About Thomas M.
Thomas M. Petersen earned his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in 1991. He entered the field of criminal defense soon after finishing law school and has spent decades practicing in Nebraska and before the Eighth Circuit. His legal education at Creighton laid the groundwork for a practice centered on courtroom work and case preparation.
By 1995 Petersen was practicing at Petersen Criminal Defense Law. He has remained associated with that office for many years. Over time he built a practice that handles state court criminal matters and federal appeals where appropriate. He is admitted to practice in Nebraska and to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Petersen’s practice includes representation in DUI cases. He is a member of the National College of DUI Defense, an organization that brings together attorneys who regularly handle driving-under-the-influence matters. That membership sits alongside longstanding ties to criminal defense organizations. He joined the Nebraska Bar Association in 1995 and the Omaha Bar Association in 1997. He has been a member of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Lawyers Association since 2000 and joined the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2013.
Colleagues and clients describe Petersen as a lawyer who spends time preparing for trial and for hearings. He handles both felony and misdemeanor charges, and his work often involves detailed review of police reports, forensic evidence and procedural issues. He appears in municipal, county and state courts, and when a case escalates to federal appellate review he is prepared to handle briefs and oral argument in the Eighth Circuit.
His courtroom approach is straightforward. He evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a case, tests the prosecution’s evidence and advises clients about procedural options, plea negotiations and trial strategy. He also works on matters that intersect with DUI law, including administrative license challenges and related proceedings.
Petersen maintains an active practice at Petersen Criminal Defense Law, where he continues to represent clients in criminal matters and DUI-related cases.
