Tanya J. Hansen

Tanya J. Hansen, a partner at Smith Johnson, is a seasoned attorney with substantial litigation experience. Tanya is an accomplished civil litigation attorney. She is a results-oriented individual and works well in fast-paced litigation environments. She handles claims on behalf of multiple insurance carriers as well as business entities and individuals.
 

Tanya has a strong background in the areas of auto liability, premises liability, commercial litigation, and employment litigation. She has a proven ability to manage a caseload from inception through conclusion. She formulates short and long-term strategies, communicates values, and drives critical decisions to meet or exceed stated objectives.

In addition to her civil litigation practice, Tanya helps employers of various sizes, in a variety of industries to create and implement employment-related practices that are legally compliant and that advance the client's business objectives. Tanya prides herself on delivering prompt advice to management that is practical and tailored to each client's unique work environment and management ethos. Her advice is guided by her deep knowledge of relevant employment laws and her willingness to learn about each employer's unique work environment and culture.

Tanya represents employers in employment-related litigation in state and federal courts, at arbitration, and before administrative agencies, and she designs and delivers workplace training programs on an array of topics, including anti-harassment training. She drafts and negotiates all manner of personnel-related agreements, including employment and consulting agreements, separation agreements, and settlement agreements. Tanya also conducts sensitive investigations into complaints of alleged wrongdoing by employees and executives.

Tanya was elected in 2023 to the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only organization limited to attorneys and judges who demonstrate significant litigation experience. 

When away from the office she enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with family and friends, and being a pet mom to Patton, Atty, Harper, Quinn, Val, the fish, and the chickens. 

EDUCATION

• J.D. with distinction, University of Iowa, 2005 
• M.A. Political Science, University of Iowa, 2003 
• B.A. Political Science and International Business, Minors in Economics and Management, magna cum laude, Wichita State University, 2001 

JURISDICTIONS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

• Illinois, 2005
• Nebraska, 2006
• United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, 2006
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2006

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Insurance Defense 
• Employment Law & Litigation 
• Workers’ Compensation 
• Personal Injury

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS

• American Bar Association
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Defense Research Institute
• Hall County Bar Association 
• Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys 
• Nebraska Defense Counsel Association
• Nebraska State Bar Association

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Presentation: Creating and Implementing a Document Retention Program
• Presentation: Which Is Riskier? Hiring Criminals or Conducting Background Checks?
• Presentation: Utilizing Alternative Dispute Resolution Tactics in Employment Matters
• Presentation: White Collar Exemption to Fair Labor Standards Act
• Presentation: Ex Parte Contact with Current and Former Employees of an Opposing Corporate Party
• Presentation: Best Practices in Client Communication

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Past: Child Abuse Prevention Coalition; City of Grand Island, Food and Beverage Tax Oversight Committee; Connecting Young Nebraskans; Grand Island Public Library, President of the Board; Grand Island Public Library Foundation; Heartland United Way; Nebraska State Bar Commission, Chair; NSBA Labor & Employment Law Section, Co-Chair; NSBA Rural Practice Initiative; ServeNebraska; St. Francis Foundation; Young Professionals, Chair; and United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Federal Practice Committee.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Young Woman of Achievement, Grand Island YWCA
• Young Professional of the Year, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce
• Top 35 Under 35, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce