Born in North Dakota, raised in a construction family, which required frequent moves.
Family settled back in the home area of Mercer County where they ran a small farm and built a concrete and excavation business, Pride Contracting.
Worked in the family business from its beginning in 1975 until leaving for law school in the fall of 1986.
Education
Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota: Juris Doctor, 1989.
While in law school, worked for William G. Pederson and Associates of Bloomington, Minnesota AdMamun legal support services.
During the summers of law school, worked for Joseph A. Vogel, Jr., Mandan, North Dakota.
Involvements in law school included photo editor for the "Res Ipsa," law school student newspaper.
Involved in the Student Bar Association.
North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota: Bachelor of Science, 1986, major in sociology; minors in history and business.
Undergraduate involvements included: Student Supreme Court, one year as Chief Justice, Farm House Fraternity, Inter-fraternity Council, Director of shuttle bus service, and the entertainers.
Professional experience
Vogel Law Firm, Mandan, North Dakota, 1989 - 1990. Practice in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, farm law, eminent domain, family law, and property law.
Frith and Schwarz, Attorneys at Law, Devils Lake, North Dakota, 1990-1993. Practice in areas of personal injury, appellant law, criminal defense, family law, bankruptcy, property law, business law, and estate planning.
Frith, Schwarz and Steffen, Attorneys at Law, Devils Lake, North Dakota, 1993- present. Practice in areas of personal injury, criminal law, appellant law, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, property law, juvenile law.
University of North Dakota Lake Region, Devils Lake, North Dakota: Adjunct Professor, 1990 to 1998, Legal Assistant Program: taught civil procedure, evidence, constitutional law, and legal environment of business.
Peace Officer Training Program: taught criminal law, constitutional law, civil law, search and seizure law, and evidence.
Licenses: North Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota Federal District Courts, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court.
Lake Region Bar Association: served as president for one year, secretary/treasurer for one year, and for last four years as co-chairman of CLE committee.
American Arbitration Association.
Civic involvement
Presently in the progress of developing a youth program targeted at teens, modeled after the "Angling Project" in England and the "Get Hooked on Fishing not Drugs" Program, with assistance from members of law enforcement, North Dakota Game and Fish, and local business people.
Member and secretary/treasurer of Resource Conservation and Development Council; Member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, with involvement in various programs.
Co-owner with wife of Sky is the Limit, a business which sells kites and custom made fishing rods, which has annually assisted with the migratory bird days celebration at Grahams Island State Park in conjunction with U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Family
Married in 1989 to Michelle R. (Kunz) Schwarz.
Child: Melinda Helen Schwarz.
Strengths you would bring to the Court
The greatest strength I would bring to the Court comes from my varied background and experience, both in and out of the law. Having traveled all over the United States, worked in a family business, and having practiced in numerous areas of the law, my view point is quite broad.
Using my education and experience in courtrooms and classrooms has taught me to communicate with people of differing viewpoints at the same time.
Most importantly, my experience in trial courts and appellant courts, combined with my background, consistently reminds me that the people watch the courts very carefully and want individuals in the courts who communicate to the legal professional as well as to them personally. I can be such a justice because I come from the ranks of the average citizen.
Background