Tanya J. Hansen

Tanya Hansen is a Partner at Smith Johnson where she concentrates her work on Insurance Defense and Employment Law. Ms. Hansen joined Smith Johnson in 2006 as an Associate after moving back to Central Nebraska from Washington, D.C. 

Her practice includes all aspects of insurance defense civil litigation, both state and federal, at the trial and appellate levels, with particular focus on personal injury, wrongful death, construction, product liability, bad faith, and coverage disputes. Her employment practice concentrates on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour compliance, and employment advice and counseling. In addition to representing clients in employment litigation, Tanya provides advice and counseling to clients regarding compliance with state and federal employment laws and regulations including Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, and FLSA. She assists clients in the development of contractual agreements, employment agreements, workplace policies, and employee handbooks. 

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

• Nebraska State Bar Association
• Hall County Bar Association 
• American Bar Association
• Nebraska Defense Counsel Association
• Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys 
• NSBA: Rural Practice Initiative 

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

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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

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