Meet our legal team that is here to help you throughout the process.
Our team
Amy Patras
Amy was born in Chadron, Nebraska, but has had the privilege of living in ten different towns from border to border across our great state of Nebraska. Her law career started in 2002 in North Platte, Nebraska, where she focused her practice completely on trial work. In 2009, she moved back to Chadron where her practice expanded to include not only trial work but also estate planning, estate and trust administration, real estate and guardianships and conservatorships. While Amy enjoys assisting clients with transactional work her heart and passion will always remain in the courtroom, particularly in representing and advocating for injured people against the billion-dollar insurance companies in motor vehicle accidents.
Amy graduated, cum laude, from Wayne State College in 1999 majoring in political science and Spanish. She graduated, with distinction, from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2002. While in law school, Amy’s passion for the courtroom was recognized when she was selected to be a National member of the Order of the Barristers for exhibiting excellence and high honor through the art of courtroom advocacy.
Like all members of the office, Amy places a point of emphasis on community service, both at the local and state levels. She serves both legal and non-legal organizations. Amy served for several years as a director in the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys; is a current board member for Legal Aid of Nebraska; a Lifetime fellow of the Nebraska Bar Foundation; a member of the Nebraska Judicial Nominating Commission for the 12th judicial district; a member of the District Six Committee on Inquiry for Attorney Discipline and past President of the Old 16th bar association. Amy also proudly serves as a board member for Northwest Community Action Partnership which establishes programs and services to meet the needs of low income residents throughout the Panhandle.
Amy is admitted to practice in all Nebraska state courts as well as the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Amy is married to Shawn, and they have a daughter, Josie.
Matthew Watson
Matt was born and raised in Chadron, Nebraska and enjoys practicing law in his hometown. Matt’s practice focuses on estate planning, including wills and trusts, estate and trust administration, real estate, business planning, and guardianships and conservatorships. Matt particularly enjoys working with his agricultural clients on the unique challenges each client and operation presents.
Matt graduated from Hastings College in 2008 majoring in history and political science. He graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2011.
Like all the members of the office, Matt places a point of emphasis on community service. He has served as a board member and past president for the Chadron Chamber of Commerce and the Chadron Rotary Club. He is currently a member of Chadron Rotary, a Board of Director of the Post Playhouse at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, a member of the Nebraska Judicial Nominating Commission for the 12th judicial district, and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Matt is married to his wife, Loni Watson, and they have three children, Reese, Grant, and Reid.
Andrew Pope
Drew was born and raised in Chadron, Nebraska and is grateful to be able to practice law in a rural setting as well as his hometown. Currently, Drew’s practice primarily consists of criminal defense work in Dawes and the surrounding counties.
In his spare time, Drew enjoys running, hiking and biking with his family.
Drew graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2010 with degrees in History and Political Science. Drew graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 2015.
Drew is involved in a number of community organizations. He is currently the Chairman of the Dawes County Travel Board, serves on the Board for the Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation, is a Board Member for the Chadron Community Foundation, and is a member of the Chadron Rotary Club.
Drew is married to his lovely wife Kate, and they have two children, Julian and Hollis, and a goldendoodle named Mozes.