Lawyers in Nebraska

Finding a lawyer in Nebraska

Most Nebraska law firms are in Omaha and Lincoln, but legal needs stretch across the whole state, from Grand Island and Kearney to Scottsbluff and the Sandhills. Many rural counties are served by a small number of general-practice lawyers who handle farm succession, real estate, wills and local criminal cases in the same week. This directory helps you find Nebraska law firms by practice area and by city, so you can decide whether a nearby generalist or a firm in a larger city that focuses on your type of case fits your situation.

Lawyers in Nebraska are licensed by the Nebraska Supreme Court. Trial courts are organized by county as district courts for larger civil cases and felonies and county courts for smaller civil matters, misdemeanors, probate and small claims.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Talk to a Nebraska attorney without delay if you are charged with a crime, arrested for DUI, injured in a crash or at work, going through a divorce with children or property, dealing with an immigration case, or served with a lawsuit. Nebraska sets its filing deadlines by statute, and some claims, including those against political subdivisions, require a formal claim before a lawsuit can be filed.

The small claims division of the county court is built for people without lawyers, and attorneys generally do not appear there. Uncontested matters and simple traffic tickets are also commonly handled alone. When in doubt, a brief consultation is inexpensive; many Nebraska firms offer the first meeting free or at a reduced rate.

Common practice areas in Nebraska

• Personal Injury and Car Accident — crash and injury claims, including collisions on the interstate and rural highways, typically handled on contingency.
• Family & Divorce — dissolution, custody and parenting plans, child support and alimony in district court.
• Criminal Defense and DUI & DWI — misdemeanor and felony defense in county and district courts, including DUI and administrative license revocation.
• Workers' Compensation — job-injury claims heard by the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, a separate court dedicated to these cases.
• Immigration — a federal practice; Omaha has a federal immigration court, and demand is steady in meatpacking and agricultural communities.
• Bankruptcy — a federal practice filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts and probate in county court, often involving farmland and family businesses.
• Real Estate — residential, commercial and agricultural transactions, leases and boundary matters.
• Employment, Business and Social Security Disability — workplace disputes, company formation and contracts, and federal disability appeals.

Medical Malpractice, Tax, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights and Traffic Ticket firms appear in the directory as well.

How to check a lawyer's license in Nebraska

The Nebraska Supreme Court keeps the official roster of licensed attorneys, and its online lookup shows whether a lawyer is active and in good standing. Attorney discipline is handled by the Counsel for Discipline of the Nebraska Supreme Court, and public disciplinary decisions are issued by the court.

The Nebraska State Bar Association is the state's professional association and offers member directories and referral services, but the license itself comes from the Supreme Court. If you cannot find a lawyer in the lookup, ask for their bar number. Lawyers licensed only in Iowa, Kansas or Colorado generally cannot handle a Nebraska court case without special permission.

How to choose a law firm

In a state with long distances, weigh experience against convenience. A rural generalist may know your county court well, while a firm in Omaha or Lincoln may handle your type of case every day. Ask each candidate how many similar matters they have taken recently, in which courts, and who at the firm will do the work.

Get the fee arrangement in writing. Nebraska lawyers use contingency fees in injury and workers' compensation cases, hourly billing for most family and business matters, and flat fees for defined tasks. Ask which expenses are billed separately and how often you will receive statements.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

1. How often do you handle cases like mine, and in which courts?
2. Who will work on my file day to day?
3. How are fees calculated, and what costs are extra?
4. Are there deadlines or claim requirements we need to meet soon?
5. What range of results should I prepare for?
6. Can we meet or attend hearings remotely if I live far from your office?
7. How will you keep me informed?

Free and low-cost legal help

Legal Aid of Nebraska provides free civil legal help to lower-income Nebraskans in housing, family, consumer, benefits and farm-related matters, and the Nebraska Judicial Branch offers self-help centers and forms for people representing themselves.

The Nebraska State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects callers with a private attorney for an initial consultation, along with volunteer lawyer programs. The University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln and Creighton University School of Law in Omaha operate clinics in which supervised students handle selected cases.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Nebraska attorney about your situation.