Chris McMahon isn’t your typical Deputy County Attorney.  He recently graduated from law school and became a Deputy County Attorney.  But he didn’t begin pursuing his law degree at Creighton University until he was 45 years old – a couple of decades after graduating with his bachelors’ degree from Midlands University.  He jokes that he’s a long-term planner.

Looking for full time legal work wasn’t even his original plan. When Chris began his legal education, he was a long-time employee of online brokerage firm TD Ameritrade. Working full time and going to school part time, he planned to use his law degree to move into a different department within the brokerage firm.

But that all changed when rival brokerage Charles Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade in 2019.  When the dust settled, Chris was given the opportunity to take an early retirement.

At first, he was not excited. He had planned to retire from TD Ameritrade. Having been employed there since the late 90’s, he had been part of the company’s explosive growth from the early stages. He was part of a team that built the first ever system to trade stocks, bonds, and mutual funds over the phone.  In fact, he himself placed that first ever trade, and holds that share of stock to this day!

However, this change was inevitable, so he decided to embrace it.  He knew he wanted to do something productive for the community. So, when he saw the job opportunity to work in the juvenile division of the county court, he jumped at the chance to apply. When interviewing with County Attorney Don Kleine, he told him he might not be the youngest attorney right out of law school, but he would work hard and do the right thing.

Chris started his position as a Deputy Attorney in the juvenile division in 2021. He explained that the juvenile division is much more focused on rehabilitation than punishment. The belief is that the earlier the intervention, the better chance of success. Thinking back on his career with investing, he said it runs a close parallel to the basic rules of investing – get in early and see bigger returns. With these youth, bigger returns are good not only for each individual, but also the entire community. More productive and happy citizens and less crime is good for everybody!

Chris doesn’t only make an impact with young people. He also works with the Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court and says this is the greatest thing he’s ever been associated with in his life. The Veterans Treatment Court combines intensive judicial supervision and treatment services to address veteran’s service-related experiences and enhance public safety by returning law abiding and productive citizens to the community.

If the veterans going through the program plead guilty, once they complete court supervised treatment, their records are sealed.

As a fourth generation Army veteran, this program is very close to Chris’ heart. During active duty, he fractured his spine, leading to some back issues today. When his son found out he was getting this job, he said, “Dad, you’re fighting crime just like Batman!”  Chris laughed and told him he was fighting crime just like Batman would if he had a bad back.

Chris has been married for 19 years and has one son.  His wife is a nursing professor at Clarkson, and his son is starting middle school this year. 

When Chris isn’t working, he and his wife both enjoy being involved with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) where their son is a member.  Recently, he combined scouting with his work when the scouts (both boys and girls these days) took a tour of the courthouse.

Judge Keim let the female scouts try on her robe and take pictures. Chris thought that was so cool, and said, “you never know, that could have been the moment one of those girls decided to become a judge.”

If you’d like to see the results of Chris’ work, there is an upcoming graduation ceremony for those who have completed the Veteran’s Treatment Court.  It’s September 1st at 2 pm on the 5th floor of the Douglas County Courthouse.  All are welcome to celebrate with the graduates.  Don Bacon, a fellow veteran, will be the keynote speaker.