Michelle Pernicek, a partner in the firm’s Omaha office, has been named to the “40 Under 40” Class of 2023 by Midlands Business Journal. Michelle was honored at the Omaha Design Center’s awards celebration on November 1. For the past 22 years the publication has recognized young professionals under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to and are shaping the vibrant business landscape of the Omaha metro area.

Michelle stands out from the crowd because of her success in the legal profession and her drive to give back to her community. She is a volunteer attorney with the Legal Aid of Nebraska and serves on the Nebraska State Bar Association House of Delegates, the Executive Committee for Women in the Law, the Judicial Resources Committee, and the Barristers’ Ball Committee. Michelle also is on the Executive Board of The Rose Theater Guild and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Omaha. Currently she is the Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program Committee Chair for the Nebraska region.

Michelle has had to make several pivots in her career, including putting on hold a clerkship because of the 2008 financial crisis. Eventually, she would clerk for the Honorable Frankie Moore on the Nebraska Court of Appeals and later work as an in-house claims attorney. She credits her mother for showing her how to be nimble and open to new possibilities. “She showed me that you can be an involved, caring parent while serving your community; you can have a plan for your career but be open to changes,” Michelle said of her mother.

View the complete list of “40 Under 40” Honorees.

Michelle practices in the area of public finance and affordable housing financing. She routinely serves as bond counsel and bond purchaser’s counsel in multifamily housing financings across the country. She has also represented hedge funds investing in derivatives and municipal securities. She has substantial experience as special counsel to lenders for the acquisition and documentation of interest rate caps in multifamily housing transactions. Michelle serves on the firm’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee.