Michael is an O’Neill native, with both sides of his family having deep roots in Holt County. He graduated from Ainsworth High School in 2009. He then attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Journalism. After college, Michael attended law school at the University of Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln, graduating in 2016.

After law school, Michael practiced with Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather in Omaha for four years. His practice at Cline Williams focused on civil litigation, with an emphasis on defense of personal injury and professional malpractice cases. In August of 2020, Michael and his family moved back to Holt County. He began working with Strope & Gotschall in O’Neill, where his practice diversified to involve a broad range of transactional and litigation matters, including real estate transactions, business planning, estate planning and probate, divorce and custody proceedings, municipal law, and a broad range of civil litigation matters. In March of 2022, Michael and Jim Gotschall opened Gotschall & Sholes PC, LLO. 

Michael and his wife Samantha, a family medicine physician at West Holt Medical Services, reside in Atkinson with their two children.

Education

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln, B.J. with Highest Distinction, 2013
• University of Nebraska College of Law, J.D. with High Distinction, 2016

Involvement & Recognition

• Atkinson Fire & Rescue Department, 2022-Present
• St. Joseph Catholic Church, Atkinson, 2021-Present
• Nebraska Lawyer’s Advisory Committee, 2021-Present
• Omaha Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division Board, 2018-19
• Order of the Coif, 2016
• Nebraska Law Review, 2014-16
• Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board, 2012-13

Following World War I, Jim’s grandfather and great uncle farmed and ranched in Knox County, Nebraska, then, in 1936 bought a ranch 20 miles southwest of Atkinson, Nebraska.  The ranch was later operated by his father and uncle and is currently operated by his brother and cousins.  Jim is a graduate of West Holt High School in 1982 and of the University of Nebraska, College of Agriculture with an emphasis in beef production in 1986, and a graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1989.  He practiced at the litigation firm of Gaines, Mullen in Omaha, Nebraska until 1994 when he moved back to Holt County.  He practices agricultural law, with an emphasis in real estate, estate planning, probate and trust administration from $10,000 transfers to $10,000,000 estates. He has handled insurance litigation with successful results from $30,000 to over $1,000,000. He has tried numerous bench and jury trials from Omaha to Ogalala and many places in between. In 1987, he married Leann Gotschall, a registered ultrasonographer at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill, and they have four children who all graduated from O’Neill Public High School. 

            His goal is to provide clients with the most progressive legal advice possible.  This means delivering advice in a practical, common-sense package to allow clients to make informed decisions about their businesses, estate plans, or court cases. This means putting his clients first by taking phone calls, meeting walk-ins, and visiting elderly at home if necessary.

Jim’s Education/Experience:

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Agriculture – Animal Science/Ag Business, 1986
• University of Nebraska College of Law, J.D., 1989
• Gaines, Mullen, Pansing, Hogan & Cotton in Omaha, NE, 1989-1994
• Nebraska Bar Disciplinary Review Board – Chairman, 2014-2020
• Nebraska Bar Committee on Inquiry, 2022-present 
• Nebraska State Bar Foundation
• O’Neill Public School Board – 2002-2018

Briana Stelling grew up on a farm outside of Orchard, Nebraska and graduated high school in 2015.  She attended paralegal school at College of Saint Mary in Omaha where she was the Secretary of the Paralegal Association Club.  Briana was also a member of the Nebraska Paralegal Association. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and #1 in her Legal Studies Program.  She interned at Fraser Stryker law firm in Omaha, Nebraska before moving to Holt County. Briana has 4 years of paralegal experience and is the lead paralegal and office manager for Gotschall & Sholes PC, LLO.