YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
Membership in the Young Lawyers Section( YLS) is automatic with licensure in North Dakota for attorneys who are 35 years of age or younger or have practiced law for five years or less. YLS hosts social events across the state, providing networking opportunities for young lawyers. If you are interested in hosting an event in your area, please contact the YLS board at younglawyersnd @ gmail. com. YLS also hosts continuing legal education webinars, which are free for YLS members. All lawyers are encouraged to participate in these webinars to earn CLE credits.
EMERSON SOLEMSAAS
Emerson Solemsaas is an assistant state’ s attorney in Grand Forks County. She graduated magna cum laude from North Dakota State University in 2020, where she majored in political science and English with a minor in sociology. After completing her undergraduate degree, Solemsaas earned her juris doctorate from the University of North Dakota( UND) School of Law in 2024.
During her time at UND, Solemsaas was a member of the trial team and competed in the Carrigan Cup Competition where her team won overall champion, best plaintiff team, and best defense team in 2023 and 2024. Solemsaas was also a member of the North Dakota Law Review and had her“ Note Ambiguity in the Presentation of Evidence: Why North Dakota Should Follow the Federal Judiciary’ s Guidance Regarding the Presentation of Evidence in State Court Matters” published in Volume 99, Number 2 of the North Dakota Law Review. Based on her accomplishments while at UND, Solemsaas was inducted as a member of the Order of the Barristers.
Solemsaas was admitted to the North Dakota Bar in September 2024. Her caseload at the State’ s Attorney’ s Office primarily consists of crimes against property and drug crimes. During her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and cooking.
VICTORIA CHRISTIAN
Victoria Christian serves as counsel for the North Dakota Legislative Council, where her portfolio includes human services, health and safety, protection and advocacy, probate, alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. She is also involved with the National Conference of State Legislatures as a Youth Homelessness Fellow and serves as staff vice chair for the National Children, Families and Human Services Standing Committee.
Christian grew up in Grand Forks and attended the University of North Dakota( UND) where she earned bachelor ' s degrees with honors in public affairs and biology and a master ' s degree in public administration with an emphasis in health policy. She received her juris doctorate from the UND School of Law, where she graduated cum laude in May 2024. During law school, she was president of the Student Bar Association, competed in moot court, and was a member of the Law Women ' s Caucus. Christian served as in intern during the 2023 Legislative Session and has been with Legislative Council since her admission to the North Dakota Bar in September 2024.
Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and cats; coaching [ solidcore ]; tackling house projects; gardening; and traveling.
YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
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