UND Law Legislative Externship Program

Fourteen law students were selected to participate in the University of North Dakota School of Law Legislative Externship program (aka Legislative Internship).  These students headed to Bismarck during the final days of December 2020 to begin full-time at the state capitol working directly under the experienced attorneys at the North Dakota Legislative Council, the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, the North Dakota Governor’s Office, and the GA Law Group

“The School of Law is tremendously proud of our partnerships with these organizations during each Legislative Assembly to provide our students with outstanding experiences with the law as it’s drafted, debated, and decided in North Dakota’s government," said UND Law School Dean Michael McGinniss. "It’s also so gratifying as North Dakota’s Law School for our students to offer such important public service as part of the strong legal education they receive from us.”

Through these placements, the students obtain hands on experience in state government, politics, policy issues, legislation, and the legislative process. Eleven students, Liz Fordahl 3L, Katie Winbauer 3L, Teddy Boyer  3L, Megan Hogue 2L, Rainey Selvig 2L, Erik Wallevand 2L, Kylie Sollie 2L, Alexandria Maashio 2L, Claire Hoplin 2L, Justin Borgen 2L, David Wischer 2L are working with the Legislative Council under the leadership of John Bjornson and site supervisor Samantha Kramer. Logan Caldwell 3L, is assigned to work in the Governor’s Office under the supervision of Leslie Oliver. Jacob Strinden 2L, is assigned to the Attorney General's Office under the supervision of Mary Kae Kelsch, and Samantha Schmidt  2L is working with the GA Group, P.C. under the supervision of Levi Andrist. 

The Legislative Externship program is managed and taught by Trish Hodny, Director of Field Placements and Externship Seminar Adjunct Faculty at the University of North Dakota School of Law.