Partner Cathy Trent-Vilim participated in a panel discussion for the Nebraska State Bar Association’s (NSBA) Appellate Practice Section. The session focused on the strategic importance of amicus briefs, including how to craft persuasive arguments, identify opportunities, and navigate the ethical considerations involved in appellate litigation. She was joined by Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Jonathan Papik, Deputy Solicitor General Zachary Viglianco, Danny Leavitt, and Chair of the NSBA Appellate [...]

Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP (LDM) welcomes Kaleigh R. Blinn, Edin Sehic, Hannah C. Junk, and Tevyn L. Waddell. Kaleigh Blinn is a litigation associate in LDM’s West Des Moines, Iowa office. A cum laude graduate from the University of Northern Iowa, she earned her law degree with honors from Drake University in 2024, receiving multiple distinctions for her work in advocacy, public service, and legal writing. Edin Sehic, also [...]

Partner Cathy Trent-Vilim recently argued two cases before the Nebraska Supreme Court. One case involved a procedural issue related to when a third party’s intervention in a case is proper. The other involved the grant of summary judgment in an employment whistleblower retaliation case.  In both cases, Ms. Trent-Vilim argued for the appellee. Decisions are expected in 2-4 months. To learn more about Cathy and her appellate work, click here. [...]

This prestigious honor celebrates Attorney Erin K. Artz’s outstanding leadership, dedication, and accomplishments in her field and community. Her commitment to excellence and innovation continues to inspire those around her. Lamson Dugan & Murray is proud to see Erin recognized for her remarkable achievements and contributions to our community. Congratulations to all 2024 “40 Under 40” recipients.

Partner Janice M. Thomas was appointed At-Large Representative for the Iowa Defense Counsel Association (IDCA) Board of Directors effective September 12, 2024. She will serve a three-year term. Members of the IDCA are lawyers and claims professionals actively engaged in the practice of law or in work relating to the handling of claims and the defense of legal actions. Founded in 1964, with official incorporation in 1965, its [...]

Attorney Erin K. Artz was recently recognized by the Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) as the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) Volunteer Hero. Click here to read her recognition. The NSBA began the VLP in 1983 to help Nebraska attorneys meet their pro bono goals. In 2023, volunteers with VLP helped over 9,600 low-income Nebraskans in 2023.

LDM Of Counsel Mark E. Novotny and Attorney Olivia R. McDowell recently obtained a summary judgment dismissal of their physician client in a medical malpractice case in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. The physician, an independent contractor at a Federally Qualified Health Center, was sued for alleged medical malpractice by a patient of the Health Center. Pursuant to the physician’s contract with the [...]

Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP is pleased to announce 21 attorneys have been recognized for their professional excellence in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. The recognition of The Best Lawyers in America® is awarded to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one attorney is recognized as the Lawyer of the Year for each specialty and location. [...]

Attorney Olivia R. McDowell has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Defense Counsel Association (NDCA). The NDCA is a state-wide association dedicated to serving the needs of Nebraska attorneys who focus on the defense of civil lawsuits. With approximately 200 members practicing in state and federal courts, the NDCA plays a vital role in supporting the professional growth and development of its members. [...]

Partner Mike Storey recently persuaded the Nebraska Department of Insurance (“NDOI”) to overturn its own decision to deny an LDM client a producer’s license. A producer’s license would permit the client to sell, solicit, and negotiate insurance in the state of Nebraska. Challenging the decision, Mr. Storey presented documentary and testimonial evidence during a contested hearing at the administrative offices in Lincoln, Nebraska. After receiving and analyzing the [...]

Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP is pleased to announce five attorneys have been selected to the 2024 Great Plains Super Lawyers list in addition to attorney Erin K. Artz who has been selected as a 2024 Great Plains Rising Star. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections [...]

Partner Sean A. Minahan and Attorney Austin C. Printz obtained a favorable ruling for a farmer from north central Nebraska whose 2021 crop insurance claim was originally denied for lack of an insurable cause of loss for his dryland and irrigated crops. While the insurer later admitted to an insurable cause of loss on the farmers dryland crops, the insurer denied the claim alleging the farmer failed [...]

Drake Law School’s ABA NAAC (National Appellate Advocacy Competition) Moot Court team competed in February in the regional competition that took place in Boston at the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Lamson Dugan & Murray law clerk Kelsey Schott was a member of the team. The team received their problem in November, submitted their brief in early January, and prepared for competition through January and February. Local attorneys and judges [...]

During the Nebraska Supreme Court’s recent March and April sessions, Partner Cathy Trent-Vilim presented oral arguments in three separate cases. The first was an appeal defending healthcare professionals. In that appeal, Ms. Trent-Vilim argued the trial court properly granted a directed verdict in favor of the healthcare professional after the plaintiff could not establish his medical expert was sufficiently familiar with the local community where the medical services [...]

Lamson Dugan & Murray Attorney Ryan P. Tunink presented oral argument to the Iowa Court of Appeals on April 17, 2024, in an appeal defending the appointment of a trustee. The appeal is part of an ongoing intra-family dispute regarding the administration of a woman’s trust. In this specific appeal, Tunink argued that the district court correctly appointed his client as trustee in accordance with the terms of [...]

Attorney Ted Appel, current law clerk Kelsey Schott, and former law clerk Kendra Sparby were recently recognized by Drake Law School for their contributions to its Moot Court Program. Ted was made as an honorary member to the Order of Barristers, a national society whose purpose is to recognize special efforts and contributions to moot court programs in American law schools, for his volunteer work in judging moot court events [...]

Attorney Theodore T. Appel presented oral arguments to the Iowa Supreme Court on Thursday, March 21, 2024 in an appeal defending hospitals and healthcare professionals. The appeal involved Iowa Code section 147.140, known as the certificate of merit affidavit statute. This statute requires a plaintiff to provide an affidavit from a qualified medical expert early in litigation that verifies the allegations of medical malpractice. Failure to substantially comply [...]

Attorney Erin K. Artz authored “Family Business Succession Planning” which was featured in The Nebraska Lawyer’s March/April issue. The article discusses the importance of succession planning for family businesses, particularly as the owner ages. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive plan that addresses management, ownership, and tax considerations well in advance of the owner's planned exit from the business. The article notes the high failure rates in [...]

As the issue editor for The Nebraska Lawyer’s March/April issue, Monte L. Schatz, undertook a range of responsibilities. These included the confirmation of topics and authors for articles, organizing the preferred order for articles where applicable, collecting and reviewing articles for content, gathering approved author bios and headshots if not provided with the article, and finally, coordinating the submission of all reviewed articles and bios for final review. [...]

Partners Eric W. Tiritilli and Sean A. Minahan gave a presentation to farm managers on agency law, their role as fiduciaries, and how to best help them from inadvertently binding their company to duties not obligated under a contract. Mr. Tiritilli and Mr. Minahan provided helpful scenarios that were insightful and well received by the audience.

Partner Daniel J. Waters recently sat down with the Omaha Community Foundation for an interview where he shared the importance of working with experts when making financial decisions, including when it comes to charitable giving. Click here to read his full interview.

Partner Mark E. Novotny presented at the 2024 Creighton University/CHI Maternal Child Health Conference at Lakeside Hospital on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. This annual program is designed to provide education to nurses on various issues that impact the care delivered to the neonatal, pediatric and maternal population and to advance the quality of care provided in the hospital and clinic settings. Mr. Novotny spoke to 117 obstetrical labor [...]

Attorney Ted Appel judged oral arguments conducted by first year law students of Drake Law School on March 19, 2024, for the First Year Oral Argument Competition. These oral arguments are designed for first year law students at Drake Law School to gain practical experience in the art of appellate advocacy and receive real time feedback on their advocacy from members of the legal community. This semester’s oral [...]

Rebecca Queensland is a corporate attorney in LDM’s Omaha office. She graduated cum laude from Hamline University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Business Administration. During her time at Hamline, Rebecca was a member of the nationally competitive mock trial team and served as a legal research and writing tutor. She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from the Sandra Day O'Connor [...]

On February 22, 2024, Partner Daniel J. Waters gave a presentation on how to better manage the estate planning process at the Farmers National Company’s 2024 Landowner Workshop Series in Phoenix, AZ. These nationwide workshops help landowners plan for the future, build their legacy and educate their families on succession planning. Click here to learn more.

On February 15th, Partner Craig F. Martin presented at the American Roofing Supply/SRS Distribution’s Week of Education. Craig discussed how contractors, subcontractors, developers, owners, material suppliers and design professionals can deal with construction disputes.

LDM is proud to participate in Grow Nebraska Women’s Business Center’s BAIL Series. BAIL stands for banker, accountant, insurance and legal. These entities are crucial to the growth and proper development of a business. LDM’s participation in the office hours for the BAIL series will allow access to quality information. Office Hours for the BAIL Series will be hosted every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Heartland Workforce [...]

Lamson Dugan and Murray LLP announces the election of Cathy Trent-Vilim as the newest member of the Management Committee. This decision, made by the Partnership of the Firm, solidifies Cathy's position alongside Omaha Partners Patrick G. Vipond and Kyle Wallor, as well as Des Moines Partner Rick Harris. Rick, also a newer member of the Management Committee, joined in January of last year. Cathy specializes in the [...]

After 7 years of litigation, two mistrials, and only days before starting a third jury trial, LDM obtained summary judgment in a medical malpractice case. The case involved a woman who lost her breast after developing mastitis caused by an especially aggressive strain of MRSA. The parties first tried the case in the summer of 2022. It ended in a mistrial after 3 jurors were excused less [...]

Attorney Callie A. Kanthack has been selected to join The Women’s Fund Circles Class 12. The Women’s Fund addresses gender-based inequities in our community through collaboration that identifies, researches and creates solutions to advance, educate and fund lasting impact. Circles is a diverse network of professionals who support the mission of the Women’s Fund to improve the lives of all women, girls and anyone facing gender-based oppression in [...]

Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP (LDM) names Andrew R. Wilkinson as partner to the Firm. Previously an associate at the Firm, Andrew Wilkinson continues his practice in the litigation department. His areas of expertise include construction litigation, transportation litigation, medical malpractice defense, business dispute litigation, and insurance matters. Andrew enjoys representing contractors, subcontractors, developers, owners, material suppliers and design professionals in construction disputes. He has extensive first chair [...]

Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP was regulatory counsel for Midwest Holding Inc. in connection with the 100 million dollar transaction whereby it was acquired by the New York investment firm Antarctica. Click here to read the full press release.

After lengthy litigation that began in October 2020, Partner Andrew C. Johnson and his team at LDM obtained summary judgment dismissal of all pending claims against his clients, the Respondents, in a Will dispute pending in Black Hawk County, Iowa. The Petitioner sought to have a Will set aside due to undue influence and lack of capacity. As the case progressed, Petitioner added claims for alleged fraud and [...]