Steve Lathrop

Attorney

Steve Lathrop was born and raised in Omaha and is a graduate of Roncalli High School. Steve’s father was also a lawyer, which led him to a career in law. Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979 and a law degree from Creighton University in 1981. He was admitted to practice law in the Nebraska State and Federal Courts that same year. Focusing on Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability and Workers’ Compensation cases. Steve has served as a board member of the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys and was President of that organization in 2000. 

Steve was elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 2006, 2010, and 2018, serving 12 years in all. During his time as a senator, he was elected Chair of the Judiciary Committee as well as Business and Labor Committees and served on the Legislature’s Executive Board.

Steve served as a state senator from 2007-2014 and 2019-2022. He has been the Chair of the Judiciary Committee for the last four years.

Bar Admissions:

  • Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court District of Nebraska
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit

Professional Associations and Memberships:

  • Omaha Bar Association
  • Nebraska State Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice
  • Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
  • Chair of the Judiciary Committee

Awards

  • AV Preeminent award from Lawyers.com
  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 – Civil Plaintiff

Education:

  • Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska, 1981
    Doctor of Jurisprudence
  • Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 1979
    B.S.B.A.

Areas of Practice:

Steve in the community
Steve’s Personal Approach to Client Care

“The emotional toll of fighting back to claim what you should be awarded can be daunting, and a big part of providing legal service comes down to reassuring people it’s going to be okay, we’re going to find a way, and this is all going to work out in the end,” explained Steve. “Clients worry about how they’re going to pay the bills, not just the medical bills, but how are they going to make the rent. Empathy matters a lot and combined with the skill to get a result that helps, a good lawyer can do more than just win a case, a good lawyer can help to restore the balance in a client’s life.”

“Nobody ever wants to see people suffering, which is why I get the most satisfaction out of helping people that have had catastrophic injuries. Severe injuries do a lot of damage to the person who has been injured and to their families as well. Helping clients navigate their way through an emotional crisis, a financial crisis, and a legal battle that are all taking place at the same time is something that lets me put my extensive legal experience to work in the best ways possible.”

“Having a background as a trial lawyer is very important in helping people,” Steve explained. “Most people don’t want to go to trial. I understand that, but being able to avoid trials often requires the help of a lawyer who will go to trial confidently when necessary. I think my background in trying a lot of cases early on, knowing how to litigate a lawsuit – that’s the kind of background you need to get each client the compensation they deserve. That tenacity and the compassion to care about each client as an individual person are the two most important things to being a successful attorney. I think that second part comes naturally to any good person, the first part is a matter of study, hard work, and real world experience.”

Steve has built an enduring legacy on the legislative side of Nebraska’s law as well, having served as a state Senator for the Omaha-based 12th Legislative District (2007-2014 and 2019-2022). “What I think is interesting about the time I spent in the legislature, is that it was an extension of my service as a lawyer,” said Steve. “The things that were important to me when the legislature was making policies that govern working people, are the same things that matter to the people I represent here. I understand what it’s like to not have health insurance but to need care, what it’s like to be hurt and need workers’ comp benefits – making sure access to those things is always protected has been a primary focus of mine, locally as a legislator, and individually as an attorney at the firm practicing law for nearly four decades.” 

“From my point of view Steve is the perfect attorney,” said Tim O’Brien. “His legal expertise and legislative experience are well known, but what many people don’t know is that he is one of nine siblings, and four of them are attorneys. That background makes him exceptional at building consensus, sharing a common vision with everyone at the firm, and fostering the kind of cooperative culture that makes Hauptman O’Brien Wolf & Lathrop such a rewarding environment for our staff and our clients.”

Hear from Steve's clients

“I had a wonderful experience with this office! The staff are always very nice and eager to help. My lawyer, Steve Lathrop, went above and beyond my expectations on my daughter’s case. I have only great things to say about him. I never had to wait for a call back, I never had to ask what something means because he was so quick to explain and answer my questions. I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone.”

– Jordan M. Tolstedt

Client Testimonials

4.9 rating of 606 reviews
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Kaylor Keltner avatar

Kaylor Keltner

22 hours ago

Thank you all so much for taking care of my wife and I. At a huge transition period in our life David, Desirae, and Lori took care of everything that I did not have the bandwidth for. Without your expertise I would have definitely missed stuff and come out of pocket for it. Yall made the process easy to understand and navigate and while I hope I dont need your services again I would 100% recommend to a friend. 😂

Jannelle Davey avatar

Jannelle Davey

1 day ago

Working with Jeremy and Nicole was an exceptional experience. They were incredibly professional and warm throughout the process, making me feel genuinely cared for. Their communication was outstanding; they consistently returned my calls promptly, ensuring I was always informed. They worked diligently and tirelessly to secure the highest possible settlement for my claim. I highly recommend and encourage this law firm to handle anyones case.

James Uhlenkamp avatar

James Uhlenkamp

6 days ago

My experience with Hauptman O'Brien and their team of experts was every bit as wonderful as I would have hoped for! They kept my needs at heart all the way! They were super fast and the end result met every expectation! Thank you, team O'Brien, from the heart! Jim U.

Carson OConnor avatar

Carson OConnor

9 days ago

Had a great experience with Hauptman O’Brien! David O'Neill and his team made the process smooth and seamless, took care of all the paperwork related to medical expenses resulting from my claim, and were very helpful and responsive throughout the whole process. They secured a very fair settlement for me, and I’m grateful for all the work they did on my case. Thank you to David, Desirea, and Lori for all the help!

Ron Beberniss avatar

Ron Beberniss

14 days ago

David was extremely detail oriented and responsive. We always knew where the case stood and were pleased with the outcome.

Julie avatar

Julie

16 days ago

Everyone worked hard to resolve my case. My team was professional, courteous, and so kind to me. They kept me well informed throughout the process, and they were always very timely with their responses to any questions I had. I would highly recommend these fine folks. It was a pleasure to work with them.

Bryan Mattox avatar

Bryan Mattox

20 days ago

Tim O'Brien was prompt when I initially reached out to this firm. There was never any nonsense or unnecessary communication. When my case settled I was contacted and got in right away to finish our business. It was a pleasure working with Tim O'Brien & his staff!

Brandon Cruz avatar

Brandon Cruz

21 days ago

Jeremy Elliot, Nicole Kays, and their team were very helpful, thorough, and understanding in helping me reach a settlement after I was injured in a car accident. I valued their communication and advice throughout the process, and I recommend them highly to anyone.

Derek Simonson avatar

Derek Simonson

22 days ago

I suffered severe injuries in an auto accident in May of 2025. I chose Mr. Cripe to represent me and pursue liability compensation against the at-fault driver and their insurance carrier. After a very tedious but thorough process we were able to secure substantial damages which is more than normally expected. I have nothing but kind words to say about Mr. Cripe. Throughout this ordeal he was very supportive, informative and always asked for my opinion on the given situation. I would choose Mr. Cripe without a doubt if the situation should ever arise again where I need legal counsel.

Marisa Cohn avatar

Marisa Cohn

1 month ago

I would like to send a huge THANK YOU to David O'Neal and everyone at Hauptman O'brien. They were so wonderful to work with. They went above and beyond with helping me through my accident and navigating medical. I highly recommend hiring David for your personal injury needs. You cannot go wrong.

Reginald B York IV avatar

Reginald B York IV

1 month ago

As a college educated working professional, I never wanted or thought I or my family would need the services of a personal injury attorney. When someone in our immediate family was involved in an accident, my wife and I thought we could navigate the insurance process on our own, (after all we weren’t looking to profit from it). We quickly realized the process has become complicated and can turn into a full time job, costing our family in ways we never even dreamed. While I pray we never find ourselves in a situation to need their services again. David will be my first call. Everyone from top to bottom was patient and understanding. They walked us through the process and advised us along the way, filling in the gaps that hospitals, insurance companies and representatives failed to provide. Thanks to David and his wonderful team our family was able to focus on the emotional and physical healing while they found resolution and we were able to move on.

Chris M avatar

Chris M

1 month ago

David and his team were great and made the whole process seamless. Would highly recommend them to anyone seeking a personal injury lawyer.

Della Farris avatar

Della Farris

1 month ago

Choosing Hauptman ,O'Brien , Wolf & Lathrop for my personal injury lawsuit, was one of my better decisions . They were always available & considerate to us . We were kept updated & informed all the way through . Jeremy & Nicole were awesome.. I would highly recommend.

Paulette Henderson avatar

Paulette Henderson

1 month ago

David O’Neill, Jody Bowman & Desiree at the Bellevue Nebraska location were amazing! They explained things thoroughly, It was easy to communicate with them. They outlined exactly the documentation that was needed. They helped us through every step of the process and kept us informed of the progress. It was a pleasure working with them, and we are extremely satisfied with the outcome. I highly recommend them, they are professional, knowledgeable and handle every aspect with efficiency.

Linda C avatar

Linda C

1 month ago

A little over 2 yrs ago I walked through the doors @ Hauptman O’Brian Wolf & Lathrop, a little nervous and a little scared. I was in a car accident on the interstate, my car was totaled and I’m thankful to be here. With their help and reassurance that everything will be fine. And it is. Jeremiah Elliott and his fantastic staff kept me well informed through out the process. It took patients on my part and time to heal too. They were always there to answer my question and so kind. I would recommend their legal service’s for any type of situation you might be in. It will only take a little time to tell your story or situation and listen to what they say. They are there to help you through the legal process and protect you. I will say I’m grateful for their compassion and knowledge of the legal process. I couldn’t do it without them. Thanks to them my case was successful.

Dan Aitken avatar

Dan Aitken

1 month ago

Fortunately I haven’t required their legal services, but I have made use of their “Safe Ride Home” program. I feel safer knowing that this service is available for everyone, not just clients, during the holidays.

Connor Villen avatar

Connor Villen

2 months ago

First time getting into a motor vehicle accident and the team was really helpful during this process. The piece that made me feel better to work with the Hauptman Bellevue office was that they were always asking how I was doing. The office really ensured my health and recovery was the priority. They made me comfortable throughout the whole process, and would recommend anyone in a motor vehicle accident to reach out to this office. Thank you all!

Hannah Miller avatar

Hannah Miller

2 months ago

Fantastic job!! I am so grateful they kept me updated through every step of the process. Thank you so much!

Tiera Robinette avatar

Tiera Robinette

2 months ago

Was a pleasure working with the team. They really fought for us

Michael Ciaccio avatar

Michael Ciaccio

2 months ago

Great communication and amazing work this group did with my settlement

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