Steve Lathrop | Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, P.C.

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

Send Steve A Message
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Client Testimonials

Total reviews: 410 |

Average rating: 4.9

5

Timothy O’Brien and his team took care of my daughter ..They treated us with Respect, Compassion, like family…
May God continue to bless you all.
The Quintana family ❤️

5

They took the time to explain how it works on an accident claim and they got us every penny available. We don’t owe $700k in hospital bills and we were able to get a good vehicle. They did good for what there was to work with. Hopefully never have to go through this again but if we do, you can bet that I’ll go back to them!! Thank you to Mr Elliot and team!!

5

I’m very thankful for Hauptman O’Brien, Mr Elliott put in the effort for our case. And the results show how much they are for us. All we can say is thank you and God Bless You. We’re blessed with the outcome. Much appreciated

5

David O’Neill and his team really helped me out in a bad situation! They made the process of getting my settlement easy, and did all of the work for me! I would recommend Hauptman, O’Brien Personal Injury Lawyers to anyone I know, and even to those who I don’t know!

5

Having David O’Neill and his team by my side after a major car accident was a huge blessing! We had mountains of doctor bills piling up and I did not truly knowing how to navigate all that on my own. It was so easy to hand everything over to them and not have to worry about that. Having to deal with the months of PT for all of us and surgery after was stressful enough. In the end, I walked away very happy that I chose to go with David O Neill to represent us.

5

I experienced a situation that resulted in a personal injury, and I didn’t hesitate to contact Kyle McGinn with Hauptman, O’Brien. He was extremely knowledgeable and explained precisely what I needed to to and what to expect. He was patient and professional, and I would 10/10 recommend!

5

Many thanks to Tim O’Brian, who helped me get a settlement for a dog bite, much more than I expected. KO

5

Tim O’Brien took all the worries with dealing with insurance companies.

5

It started with my original well know lawyer in Omaha past away while my case was just starting off. So I contacted Tim Obrien , he was busy and I left a msg for him . I would then say within 24 to 48 hours Tim himself called me and we spoke minor details about the case. So we decided together to set up a meeting with Mr Obrien.. upon meeting with Tim Obrien I decided to have handle the case and it was the best decision I have made.. Tim Obrien was very thorough and was very prompt to update me on the case regularly. I was pleased with the final outcome and highly would recommend him for your personal injury needs thank you to his law firm for everything that he’s done for our family.

5

Dave and Donna with Hauptman O’Brien were phenomenal to work with. They made what would’ve been a stressful process, so smooth and stress-free. They both worked tirelessly, were consistent with communication, and took care of all the brunt work to ensure I received what I deserved from my settlement after a car accident.

It Doesn't Cost You Anything to Talk to an Attorney
No Attorney Fees Unless You Win
Do You Have a Case?
Back To Top