News About SBAND Members
COMMUNITY CORNER
News About SBAND Members
One of North Dakota’ s most seasoned lobbyists and his protégé have joined forces to form a new law firm that will focus exclusively on government relations in North Dakota.
Joel Gilbertson, who has done government affairs work for 40 years, and Levi Andrist, with six years of experience, have formed GA Group in Bismarck. Both men previously worked for the Vogel Law Firm in Bismarck. GA Group represents clients in health care, telecommunications and technology, agriculture, biotechnology, economic development, energy, and insurance. Their practice focuses entirely on legislative and executive-branch advocacy, government regulatory issues, and working on ballot measures and issue campaigns.
Serkland Law Firm, with offices in Fargo and Bismarck, has selected Peter W. Zuger as a shareholder in the firm. Peter’ s practice is centered primarily on litigation where he focuses on commercial, corporate, products liability, insurance defense, and professional malpractice defense. Before joining Serkland Law Firm in 2009, he served as a law clerk for the South Central Judicial District in Bismarck. A native of Bismarck, he graduated from the University of Mary and went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law. Peter is the chair of the North Dakota Pattern Jury Instruction Commission, and he is recognized as a Rising Star in Great Plains Super Lawyers.
Gilbertson has been assisting clients and firms in achieving their public policy goals since 1976. In addition, he is a past president of SBAND, has served on the Board of Regents of Concordia College, and has been a director of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. He is an accomplished pianist, having released five CDs, and is president of Jeremiah Wine Company, which makes and distributes wine from the Napa Valley. Joel and his wife, Jan, have two adult children and four grandchildren.
Levi Andrist is a former member of the SBAND’ s Board of Governors, and currently serves as chair of the State-Wide Pro Bono Committee. He earned the outstanding committee chair in 2014 for his efforts in addressing access to justice in North Dakota. Levi clerked for Chief Justice Gerald W. VandeWalle of the North Dakota Supreme Court. Levi and his wife, Bethany, are former Burning Hills Singers in the Medora Musical, and with their sons Theodore and Arthur, are active at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck.
ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE
Growing AV-rated firm in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is seeking an associate with two to five years of experience in civil litigation. Strong academic credential and oral and written skills required. Confidential inquiries, including resume’ and cover letter detailing experience should be directed to Jean Brockmueller, Cutler Law Firm, LLP, P. O. Box 1400, Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1400 or to JeanB @ cutlerlawfirm. com.
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