Woods Aitken is pleased to announce that 20 attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026, one of the legal profession’s oldest and most respected peer-review publications. In addition, five Woods Aitken attorneys were named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2026 which recognizes attorneys who are earlier in their careers.
The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 recognitions, by market, include:
Denver, CO
Colin P. Baumchen
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Alvin M. Cohen
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Mediation
Real Estate Law
Kory D. George
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Daniel M. Gross
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Joel D. Heusinger
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Amanda C. Hoberg
Commercial Litigation
Kerry L. Kester
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Lincoln, NE
Craig C. Dirrim
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Erin L. Ebeler
Employment Law – Management
Andrew B. Koszewski
Tax Law
James A. Overcash
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Jerry L. Pigsley
Employment Law - Management
Labor Law – Management
Paul M. Schudel
Communications Law
Utilities Law
Audrey R. Svane
Construction Law
Omaha, NE
Pamela J. Bourne
Employment Law – Management
Labor Law – Management
Daniel R. Carnahan
Corporate Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts and Estates
Michael D. Matejka
Corporate Law
Litigation – Real Estate
Real Estate Law
Bruce A. Smith
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Patrick T. Vint
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Todd W. Weidemann
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
The 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America recognitions, by market, include:
Denver, CO
Abigail R. Frame
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Ana V. Hingorani
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction
Sarah K. Mielke
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation - Construction
Lincoln, NE
Ashley H. Connell
Labor and Employment Law - Management
William A. Ozaki
Banking and Finance Law
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Tax Law
In addition, Best Lawyers® honored four Woods Aitken attorneys as “Lawyer of the Year” recipients:
Kory D. George: Litigation-Construction “Lawyer of the Year” – Denver, CO
Craig C. Dirrim: Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” – Lincoln, NE
Michael D. Matejka: Litigation-Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year” – Omaha, NE
Todd W. Weidemann: Construction Law "Lawyer of the Year" – Omaha, NE
"Lawyer of the Year" accolades are reserved for one individual per practice area in each metropolitan region, based on the highest aggregate peer feedback. This designation represents a rare and distinguished honor.
The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 has recognized Woods Aitken as a “Top Listed” firm in the following areas:
Top-Listed State Awards
Construction Law in Nebraska: 6 lawyers
Litigation - Construction in Nebraska: 4 lawyers
Top-Listed Metro Awards
Litigation - Construction in Denver: 6 lawyers
About Best Lawyers®
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is based on comprehensive peer-review surveys. For the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, more than 26 million evaluations were analyzed. The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America recognitions were determined based on more than 5.4 million evaluations. The "Ones to Watch" awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. A "Top-Listed" designation is given to the firm that has the most recognized lawyers in a particular location and practice area.