Biography
MaKenna concentrates her practice on insurance coverage and disputes. Her previous litigation experience includes a representation of a wide range of clients on a number of issues, including wrongful death, breach of contract, general negligence, and insurance disputes at all levels of exposure.
Having grown up around the insurance industry, MaKenna is comfortable handling numerous policy issues. Her prior experience includes first-party property, automobile liability, and commercial general liability, including additional insured disputes. She has represented clients in bad faith and breach of contract actions involving punitive damages and allegations of unfair claims settlement practices.
Outside of the office, MaKenna enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children. She can often be found outdoors, including the family’s favorite hiking locations.
Education
Creighton University School of Law, J.D., 2015
Simpson College, B.A. 2012
Honors
Lyle E. Strom Scholar in Trial Advocacy
Creighton Law Review, Lead Article Editor
Professional Leadership
Claims Litigation Management Alliance:
Omaha Chapter Board Member
Property Committee Member
Nebraska State Bar Association
Iowa State Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Iowa Defense Counsel Association
Representative Matters
Secured summary judgment in commercial dispute in United States District Court for the District of Nebraska with seven-figure exposure
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of restaurant in premises liability matter after establishing no legal duty owed to the plaintiff
Achieved summary judgment in United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for client in personal injury suit with additional indemnification disputes
Attained directed verdict in wrongful death action and successfully defended decision on appeal to state supreme court
Presentations
Presenter, “The Truth Will Set You Free: Navigating Insured Misrepresentations,” CLM Focus, November 2022.
Presenter, “Business Interruption Insurance for COVID-19 Claims,” Iowa Defense Counsel Association, June 2020.
Publications
Co-Author, Insurance Coverage for Construction Defect Claims Made Simple, American Bar Association’s The Brief (Spring 2023)
Confidential Close-Ups: The Tenth Circuit in World Publishing Co. v. United States Department of Justice Properly Decided Federal Booking Photographs Contain Privacy Interests Under the Freedom of Information Act, 47 CREIGHTON L. REV. 501 (2014).