YOUNG LAWYER SHOWCASE
The SBAND Young Lawyers Section ( YLS ) continues to grow and prosper , and we hope to continue our successful involvement in our communities in 2017 .
The YLS Community Service Committee will host the Fourth Annual Feed Your Community Food and Fund Drive this spring . YLS will once again partner with the Great Plains Food Bank to help feed those in need in our local
communities . YLS is excited to continue this worthwhile event this spring . To become involved in the food drive or for more information , contact the Community Service Committee Co-Chairs Taylor Olson at taylor @ furusethlaw . com or Cassie Marka at cmarka @ northdakotalaw . net .
YLS will continue to host monthly luncheons and happy hours across the state . These social events serve as a great way to interact with other young lawyers in the community . If you are interested in hosting , contact YLS Secretary-Treasurer Meredith Childress at mkchildress @ nd . gov .
Contact Jill Martin , YLS president-elect , at jill _ martin @ ndd . uscourts . gov to recommend young lawyers for future showcases or to get involved in YLS .
MATTHEW ZIMNEY
Matthew Zimney was raised in Henderson , Nev . He earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice with a minor in political science , while playing football at Jamestown College . He then moved to Grand Forks to obtain his juris doctorate at the University of North Dakota in 2015 . While in law school , Zimney worked as a clerk at Robert Vogel Law Office . He now practices at Wilson Law Firm in Garrison , with a primary focus in family law and personal injury . Zimney is also the Municipal Judge for Garrison .
Zimney lives outside of Garrison with his wife , Melanie , and son , Derek . He enjoys watching the Colts , fishing , hunting , and engaging in the outdoors with his family .
MICHELLE MAHLEN
Michelle Mahlen is an associate attorney with Pearson Christensen , PLLP , in Grand Forks . Her practice areas include federal civil litigation and trusts and estates .
Prior to joining Pearson and Christensen , Mahlen completed three consecutive state trial court judicial clerkships . This included one for the judges of the Southwest Judicial District in North Dakota , one in Yellowstone County , Mont ., and one in Minnesota ’ s Ninth Judicial District .
In 2006 , Mahlen received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in secondary education . She was a teacher for three years before deciding to go to law school . Mahlen earned her juris doctor from the University of North Dakota ( UND ) School of Law in 2013 . While in law school , she participated in the Central Legal Research program at UND ; completed a summer internship at Montana Legal Services in Billings , Mont .; and completed a summer internship with the Montana Department of Commerce in Helena , Mont .
In her spare time , Mahlen likes photography , getting together with her family and friends , and beachcombing the shores of Lake Superior .
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