Don Kleine was born in and has lived in Omaha, Nebraska his entire life. He has achieved significant recognition for his legal career, including being named a fellow by the Regents of the American College of Trial Lawyers and receiving the Robert M. Spire Public Service Award from the Omaha Bar Association for outstanding service to the public. He was also honored by the L.E.C.C. for his dedicated service in fostering law enforcement cooperation in Nebraska and recognized by the Guard and Reserve for supporting their efforts in preserving national security. As Douglas County Attorney since 2006, Don leads a team of trial lawyers and has handled high-profile jury trials and cases, including the Anthony Garcia, Nikko Jenkins, and Roy Ellis cases, as well as several serial rape cases. He served as Chief of the Criminal Bureau for the State of Nebraska in 2003, managing cases statewide and supervising the Attorney General’s criminal division. Prior to that, he was Chief Deputy for County Attorney Jim Jansen, handling high-profile cases in Douglas County, and built a successful private law practice after working as a trial deputy for County Attorney Donald L. Knowles.
Don has been an active member of the National District Attorney’s Association Board for many years and is a past president of the Nebraska County Attorney’s Association. He serves on the board of Project Harmony, a child advocacy center, and the Advisory Board of Live On Nebraska (formerly Nebraska Organ Recovery). Additionally, he has taught at Creighton University School of Law for many years, currently teaching the Criminal Prosecution course in the fall semester.
As Douglas County Attorney, Don prioritizes community safety, holding perpetrators accountable, and offering second chances through problem-solving courts and diversion programs. His office pioneered Nebraska’s first problem-solving courts, which effectively support individuals with addiction, diverting over 300 people at any given time.
Don is married to his wife, Kim, an R.N. for Methodist Health Systems, and they have three children and six grandchildren. He has been deeply involved in coaching youth sports, including 25 years coaching in Ralston and both boys’ and girls’ basketball for St. Gerald’s parish.
Don graduated from Creighton Prep High School and then from the now University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he played college baseball. After undergrad, he attended and graduated from Creighton University School of Law.