Vanessa Jean Gorden

Vanessa attended the University of South Dakota for college, graduate school, and law school, and earned her J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2005. She is a member of the Thomas Sterling Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed upon the top 10% of students in each USD Law graduating class. Prior to moving to Lincoln in 2008, Vanessa practiced law in rural northeastern Nebraska. Throughout her career, Vanessa has concentrated on representing individuals in family law, juvenile law, and guardianship/adoption matters in probate court. Vanessa was honored to be part of the 2008-2009 Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy. She has also served as Chair of the Volunteer Lawyers' Project committee for the Nebraska State Bar. Recently Vanessa was honored to receive the "10 Best Client Satisfaction Award" from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys in 2016 and the "Top 10 Attorneys Under 40" award from the National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys in 2015. Vanessa is also a graduate of the 2019 NITA/ABA Family Law Trial Academy.

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  We do charge for initial consultations, because we also provide you some advice you are able to use to protect your goals and interests even if you do not choose to proceed with your matter with our firm.

Nebraska

Since 2006

South Dakota

Since 2005

Attorney/Owner

GordenLaw, LLC

2011 - Current

University of South Dakota School of Law

J.D. (2005) | Law

2002 - 2005

Honors: Thomas Sterling Honor Society (Top 10% of graduating class); CALI awards in Property and Jurisprudence

Activities: R.D. Hurd Pro Bono Society; Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity

10 Best Client Satisfaction

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2016

Top 10 Family Law Attorneys Under 40

National Academy of Family Law Attorneys

2015

Nebraska State Bar  # 23294

Member

Current

How to Partner With Your Divorce Attorney

Stress Free Divorce Vol IV

2018

"Filing for Divorce" & "Effective Use of Discovery", Divorce Law Guide A to Z, Omaha, Nebraska

December 8, 2016

National Business Institute, Inc.

Life Coach Certification

New Skills Academy

2019

Family Law Trial Advocacy graduate

National Institute of Trial Advocacy/American Bar Association

2019

Q. Reinstating child support after military deployment extension

May 14, 2025

A: The answer here is going to depend on how the order was treated (if temporary orders or part of a permanent modification). Without looking at the orders/parenting plan/financial plan it is impossible to advise on whether a Motion to reinstate support or Notice of deployment ending would be sufficient or if you need to file a Complaint to Modify, etc. Your best bet would be to schedule a consultation or strategy session with an experienced family law attorney and have them review your current orders with you and recommend the best course of action based on your specific orders. Best wishes!

Q. Can I reclaim child support if I have had full custody post-divorce for 4 months?

May 7, 2025

A: Absolutely not. Support is due and owing and nonmodifiable each month. The best course of action would be to file to modify and you should be able to stop the support accruing, but you won't be able to go back after her to recoup what you paid unfairly, unfortunately.

Q. How to correct inaccuracies in child support for appeal in Nebraska?

March 8, 2025

A: The notice of intent to appeal is not magical - it just states that an appeal is on its way. However, it will be important that fees and costs be paid, etc. so the matter is not dismissed. Nebraska has a really good citizens' guide to appellate courts here: https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/Self-Help/citz-guide-appellate-courts.pdf