Legal Work as a Human Connection
The last several months have been full of meaningful work, both in the offices of McGill Law and out in the communities we serve. This season offered space to reflect on the kind of impact we want to have, not only on the lives of the people we represent, but on the communities of which we are part. Legal work is often viewed as separate from everyday life, but what I see every day tells a different story. It is deeply human. It is rooted in stories, relationships, and decisions that affect people’s day-to-day realities. When handled with care, it can be an act of restoration. It can help people move forward with clarity and confidence.
Community Involvement
That belief shapes how we practice law and how we show up beyond our client work. I serve on the boards of both the Greater Omaha Chamber and the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA). Being part of these organizations has deepened my understanding of how layered people’s needs really are. The Chamber brings leaders together to strengthen business opportunity and growth throughout Nebraska and western Iowa. CIRA supports immigrant and refugee families as they build safety, stability, and community in a new place. Both reflect values that guide how we practice at McGill Law. The work we do is not isolated. It is connected to broader systems of care and access, and our participation in those systems matters.
This summer, I also had the honor of co-chairing Project Harmony’s annual fundraising event. The afternoon was powerful and moving. Elizabeth Smart shared her story with such strength and clarity. She reminded all of us that surviving trauma is only the beginning. Healing starts when someone feels safe enough to speak the truth about what they have been through. That message stayed with me, because it mirrors what we so often witness. Clients come to us during moments of intense transition, grief, fear, or uncertainty. Our job is to create a space where they feel supported, informed, and never alone in what comes next.
Supporting Clients with Compassion and Clarity
McGill Law is a team of women. We are proud to be a female-focused firm. That does not mean we only serve women. It means we built our practice with intention. We believe legal service should be rooted in empathy, respect, and long-term solutions. We support men, women, LGBTQ+ clients, and families of all structures and identities. What unites our work is not who we serve, but how we serve them. We work hard to listen closely and explain things clearly. We guide clients through emotional and often overwhelming situations with compassion and professionalism. We do not take lightly the trust people place in us.
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
This summer also reminded me how important it is to continue showing up in spaces where equity and inclusion still require effort. Supporting Heartland Pride is part of that. Our support for LGBTQ+ families and individuals is not limited to events or a single month. It is part of our firm’s culture. Everyone who walks into our offices in Omaha or Lincoln deserves to be met with respect and care, no matter what brings them through our doors.
Your Next Step
As fall settles in and school-year routines take shape, it becomes a natural time to revisit things that may have been pushed to the background. Parenting plans may need to be updated. Estate planning may need to be started or reviewed. Sometimes, it just takes a conversation to gain a sense of direction again. Wherever you are in your process, we are here when you are ready.
If you believe in the work we do, or if our team has supported you in the past, I would be honored to have your vote in this year’s Best of Omaha. I am proud of how we show up, proud of the people we help, and proud of the women I work beside. We will continue this work with purpose, with presence, and with a deep commitment to doing law differently.
About Jodie McGill
Jodie McGill is the founder and managing attorney of McGill Law, a female-focused family law firm with offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. She brings over 15 years of experience guiding clients through divorce, custody, estate planning, and mediation with empathy, clarity, and respect. Jodie serves on the boards of the Greater Omaha Chamber and the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, and is passionate about building stronger, more inclusive communities.