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Kathleen opened Spethman Pallesen Law Offices in 2013 with her father, the late Richard J. Spethman, a long-time private practice attorney and Douglas County District Court Judge. A third generation Omaha attorney, Kathleen prides herself on her relationships and connections in and around the Omaha community. 

Kathleen’s practice focuses on civil litigation, adult guardianship and conservatorship cases, probate, adult guardian ad litem appointments, adoption, and elder law issues including Medicaid asset protection, caregiver agreements and Medicaid spenddown cases. She has handled administrative appeals including Social Security and those involving the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Kathleen crafts unique solutions for her clients. Every family, every situation, every detail can be different. 

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Kathleen started her legal career as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C.  She returned to Omaha 24 years ago to serve as a Deputy Douglas County Attorney where she prosecuted felony narcotics cases, delinquency, child abuse and neglect and termination of parental rights cases.  After leaving the County Attorney’s Office for part-time private practice she remained involved in work on behalf of children and families.

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Kathleen has accumulated a long resume of community involvement, including being a board member of the Boy Scout Mid-America Council Juvenile Diversion Committee, youth sports coach for St. Robert Bellarmine and Toro Soccer Club, Women’s Guild Circle President and 23 year member of the Martha’s Committee for St. Robert Bellarmine Church.  She is a past member of the Fontenelle Forest Guild, Co-Chair of Kicks for a Cure and a former member of the Aksarben Women’s Ball Committee. Kathleen has devoted her entire legal career to the best interests and needs of children and families in Douglas County.

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When not at work Kathleen keeps busy with her husband Mike and four children traveling to visit them at graduate school, college and everywhere in between.  An avid Husker fan, she attends most home games.