Practice Areas

Litigation and Appeals

Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple represents clients and advises clients who are or might become involved in a lawsuit or appeal as a result of a dispute in such areas as personal injury, products liability, labor and employment law, contract disputes, construction, agriculture and business and commercial matters. In pursuing claims on behalf of their clients, the attorneys consider alternatives to litigation and drawn-out battles in court by utilizing negotiation strategies and alternative dispute resolution in an effort to avoid litigation and encourage settlement.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is the process of resolving legal conflicts without going to trial. Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple is in the forefront of this area, advising clients on arbitration, mediation, mini-trials and private judging. The firm’s attorneys have extensive expertise in determining when a form of ADR is in the best interest of their clients and meets their needs better than traditional litigation.

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Trials

The attorneys at Fitzgerald Vetter & Temple are recognized by their peers for their abilities in trial practice and litigation. The firm maintains the highest possible rating in a national publication for our ability to litigate cases. The firm's trial attorneys handle cases in numerous jurisdictions and venues, including both state and federal courts in the State of Nebraska and South Dakota. The attorneys are competent, thorough, and able to apply the law to complex cases which results in sound legal decisions by our clients and the judicial system.

The firm has a very talented group of trial attorneys and our litigation experience is not limited. We assist our clients in criminal matters, whether a felony, misdemeanor, or juvenile proceeding. We have experience in all types of personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, premises,liability injuries, dog bites, product liability, medical/pharmaceutical torts, real estate, contractual and insurance disputes. We represent local businesses, as well as some of the nations largest insurance corporations, with their litigation needs.

Fitzgerald Vetter & Temple has the talent and resources to represent our clients in a diverse range of litigation. Our attorneys represent clients in the most serious criminal, civil and administrative litigation. Our attention to detail and our understanding of our client's needs separates the firm of Fitzgerald Vetter &Temple from the rest.

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Corporations / Business Entities

Persons from all walks of life occasionally need to form an entity to protect their personal assets from liability in the event of a lawsuit. The attorneys at Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple have the unique ability to assist their clients with the selection of an appropriate entities, such as a corporation or limited liability company, and then assist those clients with the formation of that entity to serve the clients needs the best.

Specifically, the attorneys at Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple routinely assist their clients with preparation of the Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization, By Laws, and related documents. In addition, the attorneys also can assist the client with issues relating to buy-sell agreements and the sale of businesses.

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Wills

A common question among ordinary people is “Do you have a Will”? The attorneys at Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple assist their clients with the formation of simple Wills and related documents. A Will is unique to each individual but most individuals prefer to see and know that their assets devolve to certain individuals in the event of their death and also want to have the comfort of knowing that their children and loved ones will be taken care of in the event of an untimely passing. The attorneys at Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple have the ability to assist the clients with the formation of a Will and other documents that give confidence to their clients that their loved ones and assets will be taken care of in a way that is unique to them.

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Personal Injury

The Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple Law Office represents individuals in cases involving automobile negligence, wrongful death, personal injury, products liability, professional malpractice and medical malpractice.

Due to our unique background, our attorneys have specialized knowledge in all aspects of personal injuries. The lawyers of Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple Law Office have an in-depth understanding of medical issues involved in every personal injury case. We treat our clients’ matters as if they were our own, exercising the highest degree of judgment, integrity and discretion. Many personal injury clients are unfamiliar with the complexity of medical-legal issues, while our attorneys are well versed in these matters. The firm’s clients are consulted at every stage of the legal process with competent, understanding advice and answers to their questions.

  • Settlements
  • Auto Accidents
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Insurance Disputes
  • Wrongful Death Claims
  • Product Liability Issues

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Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents frequently involve complex medical and insurance issues. The attorneys at Fitzgerald Vetter & Temple have extensive knowledge of both medical and insurance issues, gained through years of experience, of working cases involving motor vehicle accidents.

There are many pitfalls to the unwary involved in motor vehicle accident litigation. Whether addressing the complex medical issues such as an aggravation of a pre¬existing condition, to the complexity of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or the reimbursement laws involved in ERISA plans and Medicare, the attorneys of Fitzgerald Vetter & Temple have the knowledge and expertise to help you through the aftermath of your accident and help you realize the just compensation your are due.

  • Alcohol Related Crashes
  • Hit and Run
  • Passenger Injuries
  • Driver Injuries
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Semi-truck and tractor trailer accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents

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Criminal Defense

The attorneys of Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple have extensive experience in defending the rights of people arrested and accused of criminal offenses. The firm handles all types of criminal cases, from minor infractions and misdemeanors to the most serious felony indictments, such as, driving under the influence, drug possession, narcotics sales, theft and grand larceny, white collar fraud, embezzlement, sex offenses, arson and conspiracy.

  • Drunk Driving (DUI) Defense
  • Traffic Offenses
  • Drug Possession & Sale
  • Assault
  • Domestic Violence
  • Burglary/Robbery/Theft
  • Criminal Sexual Conduct
  • Homicide
  • Juvenile Delinquency
  • Probation & Parole Violations

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Divorce

A court of law is the only way one can obtain a divorce decree, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment. The court also has jurisdiction to resolve other issues that may be related to the divorce including custody and visitation rights for minor children, division of marital assets and debts, and spousal support. The attorneys at Fitzgerald Vetter & Temple have a proven record of representing parties in domestic relation cases that finds a fair and equitable division of the property and the attorneys work hard to promote the best interests of any children that may be involved in the divorce proceeding. The dynamics of each divorce are different based upon the relationship of the parties, and the attorneys at Fitzgerald Vetter & Temple can assist you in finding the unique answer or resolution to your divorce questions.

  • Divorce Negotiation
  • Divorce Litigation
  • Property Settlements
  • Mediation
  • Alimony
  • Child Support Enforcement
  • Child Support Contempt Orders
  • Divorce Decree Modification
  • Courtroom Divorce Action
  • Division of Marital Property and Debt
  • Adoption
  • Emergency Protective Orders
  • Prenuptial Planning

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Insurance Defense

The attorneys of Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple represent the interests of numerous insurance companies. Insurance matters handled by the firm include primary and excess lines of cases, with an emphasis on the defense of personal injury and insurance coverage claims. Some of the types of cases the firm’s lawyers have recently defended include automobile collisions, including farm implement, commercial and trucking, products liability, farm and ranch accidents, livestock sales, insurance company bad faith accusations, coverage disputes, construction, propane explosion, fire cause and origin, director liability issues, malpractice, errors and omissions, premises liability, uninsured and underinsured claims, city and county tort claims, toxic mold, aviation, environmental liability and water use issues.

  • Insurance Disputes
  • Insurance Coverage Disputes
  • Amount of Insurance Loss Disputes

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Estate Planning & Real Estate

Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple also assists individuals with their life planning needs. The firm handles estate planning, probate and estate administration, real estate transactions, land use and zoning issues, eminent domain and landlord/tenant disputes.

  • Real Estate Transactions
  • Buying and Selling Property
  • Office Space Leasing Contracts
  • Warehouse and Storage Contracts
  • Real Estate Disputes
  • Rental Disputes
  • Rental Contracts

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Employment Matters

Most every person in the world is employed or has been employed in some fashion. The wages and benefits associated with that employment are obviously, very important to individuals and the clients of Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple routinely seek and obtain guidance and counsel regarding employment matters. The attorneys of Fitzgerald, Vetter & Temple have considerable experience in handling wage claims by employees against employers including actions under the Nebraska Wage Payment and Collection Act as well as have considerable experience in drafting confidentiality agreements and reviewing non-compete agreements to insure that those agreements meet the individual needs of the client.

  • Wage and Hour Violations
  • Confidentiality Agreements
  • Non-compete Agreements

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Contracts and Agreements

The attorneys at Fitzgerald Vetter & Temple listen to the needs of each client and can draft the proper contract to protect the future needs and interests of each client. Each contract is specifically drafted to address the unique concerns and interests of each client. Our attorneys can prepare the proper legal documents for all types of business, real estate, employment, or other type of commercial transaction.

  • Draft Contracts
  • Loan and Security Documents
  • Purchase Contracts
  • Employment Agreements
  • Construction Documentation
  • Sale Agreements
  • Equipment Leases
  • Security Agreements
  • Loan Agreements
  • Joint Venture Agreements
  • Partnership Agreements

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Banking

  • Commercial Transaction Documentation
  • Collections
  • Contract and Tort Claims
  • Loan Disputes