Overview

Don Swanson has devoted his legal career to helping businesses and their owners deal with financial stress.

He has helped hundreds of businesses resolve financial problems without filing bankruptcy. But when needed, Don uses bankruptcy as a tool for meeting the goals of financially-stressed businesses and their owners. 

With over 40 years of experience and utilizing his specialization in the industry, Don has developed creative strategies to resolve Chapter 11 problems that have enabled him to develop and confirm reorganization plans for business clients in bankruptcy. He also has extensive experience and expertise in Subchapter V bankruptcy.

Don is a mediator and serves a mediator-like role as Subchapter V Trustee in Nebraska.

Stemming from his passion for the topic, Don also publishes a blog on bankruptcy and mediation at www.mediatbankry.com. He helps promote mediation as a dispute resolution tool in bankruptcy – both locally and nationally. In the past, Don has also served on the leadership team for the Mediation Committee of the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Don is a Certified Specialist in Business Bankruptcy Law and has been recognized by Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell for his work in this area.

Insights & Events

Speaking Engagements

News

Honors & Affiliations

Honors & Awards

Certified Specialist in Business Bankruptcy Law, American Board of Certification
The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2008-2025
Super Lawyers, 2009-2024
Omaha Magazine Top Lawyers of Omaha, Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights Law, 2021

“AV” Rating, Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
Court-Approved Mediator in both the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts of Nebraska
Nebraska State Bar Foundation, Fellow
Commissioner representing Nebraska on the Uniform Law Commission (ULC), member of ULC's Drafting Committee on assignments for benefit of creditors, and a ULC Legislative Council Fellow (2021 - Present)

Community & Professional

Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota Bar Associations
American Bankruptcy Institute
Rotary Club of Omaha – Downtown
Nebraska Bankruptcy Court Mediation Committee, Chair
American Academy of ADR Attorneys
American Bankruptcy Institute’s Mediation Committee, Leadership Team
CityCare Counseling, Board of Directors
Legal Aid of Nebraska, Former Board Member
Global Partners in Hope, Former Board Member

Education

J.D., University of Nebraska College of Law, 1980

  • Associate Editor, Nebraska Law Review, 1978-1980

B.S., University of Nebraska – Omaha, 1977

  • Political Science

A.A., Grace University, 1976

Admissions

  • State of Nebraska
    State of Iowa
    State of South Dakota
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa
    U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
    U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
    U.S. Supreme Court

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