Nicholas Dwight Thornton

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Fremstad Law Firm

Experience: 18 years

Criminal Law, DUI & DWI, Appeals & Appellate and 4 others

Minnesota, North Dakota, 8th Circuit and 3 others

Rising Stars, Rising Stars and 3 others

Free consultation have

Awards 5

Experience 18y

Online & Web 4

Biography Submit listing

Nick loves practicing law in and out of the courtroom. He has extensive experience in representing people in all stages of criminal proceedings, from the first appearance or arraignment through trial, appeal, and post-conviction proceedings. While his primary practice area is criminal law, Nick also practices in family law, personal injury, and general litigation. Nick is licensed to practice in all federal and state courts in North Dakota and Minnesota. Before joining Fremstad Law Firm, Nick represented almost two-thousand individual clients at the Fargo Public Defender Office in all types of criminal cases from driving under the influence and driving under suspension to murder and gross sexual imposition. Before that, he clerked for Justice Carol Ronning Kapsner at the North Dakota Supreme Court. Nick received his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He received his law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. Nick has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Mary and is pursuing a Ph.D. in criminal justice from the University of North Dakota. Nick has authored two articles published by the North Dakota Law Review, presented on a number of criminal defense-related topics at continuing legal education seminars, and has taught law-related classes at the University of Mary. Nick is a past-president and charter member of the North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Nick also serves as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at a local youth wrestling club. Nick is originally from Jamestown, North Dakota. He and his wife have two very active sons. During their spare time, Nick and his family enjoy traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Minnesota

Since 2007

North Dakota

Since 2006

8th Circuit

Since 2007

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2016

United States District Court - District of Minnesota

Since 2007

United States District Court - District of North Dakota

Since 2006

Professional Experience

2013 - Current

Fremstad Law Firm

Attorney

2008 - 2013

Fargo Public Defender's Office

Public Defender

Represent approximately 350 indigent adult clients per year charged with anything from class B misdemeanors to class AA felonies, in all stages of the criminal cases in North Dakota state courts. Also represent clients in appeals, post-conviction relief, juvenile delinquency, deprivation, and termination of parental rights matters.

2007 - 2008

Serkland Law Firm

Associate Attorney

Represented clients in a variety of legal matters from first client meeting to the case’s resolution. Practice areas included criminal defense, administrative law, business law, commercial transactions, banking law, and general civil litigation Served as CJA panel attorney for the United States District Court.

2006 - 2007

North Dakota Supreme Court

Law Clerk to the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner

Performed legal research and drafted memoranda, orders and opinions concerning a variety of issues before the Supreme Court, both civil and criminal

Education

2006 - 2008

University of Mary

MBA (2008) | Management

2003 - 2006

University of North Dakota School of Law

J.D. (2006) | Law

Honors: Order of the Coif; Juris Doctor with Distinction

1998 - 2003