Litigation | Commercial Disputes | Auto Liability | Premises Liability | Employment Litigation

thansen@smithpauley.com

Tanya Hansen is a partner at Smith Pauley with extensive experience in civil litigation, insurance defense, and employment law. She represents insurance carriers, businesses, employers, and individuals in a wide range of litigation matters, including auto liability, premises liability, commercial litigation, and employment-related disputes.

Tanya approaches each matter with a strategic, results-oriented mindset, developing both short- and long-term strategies tailored to her clients’ unique needs and objectives. She has substantial experience managing litigation from inception through resolution and representing clients in state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, and before administrative agencies.

In addition to her litigation practice, Tanya works closely with employers of all sizes and across a variety of industries to develop practical, legally compliant employment practices. She advises management on employment-related issues, drafts and negotiates employment, consulting, separation, and settlement agreements, and conducts sensitive workplace investigations. She also designs and delivers workplace training programs, including anti-harassment training. Tanya takes pride in providing responsive, practical advice that reflects each client's unique workplace, culture, and business objectives.

Tanya was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2023, an invitation-only organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges. In 2025, she was honored as the Nebraska Defense Counsel Association Attorney of the Year, recognizing her excellence and contributions to the defense bar.

Outside of the office, Tanya enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with family and friends, and being a pet mom to Patton, Atty, Harper, Quinn, Val, her fish, and her chickens.

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

• American Bar Association

• American Board of Trial Advocates

• Defense Research Institute

• Hall County Bar Association 

• Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys 

• Nebraska Defense Counsel Association

• Nebraska State Bar Association

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

• Presentation: Ex Parte Contact with Current and Former Employees of an Opposing Corporate Party

• Presentation: Best Practices in Client Communication

Community Involvement

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

Honors and Awards

• Nebraska Defense Counsel Association Attorney of the Year, 2025

• 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