News – Pearce Durick PLLC

Quinn Fylling served as law clerk to both the Southwest Judicial District and the Honorable Dan Hovland prior to joining the Firm. He focuses his practice on litigation, commercial transactions, and creditor’s rights.

Prior to joining the Firm, Jack Zuger was in private practice in Bismarck. Zuger focuses on insurance defense, personal injury and wrongful death, and business and contract disputes. He recently graduated from the International Association of Defense Counsel’s Trial Academy; a program designed to help attorneys further develop trial advocacy skills.

Kirsten Tuntland was a law clerk to both the Honorable Dan Crothers and the Honorable Charles Miller. She practices in the areas of education law, employment law, and civil litigation.

Andy Askew was an intern with Senator Byron Dorgan, in addition to being a law clerk for the Honorable Dale Sandstrom prior to joining the Firm. Askew focused his practice on business and commercial litigation, administrative law, and civil litigation, in addition to serving as a lobbyist. He has since accepted a position as the Vice President of Public Policy at a regional healthcare provider.

Krista Thompson was a law clerk to the Honorable Dale Sandstrom and the Honorable Judges of the South Central District. She focused her practice on general civil litigation. She has since went back to clerking for the State District Judges in Bismarck.

The 2010s Part One: The most recent decade

December 16, 2019/in Centennial, News /by Katelyn Pahl

The most recent decade has ushered in many young attorneys, a majority of whom are still with the Firm today.

Ramona Garcia-Furlong was a registered nurse who worked in critical care before pursuing her legal career. She was experienced in medical malpractice and general litigation. She went on to found her own private practice.

Rachel Bruner served as a law clerk to the Honorable Dan Hovland prior to joining the Firm. She focuses her practice on school law and wrote an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the National School Board Association. She was recently appointed by Governor Burgum to the North Dakota Parole Board.

Christina Sambor was a senior fellow with Polaris Project, worked as a law clerk, and was an associate attorney for a local firm before joining Pearce Durick. She was a 2014 Bush Fellow and used the opportunity to address human trafficking issues in North Dakota. She recently opened her own law and consulting practice in Bismarck.

Charles Carvell joined the Firm after a career in state government, during most of which he was Director of the Attorney General’s Division of Natural Resources and Indian Affairs, serving under Attorneys General Spaeth, Heitkamp, and Stenehjem.

Prior to joining the Firm, Ben Keup worked as a landman in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. He focuses his practice on property law, contracts, oil and gas, and estate planning and probate. He is active in the community through coaching his sons’ baseball and hockey teams.

After working for North Dakota’s non-profit civil legal services organization, Meredith Vukelic joined the Firm. She focuses her practice on education law and labor and employment law and is the Firm’s primary special education attorney. She also enjoys opportunities to present to groups on education and employment matters.

The 2000s: The Firm adds five

December 10, 2019/in Centennial, News /by Katelyn Pahl

The 2000s saw many young attorneys join the Firm including Leah Coghlan, Bonnie Christner, Tiffany Vinje née Johnson, Zack Pelham, and Chris Nyhus.

Prior to joining the Firm, Leah Coghlan clerked for the North Dakota Supreme Court. She went on to become an instructor at BSC.

Bonnie Christner joined the Firm after a brief clerkship. She moved into corporate counsel after leaving the Firm and currently works with a non-profile to provide tax preparation and advice.

Tiffany Vinje née Johnson joined the Firm out of law school. She had previously been part of a hearing in Fargo in which several law students from UND tried the case. She spent several years with the Firm before beginning her own practice with her husband.

Zack Pelham was a law clerk for the Honorable Judges of the South Central District and later a North Dakota assistant attorney general in the civil litigation division prior to joining the Firm. He was recognized in Prairie Business’s 40 under 40 providing leadership on the plains. Pelham recently served as the president of SBAND.

Chris Nyhus was an assistant state’s attorney in Morton County prior to joining the Firm. He taught business law at the University of Mary for a number of years in addition to his work with the Firm. Nyhus went on to open his own practice in Bismarck with a secondary office in Harvey, ND.

The 1990s: A decade of stability

December 2, 2019/in Centennial, News /by Katelyn Pahl

During the 1990s Michael McMahon and Jeff Transtrom joined the Firm.

Michael McMahon was in private practice for a number of years in Bismarck before moving back to his hometown of Helena, MT. there he opened a practice before he ran for and won a District Judgeship in Helena.

Jeff Transtrom went on from his time with the Firm to be an assistant states attorney and also spent some time with the Insurance Department. He is currently in the JAG Corps with the Navy.

The 1980s Part Two: A decade of growth

November 27, 2019/in Centennial, News /by Katelyn Pahl

The 1980s saw a number of attorneys join the Firm, many of which stayed for a number of years. These attorneys include Joel Gilbertson, Joy Wezelman, Larry Dopson, Dave Reich, Steve Easton, Jackie Pierce, Jerry Kettleson, Gary Thune, Larry Boschee, Lawrence Bender, and Janet Seaworth.

Jerry Kettleson served as assistant U.S. Attorney prior to joining he Firm. He was also active in various legal advisory groups and committees during his career. He stayed with the Firm until his retirement in 2012.

Gary Thune began his career in education as a math teacher and worked his way into school administration. He later went back to his law degree and focused his practice on school law. Thune was the first North Dakotan to hold the office of chairman of the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys.

Larry Boschee began his legal career as a law clerk to a federal judge in Fargo. He later joined the Firm and has become known as a leading litigation attorney in several areas. Boschee is a sustaining member of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) and a fellow of both the Litigation Counsel of American and the American Bar Foundation.

Lawrence Bender was an assistant attorney general and counsel for the North Dakota Industrial Commission, Oil and Gas Division and Board of University and School Lands prior to joining the Firm. He has since moved on to a different private practice in the area.

Janet Seaworth served as legal counsel and as a lobbyist for the North Dakota Beer Wholesalers Association during her time with the Firm. She was also an advocate for women’s economic well-being.