Don Kleine was born in and has lived in Omaha, Nebraska his entire life. He graduated from Creighton Prep High School; then graduated from now University of Nebraska at Kearney where he played college baseball. After undergrad he attended and graduated from Creighton University School of Law. He worked for the County Attorney Donald L. Knowles as a trial deputy for several years before building a successful private law practice. He then became the Chief Deputy for County Attorney Jim Jansen handling many high-profile cases in Douglas County. In 2003, he was named the Chief of the Criminal Bureau for the State of Nebraska, handling cases around the state and supervising the Attorney General’s criminal division. In 2006, don was elected as Douglas County Attorney leading the team of trial lawyers representing Douglas County. He continues to handle many high profile jury trials and cases, including the Anthony Garcia, Nikko Jenkins and Roy Ellis cases and several serial rape cases over his career.
Don has been active as a National District Attorney’s Association Board member for many years. He is past president of the Nebraska County Attorney’s Association. He also serves on the board of Project Harmony, our child advocacy center and the Advisory Board of Live On Nebraska (formerly Nebraska Organ Recovery). He has taught at Creighton University Law for many years currently teaching the Criminal Prosecution course in the fall semester.
Don has been recognized by his peers in the Omaha Bar Association “For outstanding service to the public” by being presented the Robert M. Spire Public Service Award. He also has been recognized by the L.E.C.C. for his “dedicated service contributing significantly in fostering law enforcement cooperation in Nebraska”. He has been named a fellow by the Regents of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He also has been recognized by the Guard and Reserve for his support of their actions in preserving our national security.
Most importantly Don is marred to his wife Kim who is an R.N. for Methodist Health Systems. They have three children and five grandchildren. Don has been involved in coaching youth sports for numerous years. He coached youth athletics in Ralston for twenty-five years and coached both boys and girls basketball for St. Gerald’s parish for many years.
Every day our goal at the Douglas County Attorney’s Office is what can we do to make Douglas County an even better, safer place for our families. We do that by prioritizing the safety of our citizens, holding perpetrators accountable and responsible for crimes they commit and giving those who deserve it a second chance through our problem-solving courts and diversion programs. Our office pioneered the first problem solving courts in the state of Nebraska, which are extremely effective in helping those with addiction problems. Collectively, our many problem solving courts divert over 300 individuals at any given time.