YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
Membership in the Young Lawyers Section( YLS) is automatic with licensure in North Dakota for attorneys who are 35 years of age or younger or have practiced law for five years or less. YLS hosts social events across the state, providing networking opportunities for young lawyers. If you are interested in hosting an event in your area, please contact the YLS board at younglawyersnd @ gmail. com. YLS also hosts continuing legal education webinars, which are free for YLS members. All lawyers are encouraged to participate in these webinars to earn CLE credits.
MICHAEL STUDER
Michael Studer is an associate attorney at the Serkland Law Firm in Fargo. He manages a diverse caseload ranging from complex commercial disputes, insurance defense, probate and trust litigation, and various family law matters.
Prior to joining Serkland, Studer practiced in northwest Minnesota, where he litigated a wide variety of civil matters and served as a municipal prosecutor, gaining valuable courtroom experience in both civil and criminal proceedings.
A Minnesota native, he earned his J. D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2021, graduating in the top 10 of his class. While in law school, he had two articles published with the North Dakota Law Review and competed in moot court. He also gained early legal experience through internships with the Honorable Judge Elizabeth Cutter and the Valspar Corporation’ s legal team in Minneapolis.
Outside the office, Studer is usually losing golf balls, shopping for new vinyl, or hanging out with his cat, Lex.
KENESSA COPELAND
Kenessa Copeland is a Ward County Assistant State’ s Attorney in Minot. She grew up in Sutherland, Nebraska, and earned her bachelor of arts degree with highest distinction in communication studies from the University of Nebraska in 2021.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Copeland earned her J. D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2024. Additionally, she obtained a mediation and family mediation certificate during law school. During law school, Copeland also served as a competition chair for moot court and was a student attorney for the National Trial Team. She served as a student attorney for the Nebraska College of Law Criminal & Advanced Criminal Clinic where she gained experience in the Lancaster County Attorney’ s Office. Copeland worked as a legal extern during the summer of 2022 for the Judge Advocate General Corps on Minot Air Force Base.
In her spare time, she enjoys being active, playing pickleball, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband, Cooper, friends, and family.
YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
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