense Law

245 S 84th St suite 119, Lincoln, NE 68510, USA

Burke is a native of Palmyra, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology. After graduating from UNL, Burke went on to attend the University of Nebraska College of Law. He was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award® and the Pat Gies Memorial Award for his work representing clients at the University of Nebraska College of Law Immigration Clinic. He also completed a program of concentrated study in immigration and civil litigation skills. Burke’s passion for his community and family led him to open his own firm to better serve the people around him. He takes an active role in the community by serving non-profits and volunteering his time. He loves working with young people and mentoring and coaching the next generation of Nebraskans. Outside of the office, Burke enjoys attending different sporting events and cheering on his Huskers, Texans, and Royals. He loves traveling, seeing the world, and making memories with his family.

Criminal Defense Law

129 N. 5th St, Seward, NE 68434

Chad J. Wythers earned his law degree from the University of Nebraska, College of Law in 2001 and his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska in 1996. The primary practice areas include criminal defense, family law, personal injury, and general civil law. In addition, he also accepts cases involving medical malpractice, medical negligence, and general personal injury litigation. Chad is able to take cases in state and federal criminal cases. He has hands-on experience tackling felonies, misdemeanors, sex crimes, white collar crimes, crimes, computer, crimes, and more. He has a proven track record securing favorable results in some of the most serious of crimes. Chad is also one of the few attorneys who are certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police for DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Only attorneys with in-depth knowledge and deep understanding of field sobriety tests are given certification. Chad has tried cases in multiple states and is a member of the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, and the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

General Practice Law

2425 Taylor Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701, USA

David E. Copple's litigation practice is regional in scope. He has litigated cases in or represented clients from Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Mr. Copple's comprehensive practice emphasizes sophisticated litigation for plaintiff and defendant in cases involving personal injury, products liability, corporate-commercial, banking, creditor bankruptcy, securities, wrongful death, and real estate investment trusts. Mr. Copple has successfully tried felony criminal cases, a felony manslaughter case and a first degree murder case. Mr. Copple's appellate work has included cases of first impression, including: that a "farmer" is a "merchant" for purposes of the Nebraska Uniform Commercial Code; that a "bank employee" is not a "professional" for purposes of professional malpractice statute of limitations; that a named driver exclusion will not be applied in a manner that will deny an insured party uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage when the subject of the exclusion was not responsible for the injury and is not seeking coverage; that a secured creditor can qualify as a good faith purchaser for value and receive priority under Nebraska Uniform Commercial Code, Article IX over an unpaid seller; and that state common law theories of negligence and strict liability are preempted by The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act involving a "non-applicator" injured by toxic chemical exposure.

Health Care Law

8135 S. 15th Street, Suite C, Lincoln, NE 68512

University Attended:Colorado State University, B.A., 1984 Law School Attended:University of Nebraska, J.D., 1987 Year of First Admission:1987 Admission:1987, Nebraska; 1998, Colorado

General Practice Law

2425 Taylor Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701, USA

David E Copple‘s litigation practice at Copple, Rockey, Schlecht, & Mason is regional in scope. Mr Copple has litigated cases in or represented clients from Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Mr. Copple’s comprehensive practice emphasizes sophisticated litigation for plaintiff and defendant in cases involving personal injury, products liability, corporate-commercial, banking, creditor bankruptcy, securities, wrongful death, and real estate investment trusts. David E Copple has successfully tried felony criminal cases, a felony manslaughter case and a first degree murder case. David E Copple’s appellate work has included cases of first impression, addressing significant legal interpretations. Notable cases include determining that a “farmer” qualifies as a “merchant” under the Nebraska Uniform Commercial Code and that a “bank employee” does not fall under the “professional” category for the purposes of the professional malpractice statute of limitations. He has also successfully argued that a named driver exclusion cannot be applied to deny an insured party uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage when the excluded driver was not responsible for the injury and is not seeking coverage. Additionally, his work has established that a secured creditor can qualify as a good faith purchaser for value and receive priority under Nebraska Uniform Commercial Code, Article IX, over an unpaid seller. He has also played a key role in affirming that state common law theories of negligence and strict liability are preempted by The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act in cases involving “non-applicators” injured by toxic chemical exposure.

Personal Injury Law

1018 Dodge St suite 5, Omaha, NE 68102, USA

Eric Chandler is an experienced accident injury attorney whose experience of representing both plaintiffs and defendants gives him unique insight into how each of his client’s cases should be handled. Eric is a member of the Nebraska Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys. He has also been recognized as a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, as well as a recipient of The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys Top 10 Attorney Award. Eric was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended Burke High School before heading to the University of Kansas for undergraduate school. Following graduation, Eric moved back home to Nebraska where he received his law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Eric’s first job following law school was as a criminal prosecutor with the Douglas County Attorney’s Office. In 2007, he opened what is now Chandler Conway, PC, LLO.

Criminal Defense Law

13321 California St suite 300, Elkhorn, NE 68022, USA

Eric Hagen became an attorney to continue his service to others. Before attending law school, he was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He is a graduate of Creighton University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor and Master’s in Negotiation & Conflict Resolution. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society, an editor for Creighton Law Review, president of the Military Law Society, and earned awards for scholarship and leadership. Eric also represents the Pat Tillman Foundation as Nebraska’s inaugural Tillman scholar, chosen along with other veterans and their families across the nation for dedication to service beyond self. Eric is a zealous advocate who demonstrates unrelenting effort and focus while fighting to achieve his clients’ best interests with compassion and integrity. As a volunteer with the Veterans Legal Support Network, Eric advocates to protect the military benefits of our nations’ servicemen and women. He stands behind the oath he took as a Marine to defend the Constitution in his work as a Criminal defense attorney, personal injury advocate, and litigator. Eric has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyer’s Top 40 Under 40 for criminal defense in Nebraska and is the recipient of the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion award. Eric lives in Elkhorn with his wife and four children. In his free time, Eric coaches rugby and football, serves on the board of the Nebraska Youth Rugby Association, and volunteers with his church and other community non-profit organizations.

Personal Injury Law

6919 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68132, USA

Frank Younes is a Nebraska native who earned his Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law. Prior to that he obtained a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. The combination of these types of education has provided him with a sharpened focus on applying his legal education to the business world. While attending law school he gained additional legal experience working as a law clerk in the District Court, where he assisted the District Court Judges in determining the outcomes of various types of cases. Attorney Frank Younes frequently represents individuals and business in various kinds of legal matters, including: personal injury, wrongful death, business and contract formation and litigation, family law, divorces, and real estate litigation. He provides insightful consultations and recommendations to his clients prior to litigation and through out the litigation process. Frank has conducted countless trials in the District and County Courts across the State of Nebraska with great success. He attributes his success to his hard work ethic, strong ethical standing, care for his clients, ability to develop and prepare a case for trial, and skill in presenting evidence to the Court.

Criminal Defense Law

245 S 84th St ste l100, Lincoln, NE 68510, USA

James N. Scarff, II, is a transplant from Jackson, Mississippi, where he was born and raised. After high school he initially played football at the University of Mississippi until an injury ended his football career. He then transferred to Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi where he would receive his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in May 2003. Shortly thereafter, James received his Master of Business Administration degree from Millsaps College in May 2005. While at Millsaps College he received the Millsaps Award, Endowed Scholarship, and the Dean’s Scholarship. In August of 2005, James began law school at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Mississippi. While in law school, James was a member of the Environmental Law Society and one of the founding members of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, while managing to stay on the Dean’s List. After graduating in the top quarter of his law school class, James went to work for The Penton Law Firm out of Bogalusa, Louisiana where he practiced Mass Tort Litigation. His firm also served on the Plaintiff Steering Committee (PSC) for those harmed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. His main focus at the firm was global pharmaceutical settlements and Multi-District Litigation (MDL). Those cases included Vytorin, Vioxx, Celebrex, Viagra, DPC Arizona, and other mass tort actions. Over $400 million in settlement funds was distributed. In June 2009, James moved back home to his roots in Jackson, MS and started his own practice. At Scarff Law Firm, LLC, James took on personal injury cases, domestic/family law cases, DUI, criminal defense, and business transactions. At that time, he was also general counsel for three separate businesses. While continuing his own practice, James became a trial lawyer associate at The McRae Law Firm, PLLC, in May 2012 and worked on briefing appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court as well as Federal Court in the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi. In December 2015, James reconnected with his old high school sweetheart who had moved to Omaha, Nebraska after college. After a brief courtship, he married Emily Knight Scarff in May 2017 and promptly moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Where he shares a blended family with his wife. He has two step-sons, Hayden and Hudson Koesters, and a new addition to the Scarff Family came in September 2018, Colt Hayes Scarff. James also has a daughter, Emery Rose Scarff, who resides with her mother back in Mississippi.

Criminal Defense Law

6940 O St, Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68510

John S. Berry Jr. helps his clients fight some of the most important battles of their lives. John has not only led successful teams in the courtroom, resulting in several jury trial victories, but has also led soldiers in deployments to Iraq and Bosnia. John personifies the warrior ethos that is the foundation for Berry Law Firm’s success. Beyond the battlefield and the courtroom, Johns leadership experience extends to community organizations locally and nationally. He has been recognized as one of the National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Trial Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers 40 under 40. John graduated from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia (B.A. 1997) and Creighton University School of Law, cum laude, (2003). He is also a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College at Mercer Law School in Macon, Georgia (2004). John is past president of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.

Collections Law

14211 Arbor Street, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68144

Born in Nebraska, Mr. Brumbaugh attended Creighton University where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 1982. He is admitted to the Nebraska State and U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska as well as the Iowa State and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts, the U.S. Army Court of Military Review and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit. Mr. Brumbaugh’s areas of practice include Creditors Rights, Business Law, Collection Law and Civil Litigation. Mr. Brumbaugh is affiliated with various professional memberships including the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the United States Army Reserve, Pi Kappa Delta and Phi Alpha Delta.

Estate Planning Law

17007 Marcy St, Omaha, NE 68118, USA

Mary Vandenack is an estate planning and tax attorney in Omaha and serves as of counsel at Erickson & Sederstrom, or ES Law. Her work encompasses wealth transfers and corporate succession planning. She also advises high-net-worth clients on family legacy, asset protection and philanthropy, while her firm profile lists intellectual property law among her practice areas. Before joining ES Law with her team, Vandenack had spent much of her career leading her own firm. The announcement of their arrival also noted her recent lecturing at Creighton University School of Law. Her connection to Creighton goes back to her legal education. She edited the Creighton Law Review as editor-in-chief and earned her J.D. magna cum laude in 1992. Her undergraduate degree, completed in 1990 at the College of Saint Mary, was in business and accounting; she graduated summa cum laude. Vandenack has written for both legal and general readerships. Her Metro Magazine column covered estate planning, asset protection and business succession, and she has contributed commentary to Leimberg Services, whose coverage includes tax, trusts and estates, benefits and asset protection planning. In 2015, the American Bar Association presented her with its James I. Keane Award at Techshow for her e-lawyering efforts. Her earlier firm biography also records her induction into the College of Law Practice Management in 2017.

Criminal Defense Law

9202 W Dodge Rd, Omaha, NE 68114, USA

If you face serious criminal charges, you need a lawyer who understands the court system where your case will be tried. When your future is at risk, the attorney who sits beside you can make the difference between an outcome you can live with and one that you can't. I am Nebraska criminal defense lawyer Michael Stageman. I have handled thousands of criminal cases. I know what prosecutors need to put a case together. I also know how to take that case apart from a defense point of view. From my Headquarters in Omaha, I represent people throughout Nebraska who are looking for the highest possible level of defense.

Corporate and Transactional Law

31640 Road U, Sutton, NE 68979

Mitchell A. Carlson is a corporate associate and a member of the firm's Restructuring Group and Liability Management & Special Situations team.

Personal Injury Law

1018 Dodge Street, Suite 5, Omaha, NE 68102

With nearly a decade of experience as an Omaha trial lawyer, Natalie Andrews has represented clients against the most serious of felony charges, including first degree murder and serious drug offense cases, as well as for misdemeanor assaults and DUIs. Natalie’s start as a public defender provided her with immediate extensive experience in both trial and appellate litigation, having fought numerous cases all the way to the Supreme Court of Nebraska. She has a great reputation, not only with her clients but also within the legal community, achieving victories in a number of trials and overturning Nebraska law in its highest court. Natalie has also presented at numerous legal education seminars to fellow attorneys on a number of topics such as DNA interpretation and analysis of phone extractions. Her wide-ranging knowledge in forensics serves both her criminal and civil clients in ensuring the best options are exhausted and available in each individual case. Natalie’s background as an Omaha trial lawyer has also created a framework for her to seek justice for her clients who have been injured in an accident or hurt at work.

Securities Law

2077 N Street, Suite 320, Lincoln, NE 68510

Patti Vannoy is a partner with Mattson Ricketts, where she focuses her practice on investors’ rights and insurance issues. She has represented more than 400 clients with claims involving private placements, real estate investment trusts, variable annuities, life insurance, and all manner of securities, including cases against broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, insurers, and clearing firms. She has also led work on bad faith claims related to the financial services industry, against both errors and omissions and directors and officers insurers, and has represented several whistleblowers seeking protection under the Dodd-Frank Act and Sarbanes-Oxley. Before practicing law, Patti worked as a reporter and editor with major newspapers in the Midwest. ? Patti also enjoys a general civil practice, which includes labor law, civil litigation, contract negotiation, real estate, estate planning, and advising startup and small businesses. She currently serves as a Commissioner on the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations.

Immigration Law

1133 H St, Lincoln, NE 68508, USA

Mr. Guerra has experience with a variety of immigration cases. He has been employed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), formerly known as Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS). Mr. Guerra is dedicated to meeting your needs with knowledgeable and aggressive representation with your immigration matters. His practice is exclusively dedicated to immigration and he is trained to solve complicated legal issues presented by the constantly changing and complex Immigration and Naturalization laws. He is prepared to represent individuals in all types of immigration matters. Mr. Guerra is a graduate of University of Nebraska College of Law and is licensed in the states of Nebraska and Colorado.

Estate Planning Law

2426 South 179th Street, Omaha, NE 68130

William J. Bianco is a lawyer practicing estate planning, family law, business law and 1 other area of law. William J. received a B.S. degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1987, and has been licensed for 36 years. William J. practices at Bianco Stroh, LLC in Omaha, NE.

Corporate and Transactional Law

1607 S Locust St, Grand Island, NE 68801, USA

Brandi Bosselman is president and corporate counsel of Bosselman Enterprises, a company based in Grand Island, Nebraska. Her position combines a corporate leadership title with a legal counsel role within the business. The company’s leadership roster lists her alongside Charlie Bosselman, its chairman and chief executive officer, and executives responsible for strategy, operations and finance. Bosselman’s professional setting is a diversified business serving travelers and the commercial trucking industry. Bosselman Enterprises traces its beginnings to a Nebraska truck stop established in 1948. The company describes itself as Nebraska-born and owned for four generations, with operations that have expanded into a nationwide business. Its holdings include hotels and motels, diesel truck repair and service shops, restaurants, full-service travel centers and convenience stores. The company’s brands illustrate the range of businesses within that organization. Boss Shop provides commercial truck repair, while Pump & Pantry operates in the convenience-store sector. The company also lists a full-service travel center and Boss Fuels Inc., which provides fuel management solutions. Its hospitality category covers restaurants and lodging, and Vision Comm supplies storage and vending services. These are the company’s business activities, rather than a list of Bosselman’s individual legal specialties. Her identified professional role is president and corporate counsel within that multi-division organization.