MELANY O’BRIEN
Attorney
Melany (Lanagan) O’Brien was born and raised in South Sioux City, Neb. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989 from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Melany also earned a law degree in 1993 from Creighton University School of Law and was admitted to the Nebraska Bar and the Federal Courts in 1993.
Bar Admissions
- Nebraska, 1993
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska
- U.S. Federal Courts
Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Omaha Bar Association
- Nebraska State Bar Association
- Nebraska Women’s Bar Association
- Nebraska State Bar Foundation
- Women’s Center for Advancement
- American Association for Justice
- Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
Education:
- Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska, 1993
Doctor of Jurisprudence
Honors: Cum Laude - University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1989
B.S., with Distinction
Published Works:
- Lead Poisoning Prevention in Nebraska, The Nebraska Lawyer Magazine
- Personal Injury & Workers’ Compensation Proceeds in a Divorce, Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
Areas of Practice:
- Car Accident Injuries
- Truck Accident Injuries
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Boat Accident Injuries
- Pedestrian Accident Injuries
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Workplace Injuries
- Slip & Fall Accident Injuries
- Animal Bite Injuries
- Faulty Products Injuries
- Long-Term Disability
- Brain Injuries
- Burn Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Medical Malpractice
- Wrongful Death
Melany O’Brien has been an active volunteer in the Omaha community, particularly with her involvement on the Women’s Center for Advancement board, where she has dedicated many years to helping victims of domestic abuse. She has also contributed her time to speaking at various schools, conducting courthouse tours for grade school students, and assisting with mock trials for high school students across Nebraska.
In addition, Melany has volunteered at the Omaha Food Bank, the Hunger Relief Program, and local animal shelters, showing her commitment to various causes and community service.
“I was inspired to go into legal work because I wanted to help people. I was always interested in the law, and out of law school I took a job that I thought would be great,” recalled Melany. “It was with a great law firm and a really great group of people, but it was doing insurance defense work. I was working for the insurance companies, and after a couple of years, I found it was not rewarding. I started in personal injury and I now feel like I’m helping people who would not be able to get through this process by themselves because the insurance company will just walk all over them, and take advantage of them, if they’re not represented by someone who is looking out for their best interest.”
With a career focused on Personal Injury and Product Liability Law, as well as Civil Litigation, Melany has served on the Practice and Procedure, Mediation, Legislative, Ways and Means, and Judicial Resources committees in the Nebraska State Bar Association. She is currently the Chair of the House of Delegates and a member of the Executive Council of the Nebraska State Bar Association. She is also a Fellow and Board Member of the Nebraska Bar Foundation. Melany is also the attorney of the firm.
Of all the affiliations Melany is deeply involved with, she is most proud of the work she does with the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA). “Being on that board, I feel we’re doing so many meaningful things to help people get out of abusive situations, and as you know, Hauptman O’Brien provides free cab rides for someone who’s in an abusive situation. If they want a ride to an agency or a hospital, we cover the cost of rides for people who are going through an unfortunate ordeal and are seeking help.”
Melany is a recipient of the David A. Svoboda Trial Award and is the author of “Lead Poisoning Prevention in Nebraska,” in The Nebraska Lawyer Magazine and “Personal Injury & Workers’ Compensation Proceeds in a Divorce,” for the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys.
“Ask anyone who has worked with Melany or been part of her social life and they will all be quick to tell you she is determined, funny, loyal, hard-working,” said Attorney Tim O’Brien. “She is caring and she is always open-minded, but when it’s time to fight for her clients, nobody is more tenacious than Melany O’Brien.”
“I cannot say enough about Melany and the staff. Always supportive, empathetic, and willing to spend time making sure my questions were answered. Thank you for fighting for me over these years nearly 3 years.”
– Amy Lockman Wood
Client Testimonials
Total reviews: 447 | Average rating: 4.9
jim ryba
Kalem Barber
Upfront and the most professional people to work with that will help you. Answered all questions clearly and communication is on point. They have helped out with several cases. Would highly recommend choosing them as your representation.
Matt Tomasello
Great group of people worked hard from the beginning to the end of my sons case. Entire office worked hard to get the correct outcome for my son. Definitely would recommend to anyone who has an injury case. From the bottom of our hearts my famliy appreciates everyone on David’s team for all the hard work they did.
Mary Petersen
It is very beneficial to seek legal counsel when you have been a victim in an accident. A person without legal counsel cannot achieve maximum benefits. It’s just the way it is…. Every day people don’t write the rules, but attorneys can help you live by the rules. Hauptman O’Brien attorneys are thorough, helpful, considerate and patient. I can strongly recommend Kyle McGinn. The process he assisted me with was arduous and lengthy. I am very appreciative of the outcome and the focus on my return to wellness.
Dave Eckley
I’ve had the pleasure of working with your firm twice now, and it’s always been a pleasure. Very professional and courteous, it’s like you took a bad experience and made feel comfortable. Thanks so much for your help.
Sarah Estudillo
Choosing to work with David was the best decision we made to help us navigate everything after a car accident. He made the whole process seamless and stress free. Couldn’t recommend enough!
colleen cohrs
Professional and caring.
Very detail oriented and fact finding is a priority.
I felt like I found the best, with the HOWL law firm.
Jeremy, Nichole, and Michael…. WOW!!!!!!
They walked me through hell, and have been there throughout the whole process.
I recommend this firm, if you want to know that you are important, and your case matters.
My case is at closing, and I feel comfortable with the case they worked for me….yet, I feel sad, like I am losing some great friends.
Call this firm….they are honest and good people first.
Tori Carsley
I can’t thank Jeremy, Nicole, and Andrea enough for the way they handled my case. After my car accident, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, but their team stepped in with confidence, compassion, and clear communication every step of the way.
They explained things in a way that actually made sense, fought hard to make sure I was treated fairly, and never made me feel like just another case number.
If you’re looking for attorneys who actually care and know how to get things done — these are your people
Linda Andrews
What a great service, thank you so much for the free ride. I appreciate it so much!
Landon
I would give more stars if I could best lawyers I’ve ever dealt with would 1000000% recommend
No Attorney Fees Unless You Win
David O’Neil and his team at the Bellevue office were very helpful settling my injury case. I would recommend them to anyone who has sustained an injury that is not of their doing. Thanks.