Dan Pauley honored with prestigious ‘40 under 40’ designation

Dan Pauley, founding partner of Smith Pauley, has been honored by Midlands Business Journal (MBJ) as one of its “40 Under 40” award winners for 2023.

Since 2002, MBJ has honored the top 40 entrepreneurs, executives and professionals from the greater Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs areas under the age of 40. MBJ released this year’s much-anticipated list of honorees in its July 14 edition.

Pauley said he’s honored by the recognition, but quicky added that awards such as this are never earned alone.

“I’ve had the honor of working with and being mentored by so many amazing people, including my colleagues at Smith Pauley, who inspire me every day,” Pauley said. “And of course it all starts with the support of my wife, Brooke, and the rest of my family. I learn something from them every day.”

After graduating from Creighton University School of Law in 2010, Pauley quickly established himself as a rising star in the legal field and was named a partner in a law firm by age 30. In 2022, he made the bold decision to venture out on his own and formed Smith Pauley, along with attorneys from the former Smith Slusky Law and several other like-minded attorneys. In its first year, Smith Pauley has experienced rapid growth in multiple ways. The firm began with five attorneys and now includes 24, with expanded areas of expertise in corporate mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, real estate, intellectual property, banking, venture capital and growth, family law, and civil litigation.

Those legal services – and the firm’s geographic footprint – grew substantially when Smith Pauley merged with Rehan Law of Sioux City in June. Also in June, Smith Pauley secured an agreement to be the official law firm of Husker football, basketball and volleyball – the first agreement of its kind. 

This year’s 40 Under 40 honorees will be recognized in a special edition of MBJ published Oct. 27 and formally honored at an awards gala Nov. 1.