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Jessica Binder Biographical Information Monday, July 15, 2019

BACKGROUND:

 

I was born and raised in Mercer County, and have exclusively practiced law there since becoming licensed nearly 14 years ago. I have a large extended family, and am proud to be the sixth generation Mercer County resident raising the seventh. I was twelve years old when my parents divorced, and it was that experience that led to my decision to become an attorney. I understood at that age that attorneys were helping my mother, and I wanted to do the same for others. That decision and my desire to help people has been my focus ever since. After leaving Mercer County for college and law school, I was excited to have the opportunity to return. As a private attorney in a rural area, I gained experience in numerous areas of law, including family law, contracts, and trusts and probate issues. Indeed, personally and professionally, I have been involved in family law matters in every capacity, with the exception of judge. While I have gained ample professional experience over the last 13 years, I feel it has been my personal experiences over my lifetime which have molded me into the attorney I am today and which would make me a fair-minded and reasonable judge. I do not see the cases before me simply as files, but understand they are people’s lives which are in conflict, as those lives have been friends and family members at times. I have experienced family members struggle with addiction and mental health issues; both of which are battles that often cannot be overcome but rather dealt with for a lifetime. Also, given the small, rural nature of Mercer County, I have lived amongst those I have been prosecuting, and their friends and families, for the last eight years. While that has led to countless awkward encounters and moments, it has given me the benefit of perspective and insight which I would not otherwise have had in prosecuting cases. I am proud to have served Mercer County for the duration of my career, and in the capacity of Mercer County State’s Attorney over the last eight years, but I am now personally and professionally ready to move into a new role, but with the same focus and purpose: to help people and resolve conflicts.  

EDUCATION:

University of North Dakota – School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Juris Doctor, May 2005

  • Dean’s List
  • Trained in LexisNexis and Westlaw legal research

University of Oslo, Faculty of Law, Oslo, Norway

Summer Study Abroad Program, June 2003

Minot State University, Minot, North Dakota

Bachelor of Science, Major: Criminal Justice, Minor: Sociology, May 2002

  • Cum Laude Honors
  • President’s List (1998-2002)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Mercer County, Stanton, North Dakota

State’s Attorney, January 2011 – Present

  • Initiate criminal prosecutions based on analysis of police reports and applicable laws. Research and prepare briefs relating to pretrial and post-judgment motions. Conduct court hearings, including criminal proceedings, juvenile court, post-conviction relief proceedings, administrative traffic hearings, and commitment proceedings for mental health, chemical dependency and a sexually dangerous individual. Perform legal research and author briefs to the North Dakota Supreme Court, and present oral argument related thereto.
  • Research applicable North Dakota Century Code statutes, caselaw, and Attorney General’s opinions to provide legal advice to the Mercer County Board of Commissioners, Mercer County Planning and Zoning Board, and County officials of day-to-day business of the County. Supervise department employees. Authored amendments to Mercer County Zoning Ordinances and Mercer County Policy Handbook. Successfully defended Mercer County against Department of Labor claims. Prepared and presented proposed budget for State’s Attorney department.

Solem Law Office, Beulah, North Dakota

Associate Attorney, April 2009 – December 2010           

  • Represented clients primarily in family law matters. Developed client relationships and collected relevant information. Authored legal documents, including settlement agreements, proposed orders and judgments, motions, affidavits, wills, powers of attorney.
  • Initiated criminal prosecutions in Beulah Municipal Court, including legal research of relevant laws, preparation of documents, and presentation of evidence. Provided legal advice to the Beulah City Council, as needed.

Solo practitioner, Hazen, North Dakota

June 2007 – March 2009

  • Represented clients primarily in family law and criminal defense proceedings. Developed client relationships and collected relevant information. Authored legal documents, including settlement agreements, proposed orders and judgments, motions, and affidavits. Maintained client trust accounts and prepared billing invoices to clients.

Lange & Donovan, PLLP, Hazen, North Dakota

Associate Attorney, October 2005 – April 2006

  • Represented clients primarily in divorce, child custody, child support, and criminal defense litigation. Interviewed relevant parties and collected information. Conducted legal research on issues applicable to clients’ interests. Prepared legal documents, including briefs to North Dakota Supreme Court, North Dakota State District Court, and Hazen Municipal Court. Initiated criminal proceedings on behalf of the City of Hazen in Hazen Municipal Court. Prepared documents relating to estate planning, debtor/creditor transactions, and real property matters.

 Law Clerk, August 2005 – September 2005

  • Conducted legal research and drafted corresponding memorandums and legal documents for North Dakota State District Court.

Reichert Law Office, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Law Clerk, October 2003 – May 2005

  • Conducted legal research and drafted corresponding legal documents, including briefs, motions, discovery materials, etc. for North Dakota State and Federal District Court, North Dakota Supreme Court, and Grand Forks Municipal Court.

Boughey Law Firm, Minot, North Dakota

Administrative Assistant, August 2000 – August 2002 & Summer 2003

  • Prepared legal documents, including briefs, motions, discovery materials, etc. for State and Federal District Court, North Dakota Supreme Court, and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Interviewed clients. Organized and maintained files. Maintained office calendar scheduling court appearances and client meetings.

ORGANIZATIONS:

State Bar of North Dakota, Admitted October 2005

Member of Immanual Baptist Church, Beulah, North Dakota

Member of Hazen Winter Sports, Hazen, North Dakota