Spring 2018 Gavel Final Spring 2018 Gavel | Page 27

YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
DEREK STEINER CLAIRE SMITH
Derek Steiner is an Assistant State’s
Attorney for Burleigh County in
Bismarck, where he is responsible
for prosecuting a wide variety
of criminal cases. In addition to
prosecuting criminal cases, he
also researches various matters for
Burleigh County. Claire Smith is an associate
attorney at Dorsey &
Whitney LLP in Fargo. She
practices primarily in labor
and employment, but
also handles general civil
litigation matters.
Steiner grew up and attended high
school in Fargo. After high school, he attended the University
of North Dakota (UND) where he graduated cum laude with a
major in criminal justice studies. He then graduated cum laude
from the UND School of Law in 2016.
During his time in law school, Steiner completed two
externships. First, he worked for the chambers of the Honorable
Kermit Bye of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Second, he
worked for the Judges of the Northeast Central Judicial District.
He also spent a summer working as a law clerk for the Cass
County State’s Attorney’s Office. Aside from his work experience
during law school, he enjoyed his time serving on Student
Senate as the law school representative for two years.
In his free time, Steiner enjoys spending time with his friends
and family, including his two nieces. He also enjoys spending
time outdoors, particularly at the golf course.
Smith grew up in Wadena,
Minn. and attended the
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, where she earned
dual degrees in political science and liberal studies.
Following undergraduate school, Smith and her family
moved to Grand Forks where she attended the University
of North Dakota School of Law. While in law school, Smith
served as an extern for the United States District Court in
Fargo and was an editor on the North Dakota Law Review.
After graduating from law school, Smith worked as a
judicial law clerk for the East Central Judicial District in
Fargo. Following her clerkship, Smith joined Dorsey’s
Fargo office in 2015.
In her free time, Smith enjoys spending time with her
family and shuffling her two children to their many
activities. She also enjoys reading, spending time
outdoors, and working on home decorating projects.
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