Advice for YOUNG LAWYERS
Friese says he encourages law students and young lawyers to become involved and participate in SBAND and local bar activities, participate in church and civic organizations, and spend time sharing their experiences and education.
Friese, back row, third from left, with the North Dakota Army National Guard Judge Advocate General Section in Bismarck in 2010.
Dakota Supreme Court Justice Dale Sandstrom. He and his family then moved to Fargo where he joined the Vogel Law Firm.“ I specialized in criminal defense but have also litigated personal injury, professional liability, and employment matters,” he says.“ Early in my career, I represented several political subdivisions and employees in negligence, civil rights, and similar claims. As a military lawyer, I represented soldiers and commanders in disciplinary and discharge proceedings, legal readiness, and family law matters.”
Since becoming a lawyer, Friese has also served as an adjunct at the University of Mary( Fargo campus), North Dakota State University, and UND School of Law.“ Throughout private practice, I was a member of the Cass County Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,” he notes.
Friese has been a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota( SBAND) since 2000, and in conjunction with the North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel
Friese presenting with his mentor, Bruce Quick, at North Dakota State University in 2018.
for Indigents, routinely instructed at SBAND training seminars.“ Between 2010 and my appointment to the Supreme Court, I served as the Criminal Justice Act Panel representative for the district of North Dakota,” he says.“ In that capacity, I served as a liaison between private lawyers who accept federal district court appointments to represent indigent defendants prosecuted in federal court. The appointment included regular interaction with the federal court, practitioners, and representatives from the 94 federal districts.”
He has also served on the East Central Judicial District Adult Drug Court Advisory Board since 2003. Friese notes, during his law career, he learned the importance of staying involved.“ SBAND and other law organizations fill a critical role by providing education, resources, mentoring, and assistance to lawyers who strive to professionally serve in their wide-ranging capacities.”
The advice of a trusted mentor he met as a new lawyer has also stuck with him throughout his career, he notes.“ I went to law school intending to prosecute. I met Bruce Quick, who served as an adjunct professor. Bruce changed my plan and my life,” he notes.“ Throughout my lifetime, I have had the privilege and benefit of having countless mentors and role models, with my parents as most important. In my legal career, no person has provided me more counsel, guidance, education, and advice than Bruce.”
Friese says he continues to share the following advice, imparted by his mentor, with law students and young lawyers:
• Losing a case is ephemeral but losing your reputation is forever. Do not lie, cheat, or mislead opposing counsel or the court.
• Do not stand on a soapbox when you win a case. The case is about the parties, victims, and those impacted by the decision, it is not about the lawyers.
• Never publicly criticize the court, opposing counsel, a victim, or a jury.
• Comply with your ethical obligations in everything you do.
• Difficult ethical questions must always be decided with understanding of paramount obligations owed to the client.
• Preserve the client’ s privilege at all costs.
• If you must, write the nasty response letter. But set it aside for a day and review it again with a clear head. If you think you should still send it, edit it and have a trusted colleague review it. Wait one more day. By the third day, hopefully you’ ve regained composure and will discard the nasty letter or temper your comments accordingly.
• Don’ t stop learning. Attend seminars, seek education, read cases as they are decided, consult with colleagues, and challenge yourself to learn.
• Do not miss your kids’ band concerts, sporting events, or teacher’ s conferences. The most important part of your life is your faith and your family. Supplement the most important part with your vocation.
• Seek out and rely on a trusted mentor and confidant.
• Gain experience and share it with others.
• Be prepared. Know the case better than your opponent. Preparation yields success, or at a minimum, makes the process far more comfortable.
• Stay humble.
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