Our Attorneys

John W. Herdzina is a partner with the firm and a member of the business department. He joined the firm in 1972. Mr. Herdzina focuses his practice on corporate law, energy law, franchise pre-sale registration and disclosure laws; complex commercial transactions, drafting of contracts and administrative law.

In his corporate practice, Mr. Herdzina advises clients in complex business transactions including international business, real estate and energy/power plant transactions. He also counsels clients in the organization of business entities and drafting of organizational and governmental documents.

In connection with franchise law, Mr. Herdzina works with pre-sale registration and disclosure laws, federal regulations, state by state registration, disclosure obligations and content. Mr. Herdzina regularly counsels franchisors and franchisees on franchise relationship laws to help resolve problems and avoid disputes. 

With respect to his energy law practice, Mr. Herdzina has extensive experience, domestically and internationally, with cogeneration plants (production of electricity and steam) and independent power plants, including the negotiation and drafting of letters of intent, steam sales agreements, plant site leases, option and purchase agreements, plant interconnection documents, equipment agreements and water supply agreements.

Mr. Herdzina was the City Attorney for Bellevue, Nebraska for 15 years. As Bellevue City Attorney, Mr. Herdzina gained invaluable experience in all facets of municipal law and administrative law, including employment and political issues, as well as land use and planning. He has developed a solid understanding of Nebraska laws relating to claims against cities and political subdivisions. In addition, he has assisted clients with claims before various public bodies.

Mr. Herdzina has also developed a special emphasis on assisting families who are parenting or caring for a child with physical or cognitive challenges. He is experienced in establishing Special Needs Trusts and Supplemental Special Needs Trust which provide the ability to use trust assets to give individuals with special needs "non-necessity" items that would not be available through government benefits.

Mr. Herdzina received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Creighton University in 1970 and his Juris Doctor from the Creighton University School of Law in 1972.

Mr. Herdzina is a member of the Omaha and Nebraska State Bar Associations. He is also a Fellow of the Nebraska Bar Foundation and serves as a member of the Executive Committee for the Omaha Bar Association. He has served as a member of the Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission for the Fourth Judicial District, as a member of the Douglas County Judicial Nominating Commission.

Primary Industries Served:

Residential Building Construction; Pipelines, Except Natural Gas; Grocery Stores; Commercial Banks; Subdividers & Developers; Home Health Care Services