COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
This award recognizes outstanding volunteer service that has enhanced the quality of life in the recipients ’ communities . The award is given to individuals who have displayed adherence to the highest professional standards during their careers and who have displayed a long-term commitment to volunteer service outside the legal profession in their community .
SAM GERESZEK Northeast Central Judicial District
Sam Gereszek , along with Grand Forks Judge Don Hager and Grand Forks Assistant State ’ s Attorney and State Representative Zach Itsa , has spearheaded the creation of the firstin-North Dakota Veteran ’ s Treatment Court ( Vet Court ). Gereszek is taking on the role of mentor / coordinator / facilitator , ensuring the entire court process works .
Vet Court , which operates similar to a drug court , provides veterans charged with a crime the opportunity to enter the Vet Court system , and provides resources and assistance from the Department of Veteran Affairs ( VA ) ( and other resources ) for medical , counselling , addiction , and psychological care / treatments . Vet Court is partnered with the VA , American Legion , Amvets , Disabled American Veterans ( DAV ), Veterans of Foreign Wars ( VFW ), and the Grand Forks County Veteran ’ s Services office .
Gereszek was an important and leading figure in the more-than-twoyear process of developing the Vet Court program , which will address an underlying need that has existed for a long time . PTSD , addiction , and other psychological issues suffered by returning combat veterans often lead to criminal behavior and this program pairs veterans with resources available through the VA and other organizations .
Gereszek is an Iraq War combat veteran , former Army officer , and former ROTC leader at the University of North Dakota . He is a sole practitioner in Grand Forks concentrating mostly in criminal defense .
AARON ROSELAND Southwest Judicial District
Sam Gereszek , left , accepts the Community Service Award from Past-President Hon . Doug Bahr .
Aaron Roseland is an attorney practicing in Hettinger . After graduating from rural Faulkton , S . D ., Roseland attended the University of South Dakota where he graduated with honors with a major in political science and double minors in economics and speech communication . He attended law school at the University of South Dakota and received his juris doctorate in 2009 . Since August 8 , 2009 , he has proudly served the people of Adams County as their state ’ s attorney . Since 2012 , Roseland has served on the North Dakota State ' s Attorney ' s Association Board of Directors and , in 2016-2017 , served as board president . He has also served on the Legislative Committee on Sentencing Alternatives , and on the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Advisory Board .
Roseland is a partner in Melling & Roseland Law , P . C ., established in 2019 . He has served as the Corson County , S . D ., public defender since 2020 and works extensively in criminal defense in northwest South Dakota .
Roseland volunteers as a youth wrestling coach for the Hettinger Huskies and is currently the president of the Hettinger Pin Club . He has served as a member of the Jaycees , Chamber of Commerce , Hettinger School Board , and Masonic Lodge . Roseland also coached the Hettinger High School Mock Trial Team to its first ever state tournament championship .
TRAVIS PETERSON Southeast Judicial District
Travis Peterson is an attorney with Peterson Law Offices PC in New Rockford . Since 2000 , he has served on the board of directors for the 4th Corporation in New Rockford , a non-profit which provides support services to adults with developmental disabilities . He has also served as a firefighter for the New Rockford Fire Department since 1999 and has been the department ’ s treasurer since 2000 . From 1998 to 2006 , he served on the board of directors for the community ’ s Good Shepherd Foundation Inc , and was a member of the Kiwanis Club from 1998 to 2004 . He is also involved in coaching youth sports in his community and has served as a youth football , baseball / T-ball , and basketball coach .
TAYLOR OLSON North Central Judicial District
Taylor Olson is devoted to her hometown of Williston and is an advocate for access to justice . Olson works to improve the life of rural North Dakota and promote civic engagement by volunteering on the Williston State College Foundation , Williston Coyote Foundation , Williston Area Economic Diversification Group , Leadership Williston Ethics chair , State Bar Association of North Dakota , Judicial Ethics Committee , Attorney Standards Committee , North Dakota Disciplinary Counsel Trustee , and Babe Ruth World Series Committee .
Taylor Olson , center , accepts her award from North Central Judicial District Rep . Deb Hoffarth , left , and Hon . Doug Bahr , right .
In addition to the practice of law , she is also an adjunct professor at Williston State College . Olson has served on the executive search committees for Williston State College and the University of North Dakota School of Law . She has served as a tribal judge , municipal judge , state ’ s attorney , and city attorney .
These experiences , along with her work in private practice , revealed the need for attorneys in rural areas . Olson spearheaded the work to draft and pass the North Dakota Rural Attorney Recruitment Program , which will help rural communities recruit attorneys to provide services to communities , cities , and counties .
SUMMER 2022 11