YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
The SBAND Young Lawyers Section( YLS) continues to grow and prosper, and we hope to continue our successful involvement in our communities in 2017.
The YLS Community Service Committee will host the Fourth Annual Feed Your Community Food and Fund Drive this spring. YLS will once again partner with the Great Plains Food Bank to help feed those in need in our local
communities. YLS is excited to continue this worthwhile event this spring. To become involved in the food drive or for more information, contact the Community Service Committee Co-Chairs Taylor Olson at taylor @ furusethlaw. com or Cassie Marka at cmarka @ northdakotalaw. net.
YLS will continue to host monthly luncheons and happy hours across the state. These social events serve as a great way to interact with other young lawyers in the community. If you are interested in hosting, contact YLS Secretary-Treasurer Meredith Childress at mkchildress @ nd. gov.
Contact Jill Martin, YLS president-elect, at jill _ martin @ ndd. uscourts. gov to recommend young lawyers for future showcases or to get involved in YLS.
MATTHEW ZIMNEY
Matthew Zimney was raised in Henderson, Nev. He earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice with a minor in political science, while playing football at Jamestown College. He then moved to Grand Forks to obtain his juris doctorate at the University of North Dakota in 2015. While in law school, Zimney worked as a clerk at Robert Vogel Law Office. He now practices at Wilson Law Firm in Garrison, with a primary focus in family law and personal injury. Zimney is also the Municipal Judge for Garrison.
Zimney lives outside of Garrison with his wife, Melanie, and son, Derek. He enjoys watching the Colts, fishing, hunting, and engaging in the outdoors with his family.
MICHELLE MAHLEN
Michelle Mahlen is an associate attorney with Pearson Christensen, PLLP, in Grand Forks. Her practice areas include federal civil litigation and trusts and estates.
Prior to joining Pearson and Christensen, Mahlen completed three consecutive state trial court judicial clerkships. This included one for the judges of the Southwest Judicial District in North Dakota, one in Yellowstone County, Mont., and one in Minnesota’ s Ninth Judicial District.
In 2006, Mahlen received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in secondary education. She was a teacher for three years before deciding to go to law school. Mahlen earned her juris doctor from the University of North Dakota( UND) School of Law in 2013. While in law school, she participated in the Central Legal Research program at UND; completed a summer internship at Montana Legal Services in Billings, Mont.; and completed a summer internship with the Montana Department of Commerce in Helena, Mont.
In her spare time, Mahlen likes photography, getting together with her family and friends, and beachcombing the shores of Lake Superior.
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