Who We Are

John has a keen understanding of the sensitivities and the strategies needed to promote your interests in Nebraska.

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Prior to becoming a lobbyist, John served as a Nebraska state senator for two terms representing Omaha’s 9th legislative district. While serving, his colleagues chose him to chair the Judiciary Committee, and before that he was Vice-Chair of the Executive Board.​ He joined what was then O'Hara and Associates in 1997 and became president in 2008 when founder Paul O'Hara retired.

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John was born and raised in Omaha, where he attended Creighton Preparatory School, Creighton University, and Creighton University College of Law. He practiced law in Omaha for 13 years, starting out with his father and older brother.  John clerked for the Honorable John Grant at the Nebraska Supreme Court for a year after law school.​

Former State Senator Burke Harr joined the firm in 2024. During his two terms in the Legislature, Burke was practicing law in Omaha with Houghton Bradford Whitted. Since leaving the Legislature in 2018, Burke, a graduate of St. Thomas University and Notre Dame School of Law, has continued practicing law while expanding into legislative lobbying and public policy-making with former Congressman Brad Ashford.

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While in the Legislature, Burke served as chairman of the Business and Labor Committee and served on the Agriculture, Banking, Commerce, and Insurance, General Affairs, Judiciary, and Revenue committees. He is a former prosecutor in Douglas County.

 

Burke specializes in development projects and has many years of experience fostering public-private partnerships, and government relations work. Burke serves on the Board of Directors for Big Gardens, BRIDGE, Friends of O’Connor, GESU Affordable Housing, Lincoln Benefit Life Insurance Company, LAGO51, and Museum of Nebraska Art

Blair MacDonald joined the firm in 2015 as Director of Client Relations, was promoted to lobbyist in 2018, and later Vice President in 2023. Originally from Fremont, Nebraska, Blair attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. She graduated cum laude with her B.A. in Political Science, minoring in Italian language in 2012.

 

Before joining us, Blair worked on a number of political campaigns from 2012 to 2015, including managing the campaigns of Senator Burke Harr of Omaha and Mayor of Lincoln, Chris Beutler. In addition to her political work, she was the campaign coordinator at the Archdiocese of Omaha, for the nonprofit’s successful $52 million “Ignite the Faith” capital campaign.

 

Blair’s campaign background and development experience has been a great complement to the firm’s strategic work and clientele. Before making the transition to lobbying, MacDonald spent her first years at the firm building relationships with senators and legislative staff while planning and managing events and special projects for clients and senators. In her lobbying work, Blair has proven successes of advocacy for private corporate clients, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations.  

Joey joined the firm at the end of 2024. Born and raised in Omaha, Joey has nearly 15 years of experience in Nebraska politics, having worked in both campaign management for state and federal candidates, and as a legislative staff member for State Senators Ken Haar and Matt Hansen. While working for Senator Hansen, Joey was his legislative aide, helping draft legislation and prepping for hearings and floor debate.

 

Joey has spent the last seven years serving as a policy director and lobbyist, first at the Holland Children’s Movement and more recently at OpenSky Policy Institute. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Holland Children’s Movement, and previously served on the board for the Wellbeing Initiative, Inc.

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Joey possesses a decades-long passion for serving others and making meaningful differences in the lives of Nebraskans. In his time so far at LHM, he has been able to take that passion to new heights by building bridges with key communities, professional organizations, nonprofits and economic drivers. 

Hannah joined the firm in 2019. A fourth generation Lincolnite, Hannah received her B.A. in Business Administration, minoring in Political Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2009 and graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2012.

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As Office Manager, Hannah is responsible for supervising office, IT, HR, payroll, and accounting matters. She handles contract administration, legislative tracking, and Accountability & Disclosure compliance. As Director of Client Relations, Hannah does data and research, provides logistics and support for clients in and out of the office, and coordinates legislative receptions, fundraisers, and outreach for clients and Senators.

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Prior to joining Lindsay Harr MacDonald, worked at a disability services non-profit. Additionally, she spent several years in private law practice and is an active member of the Nebraska State Bar Association.