New SBAND President Jennifer Albaugh :
A focus on rural recruitment and wellness in the legal profession
Can you tell me about your background and family ? I am originally from Beulah , North Dakota . I graduated from Beulah High School in 2004 , and attended college at the University of North Dakota ( UND ). In 2009 , I graduated with a bachelor of arts in English and bachelor of science in criminal justice studies . I have minors in American Sign Language and sociology . I continued my education at the UND School of Law in the fall of 2009 . During law school , I was active in Law Women ’ s Caucus and “ Law Review .” I clerked for Robert Vogel Law Office , and later worked for the Grand Forks County State ’ s Attorney ’ s Office as the senior legal intern . I earned my juris doctor cum laude from the UND School of Law in 2012 . Following graduation , I clerked for the judges of the South Central Judicial District . In August 2013 , I moved to Fargo to clerk for the Honorable Judge Ralph R . Erickson when he served as the United States District Court Judge for the District of North Dakota . I entered private practice in spring 2015 , and have practiced exclusively in the area of family law since that time . Presently , I am a shareholder at ABST Law in Fargo .
I have two children , Hudson ( 8 ) and Sloane ( 5 going on 15 ), who keep me running . Hudson plays flag football , hockey , baseball , and golf . Sloane doesn ’ t like to get sweaty and smelly , so she opts to participate in dance . We have an 87-pound chocolate Labrador named Mac who turns three in September . He loves to swim , chase the kids , and eat my expensive shoes . When I am not busy running around after Hudson and Sloane , I like to golf , go to the lake , entertain , spend time with friends and family , and just relax . I ’ d be remiss if I didn ’ t mention my boyfriend , Zach , who plays a large role in helping me wrangle the troops .
What inspired you to pursue a career in law ? Like most second-grade students , I had no idea what I wanted to do when I “ grew up .” I remember one day our school counselor had my class take a personality test , and your answers to the questions would suggest a certain career . My results unequivocally suggested I pursue a career as either an attorney or judge . If you know me , you know I am a planner , and from that day , being an attorney was the plan and it never changed .
What has drawn you to be involved in SBAND ? How have you stayed active in SBAND ? When I first joined the board of governors , I was simply looking for a way to be more involved in our legal community . I have stayed active in SBAND by remaining on the board of governors , moving into the role of president-elect , and now becoming president . I anticipate after I am no longer able to be on the board of governors , I will find another position that allows me to be involved in SBAND .
What are your goals as SBAND president over the next year ? This is a difficult question because SBAND does so many wonderful things on an annual basis , I simply can ’ t pinpoint a certain goal .
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