Licensed to Practice: North Dakota - 1967, Federal Court - 1967, Minnesota - 1981.
1967-1968: Special Assistant Attorney General, Workers Compensation Bureau, Bismarck, N.D. Gave legal advice to the staff and Commissioners of the North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau.
1968-1977: Private Practice, O'Grady, Edwards, Anderson and Lawrence, Grand Forks, N.D.
1977-present: Private Practice, Johnson & Lawrence, P.C., Northwood, N.D.
An attorney for 31 years, having practiced in virtually all areas of the law at one time or another.
Admission to the North Dakota Bar and Federal Court system.
In private practice, among other things, has represented from time to time approximately 20 insurance companies in defense of their insureds or in subrogation matters. These cases involved all stages of discovery, preparation, and trial.
Has represented individuals in Personal Injury Claims to include extensive involvement in one of the earliest products liability cases in North Dakota.
Upon moving to Northwood, practice shifted to the representation of individuals, corporations, or other entities in all areas to include Personal Injury and Death Cases, Divorce, Commercial Law, Taxation, Banking, Probate, Will Contests, Estate Planning, Real Estate, Contracts and Municipal Law. On a day-to-day basis, gives advice to numerous clients as his office has always been a "walk in" practice. Generally, has had experience in just about every area of private practice at some time or another.
Some juvenile and criminal defense work, either by court appointment or private retainer, though this work has not been as extensive as civil practice, but has a working knowledge of that system.
Involved with co-counsel in major cases involving nursing home insurance fraud and bad faith, products liability resulting in severe injury, Federal Crop Insurance litigation, and severe injury or death cases caused by automobile collisions.
Has judged at the UND Law School Moot Court Trials and Moot Court Appellate Cases to include evaluation of performances, critiques, and decisions.
SBAND Information & Service Committee.
Inquiry Committee East, to include past Chairman.
SBAND Board of Governors.
Insurance Committee, to include past Chairman.
President, Northeast Central Judicial District.
President, Goose River Bar Association.
Member, Joint Commission on Lawyer Discipline & Admissions, involving 2-year study to include total overhaul of disciplinary process.
Member of Joint Study on Integrated Bar.
State Bar Association of North Dakota.
Grand Forks County Bar Association.
Goose River Bar Association.
Member, Real Property & Probate Section (SBAND).
Past Member, American Bar Association.
Civic involvement
Elks.
Masons, to Include Past Master.
Past President, Calvary Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Past President, Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church, Northwood.
Past President, Northwood Commercial Clubs.
Secretary-treasurer, Northwood Economic Development Foundation.
Past Member of Various Other Local Boards and Organizations.
Family
Married: Dawn D. Ogden, 6-27-64.
Children: Richard Lawrence, born 1-29-68; Margaret Dudgeon, born 4-29-69; Anne Park, born 3-18-74.
Grandchild: Kirk William Dudgeon.
Strengths you would bring to the Court
The strengths I would bring to the Court would most certainly be my 31 years of legal experience, my understanding and great appreciation of the legal system under which all of us work, to include the dynamics of the practice itself, the function of lawyers and the judges within that system, and an excellent understanding of the law.
Additional strengths that I have would include my work ethic, community and family involvement and, most importantly from my own personal standpoint, my congeniality.
Background