GET TO KNOW YOUR BOARD MEMBER
Ashley Lies SBAND Board Member
What is your current position ? President of the Southeast Judicial District Bar Association ( SEJDBA )
What is your hometown , college attended , and law school attended ? I was born in Flagstaff , Ariz ., and attended Northern Arizona University for my undergrad . I moved to North Dakota to attend the University of North Dakota School of Law , fell in love with a farmer , and made North Dakota my home .
What professional work did you do before law school ? I went to law school one year after obtaining my bachelor of science degree in business administration . For years prior , I nannied so many wonderful children ; I can ’ t think of a better job . The year leading up to law school , I spent a summer studying French in Quebec .
What led you to a career in law ? When I was six years old , I was attacked by a dog that had bit several other children . My parents had to sue to get the dog put down . I lost complete nerve movement on the right-side of my face . I couldn ’ t blink my eye or move any part of that side . I was sent to San Francisco to have a nerve transplant from my ankle to my neck to regain some movement . There , I shared a room with a young girl from Bosnia . Her brother and her had been playing in their yard during the Bosnian war ; a bomb was dropped , her brother was killed , and she lost both her legs . A family from the United States adopted her and were helping her gain the ability to walk again . Even at a young age , I was awed by the impact they had on her life . At that point , I decided I wanted to be an adoption lawyer .
In college , I interned at two law firms and also fell in love with real estate law . While I focus on real estate , I will always do adoptions for free . I feel the dog bite and meeting her led my life to where I am , and if I can help any family find their child or a child find their loving , forever home , there is nothing greater .
How long have you been on the SBAND Board ? I was just put on the board after I was elected SEJDBA President at our annual meeting in June . I am so excited to be a part of it for the next four years !
What other involvement have you had with SBAND prior to being on the board ? I have only been able to attend SBAND sponsored CLEs up to this point , but the staff has always been so amazing . I am thankful for this opportunity to get to know them more and work with other attorneys in our state .
What is your favorite quote ? “ To err is human , to forgive is divine .”
What is the last book you read ( good or bad )? Outside of law , one of my passions is fashion . With a background is business administration , the last book I read combined the two . It was called “ Future Luxe : What ’ s Ahead for the Business of Luxury .” It is a unique business read on luxury brands and their survival in the current economic climate .
LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTH DAKOTA HONORS RETIREES
Steve Simonson and Adele Page were recognized for their near 10 years of service to Legal Services of North Dakota ( LSND ) after retiring from the organization in March 2022 . Both Simonson and Page were established attorneys prior to being hired at the Fargo office of LSND in October 2012 by then Executive Director Jim Fitzsimmons . Simonson and Page were celebrated in a small gathering of past and present LSND Fargo office employees , family , and LSND Board President and attorney Tracy Laaveg .
JUDGE BRADY RECEIVES GAVEL FROM SBAND
Their collective achievements include successful management of the Fargo office and assistance to the administration of LSND , execution of the bankruptcy grant , securing and effecting the first , and thus far , only medical-legal partnership in North Dakota , and the successful practice of law in service to thousands of clients and case matters in furtherance of LSND ’ s mission .
SBAND Past-President Hon . Doug Bahr , right , presents East Central Judicial District Judge Reid Brady with the traditional SBAND Gavel . Judge Brady was not able to have a formal investiture ceremony , so the presentation was made at a recent Cass County Bar meeting .
32 THE GAVEL