Aug 20, 2025
Vogel Law Firm is pleased to announce that Chief Justice Jon Jensen has appointed Luke Heck, a shareholder in the firm’s criminal defense practice, to serve on the North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents (CLCI). Luke joins fellow criminal defense attorney Mark Friese as one of the two appointees from the judicial system who now represent the court’s oversight arm of indigent defense services in the state.
Established in 2005, the CLCI is a seven-member body responsible for developing and overseeing the delivery of state-funded legal defense services for individuals who cannot afford counsel, in both adult and juvenile cases in North Dakota’s state courts The Commission sets standards for eligibility, counselor qualifications, caseload management, public defender operations, and more, ensuring adherence to constitutional and statutory mandates. Vogel Law’s attorney Bruce Quick served as the Commission’s first chairman when it was formed.
About Luke Heck
Luke Heck is a dedicated criminal defense attorney and shareholder at Vogel Law Firm’s Fargo office, where he tirelessly advocates for his clients across North Dakota, Minnesota, and the federal District of North Dakota. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (Economics & Global Business) from Jamestown College and a law degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, where he concentrated in criminal law. He is admitted to practice in North Dakota, Minnesota, and in the U.S. District Court for North Dakota.
Luke’s recognition in the legal field includes being named a Great Plains Rising Star® by Thomson/Reuters in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, and being honored as one of Prairie Business magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2021.
Continuing Vogel Law’s Legacy
Luke’s appointment reaffirms Vogel Law Firm’s longstanding dedication to indigent defense and public service. With both Luke Heck and Mark Friese now serving on the Commission, the firm continues its tradition of shaping and preserving access to justice.
About the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents
The CLCI is tasked with crafting and enforcing the standards for providing legal counsel to eligible defendants who cannot afford representation. It manages statewide delivery of services, including establishing public defender offices, contracting qualified attorneys, overseeing caseloads, and overseeing budget requests.