Top Best Family Lawyers | 17715 Available

BiographyJeffrey C. KnappEducation  Juris Doctor with Dean’s Honors, Washburn University School of Law, 1996  Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1983  Kearney High School, 1979Admitted to the practice of law  Nebraska, April, 1997  Kansas, April, 1998Professional organizations  American Bar Association  Nebraska Bar Association  Buffalo County Bar AssociationCivic Activities  Kearney Community Theatre, Board of Directors  Nebraska District Optimist, Lt. Governor Zone 8  Kearney Optimist Club, President and life member  Central Nebraska Auto Club, Treasurer  Nebraska Rod and Custom Association  Member of many national collector auto clubs, including Buick Club of. America, Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Antique Automobile Club of America  American Manchester Terrier Club  Delta Signa Pi business fraternity, alumnus and life member  Phi Delta Phi law fraternity, alumnus and life member

Nicole Mailahn represents clients in several different areas of law, but works primarily in family law, custody, guardianships/conservatorships and workers’ compensation.. In her family law practice, Nicole works with clients who have simple uncontested divorces to cases involving custody litigation, including requests to relocate to another state. She also assists clients enmeshed in domestic violence situations. Nicole is well attuned to understand the underlying issues and motives involved in these types of cases. In addition to the standard issues with custody, she also addresses the division of the assets and debts, as well as property issues implicated in divorce cases (e.g., tracing of premarital and nonmarital assets and debts, Grace awards, application of Van Newkirk exceptions, valuation of business entities).. Nicole regularly assists clients dealing with relatives or close friends in need of assistance with their financial or medical needs by setting up a guardianship or conservatorship. In this role, she is skilled in performing all primary and supplementary work involved, such as reaching out to medical providers to confirm the necessity of an appointment, as well as assisting with annual reporting and accounting that is court ordered after an appointment. She regularly participates in guardianship/conservatorship training classes to answer questions newly appointed guardians and conservators may have.. In handling juvenile cases, she is often appointed Guardian Ad Litem, whose role is to protect the best interest of the child during the course of a juvenile legal proceeding. Her passion for representing the best interests of minor children who have been either abused or neglected makes her dedication to and authority in this practice more effectual in bettering the interests of all involved. Nicole also defends parents who have lost custody of their children due to alleged neglect or abuse allegations and works diligently with her clients so that their children can return to a safe home as quickly as possible.. At Jacobsen Orr, Nicole also serves as the primary attorney for workers’ compensation cases. She has successfully handled several workers’ compensation trials in which her clients were awarded temporary total disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, payment of past and future medical expenses, attorney fees and vocational rehabilitation services. Nicole has appeared in front of the workers’ compensation review panel and has also argued workers’ compensation cases to the Nebraska Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.. In addition, Nicole regularly deals with workers’ compensation questions posed by corporate clients. Working on behalf of the employer, Nicole has drafted several stipulations and settlements resolving all claims on behalf of the employer and employee. She has also defended employers that did not have the proper insurance coverage under the Workers’ Compensation Act. She is adept in communicating with employees, employers and insurance companies to comply with the Workers’ Compensation Act, working to resolve disputes without initiating a lawsuit.

Sagan Carman-Downer grew up in Imperial, Nebraska. She attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She went on to the University of Nebraska College of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. Upon graduating, she returned to Southwest Nebraska as her husband farms in Red Willow County.. During her time in law school, Sagan had the opportunity to work for a private practice that focused on estate planning and administration, real estate law, and business law. She primarily practices in these areas, but is happy to discuss any legal matter with you.. In her spare time Sagan enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and renovating her home.