MELANY O’BRIEN
Of Counsel
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: 460 | Average rating: 4.9
JR Pilus
Pu Koh
Great job and easy to work with .
Sean Kennedy
I felt Mike did a awesome job couldn’t have got a better lawyer I would recommend the firm to anyone……Thank you
Theresa
Tim was excellent to work with during a difficult accident case.
Beverly Howard
I was reluctant to deal with lawyers and suing for my injury. Would have settled myself if I’d been offered the cost of my care, but I was put off. My son, who had previously used this firm took me to see them. They pursued avenues for recovery that I never thought of and settled for far, far more than I ever dreamed. They are well worth the time. Kyle McGann was professional and kind.
girard hunter
Fast and great with understanding and communication! Appreciate the work that you guys do!
Nia Williams
Tim helped me out so much with both of my cases! Awesome lawyer! Thank you so much! Would definitely recommend!
Justin Acosta
Was involved in a serious car accident and broke my neck. My family reached out to this firm and they immediately went to work. If you want someone who has your best interests in mind then look no further. In all honesty I did nothing, they worked hard and handled absolutely everything. And the end result was much better than I could’ve hoped for.
Jack McCloud
Hauptman, O’Brien along with Kathryn Harnett worked hard and stuck it out even when it got tough and I had pretty much given up on any justice in my case. Cheers.
tom jeffreys
I was very happy with the outcome of my case! Highly recommended!
No Attorney Fees Unless You Win
Michael fought the hard fight and got my settlement. Everyone was very professional and very responsive to my emails and calls.