Stephen D. Mossman is one of the leading attorneys in the Midwest in the areas of natural resources and environmental law, solid waste law, water law, and agricultural law.  In the area of water law, Steve has represented parties in many of the major water cases decided by the Nebraska Supreme Court, which have changed the face of Nebraska water law over the past two decades. He is the author of “Whiskey is for Drinkin’ but Water is for Fightin’ About: A First Hand Account of Nebraska’s Integrated Management of Ground and Surface Water Debate and Passage of L.B. 108,″ which was published in the Creighton Law Review. The article traces the debate from Steve’s firsthand account as one of the drafters of L.B. 108, one of the major pieces of water legislation Steve has been involved with.  He represents numerous confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in environmental, zoning, and regulatory matters along with several agricultural organizations.  Steve also advises businesses on all aspects of their operations on a regional basis.

​

Steve’s practice areas include property rights and condemnation litigation, state and federal constitutional law, general litigation, and practice before administrative agencies.  Throughout his legal career, Steve has represented a wide variety of clients in arguing cases before the Nebraska Supreme Court, the Nebraska Court of Appeals and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He has also submitted briefs in three cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. A full list of his appellate cases can be found here.

​

Steve has served as Chairman of the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Natural Resources and Environmental Law Section and the Agricultural Law Section, and was Chair of the American Bar Association’s Waste Management Committee. He has spoken at numerous seminars in the area of water and natural resources law. He is involved in numerous civic organizations, primarily in the areas of agriculture and natural resources. A native of Grand Island, Steve worked for U.S. Senator Dave Karnes, the Nebraska Beef Board and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture prior to attending law school and joining the firm.

​

When not in the office or spending time with his three daughters, Steve enjoys spending time outdoors running, hunting and fishing.  He also enjoys politics and public policy, literature, University of Nebraska athletics, and current events.

​

Education:

• 1992 University of Nebraska College of Law, J.D.

• 1987 University of Nebraska-Lincoln, B.S. with distinction

Licensed:

• Nebraska state and federal courts

• Colorado state and federal courts

• Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

• Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

• U.S. Supreme Court

• Pro hac vice in state or federal courts in Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota

Honors & Awards:

• Allen Moot Court Board

• Robert G. Simmons Nebraska Law Practice Award

Involvement:

• Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry

  • Board of Directors, Ex Officio Member

  • Environmental Council, Chair

• Groundwater Foundation

  • Former Board Member and Vice Chair

• Nebraska State Bar Association

  • Agricultural Law Section, Past Chair

  • Natural Resources & Environmental Law Section, Past Chair

• American Bar Association

  • Waste Management Committee, Past Chair

  • American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow

• Nebraska Agribusiness Club, Past President

• City of Lincoln Board of Zoning Appeals

• Keep Nebraska Beautiful

  • Gubernatorial Appointment to Board of Directors​

Publications & Presentations:​

• “Whiskey is For Drinkin’ but Water is for Fightin’ About: A First Hand Account of Nebraska’s Integrated Management of Ground and Surface Water Debate and the Passage of L. B. 108,″ 30 Creighton L. Rev. 67 (1996)

• Holding a Water Right is No Guarantee You Can Tap the Liquid Gold, Nebraska Cattlemen magazine, January 2011 (with Patricia L. Vannoy)

• Trust, But Verify: Know Who You are Contracting With and Put it in Writing, Nebraska Cattlemen magazine, March 2011 (with Patricia L. Vannoy)

• Good Fences Make Good Neighbors, Nebraska Cattlemen magazine, April/May 2011 (with Patricia L. Vannoy)

• Environmental Regulators at Your Doorstep, Nebraska Cattlemen magazine, August 2011 (with Patricia L. Vannoy)

• Numerous presentations in the areas of water, environmental and agricultural law