comparatively low debt – about $66,000 at UND and $57,000 at
USD, far lower than the $160,000 that many graduates of private law
schools incur.
That’s hugely important. “For a new lawyer, there’s a big difference
between owing tens of thousands of dollars and owing hundreds of
thousands of dollars,” said Mac Schneider, a Grand Forks attorney
and former North Dakota state senator.
A lawyer who owes little can choose lower-paying options such as
assistant state’s attorney, the nonprofit sector or rural practice.
A lawyer who owes lots knows it’s corporate law or bust.
Schneider graduated in 2008 from the Georgetown University
Law Center in Washington, a pricey private school. “Without
scholarships, I would have graduated with extremely high debt, as
many of my classmates did,” he said. “There would have been no
way I could have come back to North Dakota and become a state
senator.”
Instead, a big law position in a place like New York, Washington or
Chicago would have been his only option, Schneider said.
Schneider has worked in private practice in North Dakota since
graduation, which means he’s seen nine classes of new attorneys
graduate from the UND School of Law. He’s met many of those
graduates in his practice and his senate work, and his conclusion
about the job market is clear:
“If your goal is to work at a ‘white shoe’ law firm, then maybe go
somewhere else – Northwestern, or someplace like that,” he said.
“But in our region, you can be an excellent attorney and make a good
living with a North Dakota education. It’s such a public benefit to
have a law school that provides these benefits, and the educational
opportunities that it offers are a really good deal.”
This article was originally printed in Prairie Business magazine,
December 2017, and is reprinted with permission.
Prairie Business magazine is always looking for columns
from attorneys and other professionals highlighting a trend
or topic in law, or other topics of interest to its readers.
If interested in contributing, contact Tom Dennis, editor, at
701-780-1276.
Wold Johnson, P.C. is pleased to announce that Erin D. Larsgaard has joined the firm
as an Associate Attorney. Erin’s developing practice is focused on estate planning
and probate; she also works in real estate, business formation, and contract review.
While attending college at Minnesota State University – Moorhead, Erin began working at WJPC as a
runner. After graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal
in three years, Erin was promoted to a paralegal position with WJPC.
After a year as a paralegal, Erin went to law school with a full scholarship to the University of St. Thomas School
of Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, she continued to work at WJPC on weekends and during breaks,
as well as at St. Thomas for Professor Gregory Sisk as a Research Assistant. Erin also served in a variety of
law school roles, including Student Government President and Publications Editor for the University of St.
Thomas Law Journal. She was on the Dean’s List each semester of her
three years in law school and received the Dean’s Award for the highest Erin’s experience in multiple
grade in Lawyering Skills I, Lawyering Skills II, Property, Lawyering positions in the legal field
Skills III, Professional Responsibility, Civil Procedure II, and Evidence. allows her to see the big
In addition, Erin completed a judicial externship with Magistrate Judge picture when handling client
Becky R. Thorson for the District of Minnesota. Knowing the great work matters. Her outstanding
environment that awaited her, Erin was thrilled to return to WJPC upon
academic work reflects her
graduating summa cum laude with her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas. Erin
strong work ethic and
currently lives in Horace, North Dakota with her husband, Matthew
dedication to excellence.
Larsgaard, and step-daughter, Alicia Larsgaard.
WJPC is delighted to gain
You can find Erin at Wold Johnson, P.C., 500 2 nd Avenue North, Suite 400, in Erin as its newest attorney.
downtown Fargo. Erin can be reached by phone (701-235-5515) or email ([email protected]).
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