YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
The Young Lawyers Section ( YLS ) continues to host social events across the state , providing great networking opportunities for young lawyers . If you are interested in hosting or attending an event , please contact the Young Lawyers Section at younglawyersnd @ gmail . com . In addition , YLS will be hosting webinars on a variety of topics . All lawyers are encouraged to participate in these webinars to earn continuing legal education credits .
If you would like to recommend young lawyers to be featured in future showcases or if you would like to get involved in YLS , please contact YLS President Nick Surma at nsurma @ vogellaw . com .
MARISSA CERKONEY
Marissa Cerkoney is an attorney with Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers in Dickinson , where she handles a wide range of cases but primarily focuses on estate planning , probates , business solutions , and guardianships / conservatorships . She is licensed to practice in North Dakota and Minnesota .
Cerkoney was born and raised in Dickinson and graduated from Dickinson High School in 2011 . She attended the University of North Dakota ( UND ) for her undergraduate , where she earned a bachelor ’ s degree in psychology in 2015 . She then earned her juris doctor in 2018 from the UND School of Law .
During law school , Cerkoney worked as a law clerk for a private law firm in Grand Forks . She also served as a judicial extern to Judge Tamara L . Yon of Minnesota ’ s Ninth Judicial District before rounding out her law school career as a law clerk for the Cass County North Dakota State ’ s Attorney ’ s office in Fargo . Prior to joining Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers , Cerkoney worked as an attorney in Fargo where she focused on elder law , estate planning , guardianships , and trust law , including special needs trusts for the disabled .
Cerkoney moved back to Dickinson when she joined Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers in 2019 . Since then , she has been working towards reaching new heights , whether that be figuratively through stepping up at her firm , or literally through training to climb the Seven Summits . In her free time , she enjoys making charcuterie boards , spending time at her family ’ s lake cabin , traveling to new and exciting places with her husband , Zach , and playing with her dog , Foxy .
NICK SURMA
Nick Surma is an associate at Vogel Law Firm in Bismarck , focusing his practice on commercial and construction litigation . In addition to litigation , Surma drafts and negotiates construction contracts and advises clients on how to handle a variety of issues that arise during complex construction projects . Surma has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Great Plains “ Rising Star ” and is a member of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law . Surma also serves as president of the SBAND Young Lawyers Section and is a member of the Big Muddy Bar Association .
Surma grew up in Sartell , Minn . He attended the University of North Dakota ( UND ), graduating magna cum laude in 2015 with majors in economics and political science . He went on to attend the UND School of Law , earning his juris doctor in 2019 . In law school , Surma served as managing editor of the “ North Dakota Law Review ” and president of the Student Bar Association . After graduating law school , he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Chief Justice Gerald W . VandeWalle of the North Dakota Supreme Court .
Surma and his fiancé have two sons and enjoy traveling as a family . When not spending time with family , he spends his free time on the golf course or , come fall , in the field with his four-legged friend , Tucker , as an avid waterfowl and upland bird hunter .
YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
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