Well, I got a new job.

The state of North Dakota has decided that it will begin moving away from contract indigent defense counsel and will invest in a State Public Defender system. They held interviews for 7 positions in Southwestern, Northwestern and North Central North Dakota. I was selected as one of the two in Southwestern North Dakota. I actually cannot believe it. I start March 16th. One interesting note: None of the other attorneys that were selected will begin work until the 20th. Therefore, technically, I will be the FIRST active Public Defender in the History of the State of North Dakota. That's a good story to tell the grandkids I guess. LOL.

There were applicants with MUCH more experience than myself and attorneys with the advantage of having worked in the former contract system. I am VERY young (in terms of years out of law school) as compared to the other attorneys as well. I guess I interviewed well. I'm both excited and terrified at the same time. The state has never done anything like this before, and therefore, it's a little haphazard right now. I've only been involved for about a week now and I can already tell that there is going to be a STEEP learning curve here. I can't help but think of Oscar Wild's statement about how the Gods sometimes punish us by granting our wishes. This is going to be nuts. I will get a ridiculous amount of much-needed experience, but it will be baptism by fire.

Anyway, I always give good vibes when asked, and am wanting a few good lucks my way this time. My life is about to get VERY interesting.

May your learning curve, though steep, be overcome quickly.

I hope it is.

Keep us posted periodically on how you're doing. Sounds like the makings of a good story.

Thank you.

Did you go to UND Law? My wife graduated there in 93. I'm originally from Northwestern ND.

I grew up here though and went to UND for Undergrad. I wanted to get up and out so I didn't even apply to UND Law. I applied to three schools that were all far, far away from North Dakota....Vermont, Hawaii at Manoa and Lewis and Clark. I chose Lewis and Clark.

Where in Northwestern ND are you from? Williston is where the Northwestern office is located.

Minto, ND. About 40 miles north of Grand Forks. 10 miles south of Grafton. Williston is way out there in the middle of nowhere, well, so is Minto and the rest of ND, I guess. I went to UND for undergrad and grad. Now I am smack dab in the middle of Packer country. :crazy:

Packer country huh? My condolences.

Do well, and do a lot of good for people! :toast:

I'll try.

New system + new you = exciting. Enjoy it!

congratulations to you, best wishes and enjoy your VERY interesting life :)

you'll do fine!

:yourock:

I hope so. I'm looking forward to it.

Regards from your old city.

Has it stopped raining there now.....tulips and stuff poking out yet?

Might have to drive down Monitor way to check out the tulip fields. Thanks for the reminder.

I hope it's better than you expect and less awful than you fear. Two things come to mind. We learn as we go and it's okay to explore what we don't know. That's why they put erasers on pencils.

You go! :thumbsup: :)

:toast: