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 Katie Carpenter at katcarpenter @ nd . gov .
ELISE FISCHER
Elise Fischer is an assistant state ’ s attorney for Morton County and is the presidentelect of the Young Lawyers Section . Prior to serving as a prosecutor for Morton County , she was an associate attorney at a law firm in Bismarck primarily practicing family law , assisting families with divorce , custody , adoption , guardianships , and paternity actions .
Fischer grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area , where she was actively involved in swimming and Girl Scouts throughout her high school years . She moved to North Dakota to attend the University of Mary , where she received a bachelor ’ s degree in criminal justice with minors in psychology and public policy in 2018 . During her time at the University of Mary , Fischer volunteered as a troop leader for a Girl Scout troop in Bismarck . She graduated from the University of North Dakota ( UND ) School of Law in 2021 . During law school , Fischer was a member of UND ’ s Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity national trial team and worked as a law clerk at Johnston Family Law in Grand Forks .
She lives in Mandan with her husband , Zach , and two very spoiled dogs , Ellie and Angus . Zach owns a fireworks business that Fischer enjoys helping him operate in the summertime . Last summer , they had the honor of putting on the fireworks display for Wishek ’ s quasquicentennial celebration . Outside of work , she enjoys spending time with friends and family , baking , gardening , and Disney vacations .
JOSEPH HACKMAN
YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
Joseph Hackman is an associate attorney with ABST Law in Fargo . Hackman is currently licensed in North Dakota and Minnesota and focuses his practice primarily on commercial litigation , civil litigation , bankruptcy , and family law . He is also a member of the Cass County Bar Association and the Ronald N . Davies Inn of Court .
Hackman was raised in Bottineau . He graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Dakota ( UND ) in 2017 , where he earned a bachelor of business administration with an emphasis in finance and served as vice president of finance for UND ’ s Student Managed Investment Fund . Following a short stint with U . S . Bank , Hackman attended the UND School of Law , where he served as student articles editor and co-symposium editor of the “ North Dakota Law Review ,” vice president of the student bar association , and treasurer of the Phi Delta Phi Honor Society . Hackman was also a member of UND Law ’ s Trial Team and competed in internal Moot Court , earning the Best Appellee Brief award with his partner . He externed with both the district court and bankruptcy court for the District of North Dakota and was a summer associate at a Bismarck firm . Hackman graduated magna cum laude from UND Law in 2021 and was recognized for graduating first in his class . Upon graduation , he was inducted into the Order of Barristers and the Order of the Coif .
Prior to joining ABST Law , Hackman served as law clerk to the Honorable Justice Lisa Fair McEvers of the North Dakota Supreme Court . In his free time , you can find him spending time with his family and friends , sifting through used record shops , and wrenching on his Bronco .
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