Cozad, Nebraska Lawyers

I primarily practice in the areas of criminal defense, juvenile law, and estate planning/probate. I also handle some other types of matters, including guardianships, name changes, adoptions, nonprofit corporation formation, personal injury, and landlord-tenant disputes. I practice in many counties in South Central Nebraska, including Buffalo, Sherman, Kearney, Franklin, Harlan Furnas, Gosper, Dawson, and Red Willow Counties. I am originally from the Black Hills of South Dakota. I enjoy playing the cello, drag racing with my family, reading, travelling, and spending time with my husband and pets.

Berry Law Firm has led fights against unjust prosecutions and government overreach since 1965. This team of warrior lawyers knows what it takes to win in the courtroom and beyond.

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, John’s leadership experience extends to community organizations...

Susan Napolitano fights for her clients through her main practice areas of Real Estate, Business, and Estate Planning to make sure they keep all they have earned and that they continue to build upon their assets. Susan stands shoulder to shoulder with her clients to safeguard their assets, livelihood, and their loved ones during some of the most frightening and challenging times of their lives. Susan knows first-hand that successful people and successful companies must act quickly and strategically to fend off threats without losing focus on their mission. Susan helps corporations and business owners overcome complex problems in business...

Established in 1995, Petersen Criminal Defense has handled over 7000 cases. Due to ever increasing complexity and conflicting legislation, I have limited my practice solely to criminal defense such as drunk driving, federal crimes, sexual assault, drug crimes and assault.

I grew up in Spokane, Washington and discovered at an early age that I wanted to pursue a legal career.

At age 16, I began working at a general practice law firm answering phones and filing legal documents. Eventually, I was admitted under Rule 16 of the Washington Supreme Court to represent clients on a limited basis. By age 19, I was...

Kathleen Pallesen is passionate attorney who finds fulfillment by helping people in times of legal crisis. With an extensive legal background in juvenile and guardianship issues, Kathleen has found that her greatest strength revolves around her ability to help those in need. She knows, instinctively, how to make connections with people and how to help them formulate a solution to their problems. Kathleen has the ability to think outside the box, and craft solutions tailored for her individual clients.

Kathleen started her legal career in Washington D.C. as a legislative aide to Congressman Peter Hoagland. After moving back to Omaha...

Mr. Harris vigorously protects his clients from false criminal allegations as well as police overreach and brutality. Mr. Harris has extensive experience protecting the rights of citizens in Omaha and members of the military. Additionally, he is a member of the United States Army National Guard, with over 18 years of service where he served as the Assistant Operational Law Attorney and Trial Counsel. He practiced in the areas of Operational Law, Administrative Law and Military Justice, and advised commanders and senior non-commissioned officers. Mr. Harris has appeared before The United States Court of Appeals Eighth Circuit and The Nebraska...

Bassel El-Kasaby is senior partner of KasabyNicholls. Practicing primarily in Immigration law, civil rights, and transportation law, Bassel holds a Juris Doctor degree with distinction from the University of Iowa. He also has a Masters Degree in Urban Planning. A former faculty member at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute, he was involved in teaching and research on aviation law, policy, and regulation.

As a former prosecutor, public defender and attorney for the State, I have several years of criminal law experience and unique insight into defending any type of criminal charges. I have also worked as legal counsel for the Tax Equalization and Review Commission, where I dealt with property tax appeals from both residential, commercial and agricultural land owners. I have extensive trial and courtroom experience and a real passion to help people. Regardless of your legal issues, service to my clients is my number one priority.

Craig loves being a lawyer. “It’s helping people heal first, and then getting them results for their losses and permanent injury. Whether it’s a fight about liability, medical care, or treatment. If you don’t have an injury lawyer, you are more likely to get turned down on liability or proper medical treatment. Our team fights a lot of battles, for our clients. It’s rewarding to help people heal better and faster with the proper medical treatment, not to mention make the world safer. It’s satisfying to help people battle against big insurance and corporations that these people simply...

Chad J. Wythers attended the University of Nebraska (B.A. 1996) and the University of Nebraska, College of Law (J.D. 2001).

Chad is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney Association (NCDAA), the Lincoln, Bar Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). He is admitted to practice law in the State of Nebraska; the United States District Court, District of Nebraska; the United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims.

Chad has tried cases in multiple states and is a member of California...

Attorney-Owner of Lapin Law Offices located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Represent injured, abused and disabled clients throughout Nebraska with caring, passion and dedication. Hired Patrick Driver as an Associate in mid-2011. Expanded practice areas to include claims against abusive debt collectors (FDCPA) and telemarketers (TCPA).

Attorney R. Joseph Pilgrim is a Veterans Affairs (VA) attorney. As a former United States Navy service member with posts at both NAS Whidbey Island and the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), he has a personal connection with VA cases and Veteran concerns. He attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where he earned both his law degree and his seat as the President of the Veterans Legal Association. In his efforts to enhance the legal community, he founding the Washburn Legal Assistance Clinic while in attendance at Washburn University. The prestigious National Jurist Magazine selected Joe Pilgrim as its...

Eric Chandler is a former criminal prosecutor with the Douglas County Attorney's Office. Mr. Chandler left his job as a prosecutor in 2007 to open The Law Office of Eric R. Chandler, PC, LLO. Mr. Chandler specializes in personal injury and criminal defense law. His injury practice is focused on helping people who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents.

Andrew served ten years in the Marine Corps, first as an infantry officer and later as a judge advocate. He commanded a rifle platoon, a Dragons platoon, and a company in the Second Marine Division. After attending Creighton University on the Funded Law Program and graduating summa cum laude in 1986, he served as a trial defense counsel at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. He participated in several high-profile military cases involving charges ranging from homicide to capital espionage.

In the years following his military service, Andrew has handled complex white collar criminal and civil cases in federal, military and...

Jerusha Hancock graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.A. in 2002. She received a Master's degree in counseling from Denver Seminary in 2005 and graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2008. She then clerked for Chief Justice Michael Heavican of the Nebraska Supreme Court for over three years. Jerusha worked for Nebraska Appleseed for two years in the Health Care Access Program before coming to work for the Berry Law Firm.

Cameron Kroeger comes to us after a career as an Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer, then as a defense contractor. Stateside, Cameron worked in support of US Forces in the Middle East, and he deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His medals include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal, among others. After graduating from the University of Nebraska College of Law, Cameron joined the Berry Law Firm team.

• Fellow - American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
• Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist
• Best Lawyers in America
• Super Lawyers
• Omaha Estate Planning Council
• Creighton University School of Law – Estate Planning Adjunct Professor
• Nebraska Bar Association - Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section
• Iowa Bar Association - Elder Law and Probate, Trust & Estate Planning Sections
• Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent Peer Review Rating and Distinguished Peer and Client Reviews
• 2011 Nebraska Partnership for Philanthropic Planning Community Sower Award

Badura & Wintz Law is ranked Tier 1 in Trusts & Estates Law and Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law in the Omaha region by Best...

Liam K. Meehan is a Partner at Wagner Meehan and Watson, LLP. He has practiced out of an office in Sarpy County since 2012. Mr. Meehan has an active family law practice in Sarpy, Douglas, and Pottawattamie County in Iowa. He handles divorces, modifications, child support and paternity cases. Mr. Meehan also has experience in criminal law dealing with both simple first time driving under influence charges to also handling more serious felonies. Mr. Meehan has represented criminal clients at the Nebraska Supreme Court on numerous occasions.

Mr. Meehan been awarded the Top 10 under 40 by The...

Justin received his Bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College (B.A.) and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law (J.D.). During his time at Iowa, Justin served as an extern to the Hon. Judge John A. Jarvey of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, and as a research assistant for Prof. Maya Steinitz.

He is admitted to practice law in Nebraska, Illinois, and United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.

"I thought Justin was more than helpful and he got me out of a sticky situation.
I could not be more pleased...

Matt Aerni fights for those who are injured and those who have been falsely accused of crimes. Mr. Aerni previously worked at one of the nation’s largest insurance companies and has first-hand knowledge of how insurance companies will try to put their own interests ahead of those of their clients when it comes to paying out claims. Matt seeks justice for those fighting insurance companies and the government alike. Additionally, Matt has represented several clients in breach of contract cases.

Matt also maintains a substantial criminal defense practice, focusing mainly on misdemeanor and felony defense. Matt has successfully represented clients...

Nominated one of "10 Best" Attorneys for Nebraska by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys in 2015. Winner of Michael W. Amdor Memorial Excellence in Legal Research Award.

Stephani Bennett served in the Air Force as an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and her Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law. In law school, she clerked for attorneys in Lincoln and Omaha and served as vice president of a student organization responsible for setting up five events a year. Stephani practiced Family Law, Criminal Law, and Native American Law before finding a passion for Veterans’ Benefits Law. She is a strong proponent of Constitutional rights, particularly with regard to the Second Amendment. Stephani joined the...

Joseph J. Donnelly has over 7 years of experience representing veterans with VA disability claim appeals. Joseph has represented hundreds of veterans at VA Regional Offices and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Additionally, he has represented over 100 veterans in their appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Joseph is a VA accredited attorney, a member of the National Organization of Veteran Advocates (NOVA), and a member of the CAVC Bar Association. Joseph’s past litigation experience also includes family, criminal defense, traffic, and employment law.

Perry Andrew Pirsch has 20 years of experience in the practice of law. In addition to over a decade in private practice, Perry served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Nebraska in Civil Litigation (1998-2000), Legislative Counsel to U.S. Rep. Lee Terry (2003-2004), General Counsel to the Nebraska State Auditor of Public Accounts (2004-2007), and Deputy and Counsel to the Nebraska State Treasurer (2007-2008).

Perry received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) College of Law in 1998 and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science in 1994 ( UNL). He also holds a...

Vanessa attended the University of South Dakota for college, graduate school, and law school, and earned her J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2005. She is a member of the Thomas Sterling Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed upon the top 10% of students in each USD Law graduating class. Prior to moving to Lincoln in 2008, Vanessa practiced law in rural northeastern Nebraska. Throughout her career, Vanessa has concentrated on representing individuals in family law, juvenile law, and guardianship/adoption matters in probate court. Vanessa was honored to be part of the 2008-2009 Nebraska...

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...

Smith Law Omaha is located at 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200, Omaha Nebraska. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter @smithlawomaha. We offer services in many areas of law including: Wills, Car Accidents, Guardianship, Real Estate Closings, Evictions, Divorce, Criminal Defense, Annulment, Legal Separation, DUIs, Personal Injury and Contracts. Member of Nebraska State Bar Association and Omaha Bar Association. Attorney Rebecca Smith has been in practice for 20 years. She earned her undergraduate degree from Wayne State College, Wayne, Nebraska in 1978. She graduated from Creighton Law School in 1988 and has a thriving practice in...