Congratulations Mark Friese, Criminal Defense Attorney, for receiving the 2023 North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Meritorious Service Coin Award for his contributions to North Dakota drug courts.  Drug Court Coordinator Kristen Keimele nominated Mark in recognition of his service on the East Central Judicial District Adult Drug Court Advisory Board for more than…

On August 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) proposed a new rule, which, if implemented, would raise the Fair Labor Standard Act’s (“FLSA”) salary threshold for exempt employees and make more employees eligible for minimum wage and overtime premiums. The proposed rule addresses Section 13(a)(1) of the FLSA, which exempts certain white-collar salaried…

Physician recruitment throughout North Dakota can be a major challenge. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) play an important role in addressing this challenge. Immigration programs like the Conrad State 30 J-1 waiver program offer support to employers seeking to recruit an IMG physician. Employment lawyer KrisAnn Norby-Jahner asks her law partner and immigration lawyer, Michelle Scimecca,…

The honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action. -Aristotle Our firm is proud to have 17 lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® and 9 lawyers recognized in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2024 editions. These recognitions by Best Lawyers signify excellence in practice and are…

After many years of practicing law exclusively in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death, we are frequently asked the same types of questions, so we put together short answers to many of those questions for your convenience. This is not meant to replace a free personal consultation to discuss your case but only…

Motorcyclists in the U.S. face grim statistics: They are five times more likely to be injured per mile traveled than a motor vehicle driver. A standard car or truck offers a great deal more injury protection for its drivers than a motorcycle does, which contributes to the severity of motorcycle injuries. The National Safety Council…

In our practice of representing accident victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death cases, we have seen many situations where the “at-fault” driver does not carry enough liability coverage to fully compensate our clients or their families for the injuries or deaths suffered. In those cases, the “at-fault” driver is considered “underinsured”…

Major changes to the Minnesota Lawful Consumable Products Act (“CPA”) and the Minnesota Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act (“DATWA”) will go into effect this week on August 1, 2023, in conjunction with the legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota. As Minnesota becomes the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, here is what…

Mark Friese was awarded the Richard S. Arnold Award for Distinguished Service at the Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference in Bloomington, Minnesota, on July 14, 2023. The Eighth Circuit Bar Association has presented Richard S. Arnold Awards for Distinguished Service to 10 deserving individuals, one from each judicial district within the Eighth Circuit, since 2010. The…

Congratulations Brenda Blazer for receiving the 2023 Prairie Business Leaders & Legacies award! This award is only given to top executives in the region that have established a high-level of leadership throughout one’s career influencing lives and impacting livelihoods. Only seven business leaders in the region were honored with this award. Congratulations Brenda and thank…