New SBAND President Zack Pelham: Continuing to foster Association involvement and interaction
Can you tell me about your background and family?
I have a very supportive wife of nearly 17 years who I can thank for introducing me to North Dakota. I grew up in Michigan, and we met at college in Indiana. We made the right decision to move to Grand Forks where we both received graduate degrees from the University of North Dakota – mine in law, hers in public administration. From there we moved to Bismarck, her hometown. I began my legal career clerking for the judges of the South Central Judicial District Court and then working for the North Dakota Office of Attorney General’ s Civil Litigation Division. I’ m thankful to be at my current firm, Pearce Durick, where I have been since 2007. We have four wonderful kids who keep us on our toes.( Okay, any parent of young kids knows it is basically controlled chaos – no different for us.)
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
Reality and my love for researching and writing. I graduated with a double major in history and international studies and was all set to serve in Haiti with the Peace Corps. Instead, I filled in as a substitute teacher for a year as I completed law school applications, got married, and went off to law school. The beauty of the law is the ability to mold the facts that we are dealt into cohesive and coherent argument. I trace my advocacy skills to my New Jersey born mother and my common sense to my Michigan born father. It’ s a combo that has served me well.
The Pelham Family
What type of law do you practice?
I’ m a litigator, mostly civil and mostly defense, but that doesn’ t define my practice. My practice is focused on reaching solutions for my clients who are many times going through difficult situations they usually have no desire to be involved in. Communication forms the most important tool for a practitioner. Too many problems are created through poor communication. Most problems are solved by effective communication. Often, the near forgotten art of listening is the most important component for effective communication. Am I perfect? Of course not, but I often realize the missing link for a solution is found in communication. That’ s the type of law I try to practice.
What has drawn you to your involvement in SBAND? How have you stayed active in SBAND?
I started my practice as an out-of-state unknown at a time when the drum in North Dakota was all the“ young people” were leaving. I became involved in many different legal and non-legal local and state organizations, including SBAND. I served on annual meeting planning committees, the information services committee, the ethics committee, and the board of governors. I also serve on the Court’ s joint procedure committee.
SBAND is a great networking opportunity. There is opportunity within SBAND at many levels. If you aren’ t selected for a committee you apply for, apply again( I did). Advancing your career through service with SBAND is attainable for any member. Getting to know other attorneys in other parts of the state is beneficial from a professional and personal standpoint. SBAND’ s mission is to promote justice and to serve the lawyers and citizens of North Dakota. Our committees and sections do just that. SBAND allows each of us to play a small part in an overall goal of achieving SBAND’ s important mission.
What are your goals as SBAND president this year?
I want to continue to“ show the flag” of SBAND. SBAND is bigger than its president, but I believe it is up to the president to push involvement and interaction to help influence making the association better. There are numerous committees and sections available for involvement. Getting a broad array of experienced and less experienced attorneys involved will foster continued relevance for our association and allow for individual attorneys to better their skillset through engagement.
6 THE GAVEL