In keeping with National Law Day’s theme, “The American Dream,” here is one family fulfilling the ideals our Forefathers envisioned, helping make life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – even more attainable for others, by defending our Constitutional rights.

One could say it’s all in the family for this multi-generation of Omaha lawyers, who epitomize The American Dream – to be all you can be – regardless of station in life.

But like many who have come before them, they live by the oft-quoted creed, that success is not necessarily measured in material wealth, but by how they enrich society, evidenced by the work they do, even beyond their chosen careers.

Meet the Pallesens, excelling in a profession that makes life more just and fair, not only for the well-heeled or connected, but for the disadvantaged, coming from backgrounds of more humble means.

 

Kathleen Spethman Pallesen

The legacy continues …

“Accomplished legal practitioner and proven community advocate with over 35 years of government, private practice and community volunteer experience, and a career long involvement in matters impacting youth in our community. Significant experience working closely with mental health-care professionals, attorneys, judges, and C-suite corporate leaders,” her professional profile reads.

Which could be one aspect of “The American Dream,” the theme of this year’s National Law Day celebration – the unbridled pursuit of excellence, no matter your career.

A member of the Judicial Nominating Committee for the Douglas County District Court Bench and the Douglas County Bench, Nebraska attorney Kathleen Spethman Pallesen currently serves as president of the Omaha Bar Association – just to mention a few of her decades-long accomplishments, community betterment and professional endeavors.

And, in this case – yet another aspect of The American Dream – free to raise a family.

A third-generation lawyer, Pallesen is the granddaughter of Martin J. Holbrook, a 1932 Creighton Law School graduate, who practiced in-house with the Union Pacific Railroad.

Her father, Judge Richard J. Spethman, was a 1962 Creighton Law School graduate, a solo practitioner for many years, before being appointed to the Douglas County District Court by then Gov. Ben Nelson. While in private practice, he served on the OBA Executive Committee, like his daughter, the Douglas County Board of Mental Health and as an Acting Municipal Court Judge, she said.

Owner of Spethman Pallesen Law Offices, LLC, the Omaha native started the firm in 2013 with her father, who came out of retirement and renewed his bar license at age 79.

But the legacy doesn’t stop there…

“My husband (Mike) is an attorney, as are two of my brothers-in-law. I have a few cousins, who are attorneys and two daughters! Family meals are a lot of fun!” she exclaimed.

Passing along their strong work ethic, the couple’s son works in finance in Chicago and another daughter is a third-year med student at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.

Admitted to practice in Nebraska, as well as the District Court of the District of Nebraska, Pallesen graduated from St. Edwards University, magna cum laude, in 1988, and received her law degree in 1991 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

She started her legal career in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide to Congressman Peter Hoagland. After moving back to Omaha in 1995, she began work at the Douglas County Attorney's Office, prosecuting adult drug felony cases.

As an attorney in the County’s Juvenile Division, Pallesen created the "Termination Unit," where she exclusively filed and adjudicated all the termination of parental rights cases, due to the backlog of children languishing in the Omaha foster care, according to her bio.

Over the years, she has accumulated a vast resume of community activism, as well as continuing educational pursuits, running the gamut from “Complex Issues In Juvenile Court Practice” to “Elder Law Immersion Camp” and “Estate Life Counseling for the 21st Century: Veterans, Military Service Members and Families.”

Or, in one colleague’s summation …

“Kathleen Pallesen is a passionate attorney who finds fulfillment by helping people in times of legal crisis. With an extensive legal background in juvenile and guardianship issues, Kathleen has found that her greatest strength revolves around her ability to help those in need. She knows, instinctively, how to make connections with people and how to help them formulate a solution to their problems. Kathleen has the ability to think outside the box to craft solutions tailored for her individual clients.”

In addition to OBA, her professional affiliations, past and present, include:

Nebraska State Bar Association presenter, Ethics; Mental Health Diversion Committee, Juvenile Court; Unified Family Court Committee, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) training speaker, Omaha Estate Planning Council, Midlands Elder Network, member and Magdalene Force (to combat sex trafficking) members, and Mid-America Council, Boy Scout of America Juvenile Diversion Board.

As a community volunteer, she has served in various leadership roles and capacities, including the University of Nebraska, Board of Trustees; MarianFest, co-chair, oral auction; Dundee Dance Club, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Home & School Board, secretary, youth sports coach; Creighton Prep BASH, co-chair; Kicks for a (Cancer) Cure, advisor, co-chair, funding-raising; Fontenelle Forest Nature Association Guild, Aksarben Women's Ball and the Opera Omaha Cotillion committees.

Here’s how her legacy continues …

Q. Why Did You Choose To Be A Lawyer:

A. I knew from a very young age I wanted to be an attorney. My dad used to take my two sisters and I to his office on Saturday mornings while he worked. We would go to breakfast at Northrup Jones where my dad would meet with Judge James Buckley, Judge Fred Montag or any attorney there for breakfast.

Q. What Or Who Was Your Inspiration:

A. The experience going to the office with my dad inspired my desire to be an attorney. During college summer and Christmas breaks I worked at the Douglas County Public Defender’s Office. Those years solidified my desire to be an attorney and be at the courthouse. I would spend time watching trials in between being a “runner”. That was before computers so I would go to each and every courtroom to deliver discovery or photocopy cases. I would greet clients and answer the phones. It was the best education!

Q. What Continues To Motivate You:

A. The work, the camaraderie at the courthouse, and my own adult children.

Q. What Type Of Law Did You Specialize In:

A. Probate, Estate Planning, Guardianships, Juvenile Law and Guardian ad Litem work in Juvenile, County and District Court.

Q. If Nonprofit Or Doing Pro Bono, Why Did You Pick That Field:

A. I like being a solo practitioner so I can do pro bono work, particularly for the elderly and disabled.

Q. The Importance Of Lawyers To Society:

A. To hopefully have some sense of order in the world.

Q. What Are The Rewards Of The Job:

A. Helping people who are not familiar nor have been exposed to the legal process in their lives.

Q. What Are The Biggest Challenges:

A. E-mails!

Q. What Makes You Proud/Gives You Sense Of Satisfaction:

A. Helping a family,

Q. When The Going Gets Tough …

A. You keep going and vent to your colleagues!

Q. What Is Among Your Proudest Moment And/Or Accomplishment:

A. My first argument in front of the Court of Appeals in 1996. It was the only time my mom came to court to observe. She was so nervous, and said, “Don’t ever invite me to one of these again!”

Q. Any Honors, Awards Or Publications, Etc:

A. Early in my career I published an article in the Nebraska Medical Journal. “The Healthcare Quality Improvement Act.”

Q. Best Advice To New Lawyers:

A. Ask questions; go to events in person; don’t hide behind your computer.

Q. Best Advice To People Seeking Legal Counsel:

A. Tell your attorney all the facts, whether you think they are relevant or not. Let your attorney decide.

Q. After A Hard Day In Court/With Client, How Do You Unwind:

A. Go to yoga, walk, meet with friends.

Q. If You Could Change One Or More Things About Your Profession:

A. People put things in e-mails that they would never say in person; more collaboration.

Q. Should A President Be Above The Law In Terms Of Immunity:

A. No.

Q. Do You See Issues With Our Election System, I.e. Fraud.

A. No we have one of the best systems in the world.

Q. What Would You Tell Your Younger Self:

A. Slow down; listen more.

Q. What Does Your Role Of Oba President Entail:

A. Preside at meetings and events; help lead OBA efforts/events.

Q. Thoughts On The OBA 150th Celebration:

A. It has been an exciting and eventful year. As a third-generation Omaha lawyer, and mom to two fourth-generation lawyers, being part of this heritage is quite meaningful.

Q. Importance Of The OBA:

A. I think it provides a much-needed social outlet for attorneys of all ages.

Q. Why Get Involved In OBA:

A. Great way to meet and establish relationships with others in the Omaha legal community; free continuing legal education; work with other attorneys.

• • • •

For more than 65 years, the Omaha Bar Association has celebrated Law Day with a themed luncheon, noted speaker and a host of other special events, including professional and public service awards, various other recognitions, student poster and essay contests, as well as mock trials with metro-area schools.

A nationally recognized day set aside to celebrate the Rule of Law, Law Day underscores how law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share. Law Day also provides an opportunity to recognize the role of courts in this democracy and the importance of jury service to maintaining the integrity of the courts, according to the OBA.

Previously known as the Douglas County Bar Association since 1875, the Omaha Bar Association was incorporated in 1889 to promote the administration of justice and uphold the honor and integrity of the profession of law in Omaha. The purpose is to increase the usefulness, activity, professionalism and influence of the bar and the legal profession, according to its website.

To commemorate its 150th anniversary, the OBA will publish a history of the OBA, featuring stories from within the legal community, in the coming months.

To learn more, please visit their website at www.omahabarassociation.com.

American Dream Put Into Practice

Katie L. Kalkowski / Lawyer Profile

Need bona fide proof the “American Dream,” theme of this year’s National Law Day, still exists. Take the case of Katie L. Kalkowski – as evidence.

This fourth-generation attorney has always dreamed of becoming a lawyer, ever since she was a young child, witnessing family members, help wield the powers of justice.

An attorney at Baird Holm LLP, Kalkowski is the daughter of Michael C. Pallesen and Kathleen Spethman Pallesen, currently serving as President of the Omaha Bar Association, which each year holds a series of local Law Day events, celebrations and recognitions.

Kalkowski graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2022, cum laude. While in school, she was a managing, senior editor of the “Law Review,” published five times a year, featuring articles, notes, and comments from esteemed judges, professors, and practitioners, consistently ranking as a top legal journal.

A member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, she was also awarded the Faculty Award in Legal Research and Writing II: Moot Court. Prior to law school, Kalkowski graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2019, with high distinction, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History, according to her bio.

Upon graduation, Kalkowski wrote how she “welcomes the honor and challenge” of living up to her family’s legacy.

Following in their hallowed footsteps, she is already well on her way …

The young attorney has been selected by her peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch® for Corporate Law.”

The married mother of one is also active in the firm’s Emerging Businesses group and the Omaha startup community, and regularly attends 1 Million Cups Omaha, a gathering for entrepreneurs, where the firm hosts weekly Legal Office Hours.

The following is a testament to her dream fulfilled …

Q: Why Did You Choose To Be A Lawyer:

A: I’ve always loved American history, reading, and writing, so the legal profession felt like a natural fit from an early age. More than anything, I wanted to do work that required careful thinking, creativity, and judgment, and that helped people navigate complex or difficult situations. Law combines intellectual challenge with real-world impact, and that balance is what ultimately drew me to the profession.

Q: As A Child Want Did You Want To Be:

A: I always wanted to be a lawyer. When I was about eight years old, my Girl Scout troop visited the Douglas County Courthouse and watched my grandfather, Judge Richard J. Spethman, preside over proceedings. Seeing him on the bench made a lasting impression on me. From that day forward, I knew I wanted to follow a path in the law.

Q: What Or Who Was Your Inspiration:

A: I grew up surrounded by the law. Both of my grandfathers were lawyers, and both of my parents are lawyers as well. Watching the profession practiced across generations showed me early on the importance of integrity, preparation, and judgment. Seeing the law used thoughtfully, as a tool for fairness and problem solving, was a powerful influence on me.

Q: What Continues To Motivate You:

A: My son. He’s one of the reasons I want to work hard, lead with integrity, and contribute in a way that makes the world a little more fair and stable for the next generation. I want him to be proud not just of what I do, but how I do it.

Q: What Type Of Law Did You Specialize In:

A: My practice centers on corporate transactions and general corporate matters. I’ll counsel both for profit and nonprofit entities of all sizes on a variety of matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, strategic transactions, and regulatory compliance.

Q: Describe The Organization You Work For, Your Role There:

A: Baird Holm has a team of over 100 attorneys where we leverage each other’s skills to respond efficiently to our clients’ local, regional, national and international legal needs. We represent public and private companies, individuals, private funds and other investors, financial institutions, governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. I work specifically within our corporate team. It’s challenging, fast-paced, and rewarding.

Q: The Importance Of Lawyers To Society:

A: Lawyers play a critical role in helping people and institutions navigate complex rules and responsibilities. At their best, they protect fairness, ensure accountability, foster meaningful partnerships, and help resolve conflict in an orderly way.

Q: What Are The Rewards Of The Job:

A: The moments when something clicks, like when a client understands their options, when a deal closes, when a problem is resolved cleanly, or when a local business or nonprofit succeeds. Seeing the tangible impact of careful work is incredibly satisfying.

Q: What Are The Biggest Challenges:

A: The stakes. Clients come to lawyers during pivotal moments, often under stress. Balancing urgency with precision can be demanding, but it’s also what makes the work meaningful.

Q: What Makes You Proud/Gives You A Sense Of Satisfaction:

A: Doing right by people. Being prepared. Holding myself to a high standard even when no one is watching. Quiet competence matters to me.

Q: What Is Among Your Proudest Moment And/Or Accomplishment:

A: I am most proud to be mom to Charlie and spouse to Logan. I am a proud Notre Dame Law grad (and Nebraska undergrad). I am also a proud marathon finisher!

Q: Best Advice To New Lawyers:

A: Be curious. Ask questions. Read carefully. Take responsibility early.

Q: Best Advice To People Seeking Legal Counsel:

A: Ask questions until you’re comfortable. A good lawyer should be able to explain things clearly, not just impress you with jargon.

Q: After A Hard Day In Court/With Client, How Do You Unwind:

A: Spending time with people I love, exercising, reading, or just laughing. Perspective matters.

Q: Any Outside Interests, Hobbies, Hidden Talents:

A: I’m an avid reader, especially when it comes to history and politics, and I enjoy staying active as a way to clear my head.

Q: Should The Supreme Court Be Expanded:

A: Structural reforms should be approached with caution and good faith. The legitimacy of institutions matters, and any changes should strengthen trust rather than deepen division.

Q: Do You See Issues With Our Election System, i.e. Fraud:

A: No.

Q: Best Ways To Safeguard Democracy, Uphold The Constitution:

A: Separation of powers, an informed electorate, and active participation. Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Q: What’s Your Secret Sauce, So To Speak:

A: Preparation, empathy, and follow through. I care deeply about doing things well.

Military and Law A Call Of Duty

Michael C. Pallesen / Lawyer Profile

A seasoned veteran in both law and the military, who wore the uniform with immense pride, Michael Pallesen exemplifies another aspect of “The American Dream,” the freedom to rise up to meet your full potential.

His call to duty – inspired by his family, and the values instilled by the military, no doubt – compelled him to be of service to others throughout his professional career.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Nebraska and 1991 University of Nebraska College of Law, he is a senior partner with Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, LLP. Pallesen is chair of the firm's Transactional Practice Section, representing entities and individuals, including public companies, private businesses, public-private partnerships, nonprofit entities and health-care providers in business transactions, legislative matters, government relations and regulatory matters and securities offerings.

The married father of four has had over 20 years of active and reserve service as a lawyer in the U.S. Navy. He held multiple operational law, administrative law and military justice assignments, including two tours of duty with the United States Strategic Command, according to his bio.

His national, public-private partnership work includes serving as counsel to private philanthropic entities, who have partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to construct a new, ambulatory care center in Omaha, as well as a new, medical-surgical hospital in Tulsa, Okla.

A Lifetime Fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Association, achievements include Best Lawyers in America® (Corporate Law), 2018-present; the Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Chambers & Partners Publishing) (Corporate /Commercial); and Great Plains Super Lawyers (Business and Corporate), a designation of top-rated, practicing attorneys, selected through extensive evaluation.

As evidenced, law, commitment to country and service to community seem hardly out of step for this Nebraska attorney.

But as further proof, both he and his attorney wife, Kathleen, are flanked by multi-generations of family members in the legal profession, now including two daughters.

Here’s how he continues to serve…

Q. Why Did You Choose To Be A Lawyer:

A. My father was a lawyer and the most influential person in my life as a young man.

He was larger than life and a very successful lawyer in Lincoln. He did not come from a professional family but was self-made. My maternal grandmother was also a big inspiration. She was a farm woman, who lost her husband unexpectedly in her mid-40s, but proceeded to make a life for herself as a small-businesswoman (nursing homes) and farm operator. She put her two daughters through nursing school and college.

Q. As A Child, What Did You Want To Be:

A. A garbage man. Seriously.

Q. What Makes You Most Proud:

A. I am most proud to be Kathleen’s husband and father to Katie (father-in-law to Logan), Michael, Libby and Maggie, and grandfather to Charlie. Kathleen is also an inspiration. We met as first-year law students at Nebraska Law. She was an impressively fast reader! Being a working mom/lawyer is tough. She did that for many years, took some time to raise our kids, then returned to the profession and has a very successful, solo practice. She personifies hard work, dedication and resilience.

Q. What Type Of Law Did You Specialize In:

A. I joined the Navy JAG Corps in law school and went on extended active duty after passing the bar. I primarily litigated courts-martial, both as a prosecutor and appellate defense counsel during my four years of active duty. After leaving active duty, I practiced as a litigator for several years, but fairly quickly made the move into corporate and transactional practice, which has been the vast majority of my career. I stayed in the Naval Reserve for another 19 years, retiring in July 2014. During that time, I served in military justice and operational law assignments, including two tours at US STRATCOM.

Q. Describe The Organization You Work For:

A. Cline Williams traces its lineage to 1857 and Turner Marquette, the first practicing lawyer in the Nebraska Territory, whose office was in Plattsmouth. Since that time, our partnership has developed into a regional firm with more than 60 lawyers and offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Aurora, Neb., as well as Fort Collins and Holyoke, Colo. I am the Chair of the Transactional Section, a member of the Executive Committee and a co-Financial Officer of the firm.

Q. What Makes You Proud/Gives You A Sense Of Satisfaction:

A. I take pride in being from a family of lawyers … extended family, even. I take pride in being a “trusted advisor” to my clients in many aspects of their business and personal lives, which sometimes involves being consulted on questions outside of the law.

And, I must say, that the old John F. Kennedy quote has stuck with me for many years: “I can imagine no more rewarding a career, and any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.’”

Q. When The Going Gets Tough …

A. I have told my kids, sometimes you just have to fix your bayonet and charge the enemy!

Q. What Is Among Your Proudest Moment And/Or Accomplishment:

A. I have had many satisfying practice moments working with clients in personal and/or business situations. Helping people solve what are often the most important issues in their personal and/or business lives brings tremendous satisfaction. I must say, though, that serving as counsel to the private side of the public-private partnership that helped design and construct the new Veterans Administration Ambulatory Care Center was a particularly proud accomplishment. Having the chance to work with civic leaders, such as Sue Morris, Dr. Jeff Gold and the late Walter Scott and the late Mike Yanney, on a project serving our veterans was truly a career highlight. I also think back many years to my time in the Navy and the tremendous pride that came with wearing the uniform of my country.

Q. If You Could Change One Or More Things About Your Profession:

A. I feel at times that our commitment to professionalism is slipping. We need to understand the responsibility that comes with being a lawyer, and that this is an honored profession worthy of respect and conduct ourselves accordingly.