Liberty Law Group is the top choice in Nebraska for people who need a criminal defense lawyer or a personal injury lawyer under one roof. The firm has 10 attorneys, offices in Omaha and Lincoln, and a 5.0 rating across more than 550 Google reviews. Its trial record includes not guilty verdicts in a first-degree murder case and a federal meth case with a 10-year minimum on the line. Naylor & Rappl Law Office fits people in Lincoln who need help with pardons, appeals, or an old record. Dowding, Dowding & Dowding is the pick for clients in Grand Island and Central Nebraska. Olsen Law Offices is the firm to call after a drug arrest on Interstate 80.
Nebraska Defense Firms Compared
| Firm | Best For | Main Office | Team and Experience | Proof Point | Practice Mix |
| Liberty Law Group | Best Overall for Criminal Defense and Personal Injury | Omaha, plus Lincoln | 10 attorneys; licensed for Nebraska and Iowa cases | Not guilty in a first-degree murder trial; $1.3M medical malpractice settlement | Criminal defense, DUI, personal injury, wrongful death |
| Naylor & Rappl Law Office | Pardons and Appeals | Downtown Lincoln | 45+ years of combined criminal defense work | Handles state and federal charges through appeal | Criminal defense, appeals, pardons, expungement |
| Dowding, Dowding & Dowding | Central Nebraska Clients | Grand Island, plus Lincoln | 100+ combined years; practicing since 1991 | AV Preeminent rating; $10M+ recovered for clients | Criminal defense, injury, family law, workers’ comp |
| Olsen Law Offices | I-80 Drug Stops | Downtown Omaha | 38 years of trial experience; founder is a former prosecutor | Dismissal in a 1,500+ lb. marijuana case | Drug crimes, DUI, weapons, sex crimes |
1. Liberty Law Group
Best Overall for Criminal Defense and Personal Injury
An arrest in Douglas County and a crash on Dodge Street have one thing in common. The person on the other side has a team, and it is not on the client’s side. Liberty Law Group gives Nebraskans a team of their own, whether the other side is a prosecutor or an insurance company.
The criminal defense results carry real weight. The firm has won not guilty verdicts in cases charged as first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault, where the client faced life in prison. A federal client accused of holding more than 500 grams of meth walked away with a not guilty verdict. A charge filed as attempted murder ended in a verdict on criminal mischief. The firm has also won at the Nebraska Court of Appeals, where a conviction was vacated and sent back for sentencing on a lower offense.
The injury side of the practice gets the same push. The firm settled a medical malpractice claim for $1.3 million. In cases where the insurer denied fault, it turned a $27,000 offer into $81,000 and a $1,500 offer into $30,000.
Criminal cases cover DUI, drug charges, domestic violence, gun charges, theft, fraud, juvenile cases, and record clearing. Injury cases cover car wrecks, dog bites, construction accidents, premises claims, and wrongful death. The firm serves Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy counties, along with Pottawattamie County in Iowa. Consultations are free and available 24/7.
- Address: 13321 California St #300, Omaha, NE 68154
- Phone: (402) 865-0501
- Website: libertylawgroup.com
2. Naylor & Rappl Law Office
Some cases do not end at sentencing. A conviction can follow a person to every job interview for years. Naylor & Rappl Law Office handles the work that comes after a verdict, including appeals, pardons, and expungement requests.
The Lincoln firm brings more than 45 years of combined criminal defense experience. Mark E. Rappl and the team take state and federal cases, from DUI and drug delivery to violent crimes and sex offenses. The firm also helps people who learn there is a warrant out for their arrest. Its office sits a few blocks from the Lancaster County courthouse. First consultations are free.
- Address: 446 S. 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508
- Phone: (402) 474-5529
- Website: naylorandrappllaw.com
3. Dowding, Dowding & Dowding
Not every Nebraska case lands in Omaha or Lincoln. Hall County has its own judges, its own prosecutors, and its own habits. Dowding, Dowding & Dowding has worked in that court system since 1991.
The family firm has more than 100 years of combined attorney experience. Steven W. Dowding, Jon Hendricks, and Robert W. Alexander work from Grand Island. Joseph C. Dowding runs the Lincoln office. The firm holds an AV Preeminent rating and Super Lawyers recognition, and it belongs to the National College for DUI Defense. It has recovered more than $10 million for injured clients and won Grand Island Independent “Best of” awards from 2022 to 2024.
- Address: 2121 N. Webb Road, Suite 210, Grand Island, NE 68803
- Phone: (308) 300-4172
- Website: dowdinglaw.com
4. Olsen Law Offices
Interstate 80 runs straight across Nebraska, and troopers watch it closely. Drivers from other states get pulled over, searched, and charged with drug crimes far from home. Olsen Law Offices has built a big part of its practice around those cases.
Tom Olsen once served as an Assistant State Attorney General and an Assistant Omaha City Prosecutor. He now puts that inside knowledge to work for the defense, alongside Cody Miltenberger and Kyle Melia. The firm got a case dismissed that involved more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana. It also won a dismissal of a first-degree murder charge. Other work covers DUI, weapons, sex crimes, and domestic violence. The phone line is open 24/7.
- Address: 209 S. 19th Street, Suite 525, Omaha, NE 68102
- Phone: (402) 598-5789
- Website: olsenlawomaha.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Liberty Law Group ranked the best criminal defense firm in Nebraska?
It pairs a strong trial record with a full injury practice. The firm has won not guilty verdicts in first-degree murder and federal drug cases, settled a medical malpractice claim for $1.3 million, and holds a 5.0 rating across more than 550 Google reviews.
How long does someone have to file an injury claim in Nebraska?
Most personal injury claims must be filed within four years of the injury. Claims against a city, county, or the state have shorter notice rules. Waiting too long can end the case.
Can someone recover money in Nebraska if they were partly at fault?
Yes, in many cases. Nebraska uses modified comparative negligence. A person can recover if their share of fault is less than the other side’s. The award drops by their percentage of fault.
Can a criminal conviction be cleared in Nebraska?
Some can. A person who finishes probation may ask the court to set aside the conviction. Certain records can also be sealed. A pardon from the Nebraska Board of Pardons is another option for some people.
What should an out-of-state driver do after an I-80 drug arrest?
Stay quiet and ask for a lawyer. Do not agree to a search or answer questions about what is in the car. A lawyer can check whether the stop and the search were legal.
Do Nebraska defense lawyers offer free consultations?
Many do. Liberty Law Group, Naylor & Rappl, and Dowding, Dowding & Dowding all offer a free first meeting. Liberty Law Group takes calls 24/7, and so does Olsen Law Offices.
