Bio
Omaha Associate
Empowering Clients to Protect What Matters Most
Ashley Kraus is an Associate Attorney in the Trusts & Estates Practice Area at Goosmann Law Firm’s Omaha office. She helps individuals, families, and business owners protect what matters most through personalized estate planning, probate administration, and wealth transfer strategies.
Ashley joined Goosmann in October 2025, bringing with her years of experience in complex estate and business planning. She advises clients on advanced trust design, corporate restructuring, and federal estate tax planning. Before returning to Nebraska, Ashley practiced in Texas, gaining valuable experience in real estate, guardianships, and family law litigation.
Licensed in Nebraska and Texas, Ashley focuses on trusts, estate planning, and charitable giving strategies designed to help clients achieve both financial and personal goals. She has a particular interest in irrevocable trusts, advanced wealth transfer techniques, and legacy planning for families with multi-generational or charitable objectives.
Her diverse legal background — spanning litigation, real estate, and probate — allows her to anticipate challenges and develop well-rounded, practical solutions for her clients.
Ashley earned her Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she served as a Staff Writer for The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race & Social Justice. Her scholarship focused on the intersection of law, ethics, and animal welfare, with publications addressing animal cruelty prevention and international wildlife trafficking.
A former Council Member of the State Bar of Texas Animal Law Section, Ashley continues to advocate for animal protection and has presented continuing legal education courses on the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty.
Outside the office, Ashley serves as a volunteer diver at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, helping maintain exhibits and care for aquatic animals, including penguins. Her work reflects her belief in service, stewardship, and connection — values that also guide her legal practice.
Ashley’s “WHY”
Ashley believes in helping people feel empowered and in control of their future. “Estate planning isn’t just about documents — it’s about giving clients confidence, clarity, and peace of mind,” she says. “When someone walks away feeling secure in their plan, that’s a success.”
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State: Nebraska and Texas
EDUCATION
St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, TX
- Juris Doctor, 2019
Doane University, Crete, NE
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Law, Politics & Society, 2015
EMPLOYMENT
Goosmann Law Firm, Omaha, NE
Associate Attorney, Oct. 2025 – Current
- Advises individuals, families, and business owners on sophisticated estate and wealth transfer planning.
- Develops strategic estate plans, including irrevocable trusts, charitable structures, and business succession strategies.
- Guides clients through probate and estate administration with a practical, client-focused approach.
Dvorak Law Group, Omaha, NE
Associate Attorney, Jun. 2023 – Oct. 2025
- Handled complex estate planning and administration for high-net-worth clients.
- Advised on corporate restructuring and Nebraska inheritance tax proceedings.
Sheehan Law, Pflugerville, TX
Associate Attorney, Apr. 2021 – Apr. 2023
- Managed estate planning, real estate, and probate matters, including contested guardianships.
Law Office of Brandon Bledsoe, Austin, TX
Associate Attorney, Sep. 2019 – Apr. 2021
- Litigated high-conflict family law cases and advised clients on property and custody matters.
HONORS, AWARDS, & PUBLICATIONS
- Presenter, Domestic Violence & Animal Cruelty: A Deadly Link, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting (2022)
- Skinning the Cat: How Mandatory Psychiatric Evaluations for Animal Cruelty Offenders Can Prevent Future Violence (2019)
- The Perverted Ark: Failures, Successes, and Solutions to Protect the World’s Rarest Creatures from International Trafficking, Animal Legal Defense Fund (2018)
ASSOCIATIONS
- Nebraska State Bar Association
- Texas State Bar
- State Bar of Texas Animal Law Section – Former Council Member
- St. Mary’s Student Animal Legal Defense Fund – Founder & President
COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT
- Advocate for Animal Welfare and Ethical Estate Planning
- Volunteer Scuba Diver, Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha, NE