Experienced litigator (remote or in-office)

At Braaten Law Firm, we use our resources to preserve the strength of yours. Our practice has been referred to as “good guy law.” We are staunch advocates for landowners, performing a majority of our work on behalf of farmers and ranchers, using the judicial system as the great leveler. We take stands on principle and have established important legal precedent for landowners on constitutional and property rights issues, ensuring they can face powerful adversaries. We are a boutique firm that has taken on the largest energy and corporate defense firms in the country and won. We have handled numerous cases and issues of first impression and established important legal precedent for landowners. It is a fast-paced practice with significant pressure, but also significant opportunities for someone with ambition.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Litigation Associate or Partner with 5 years of meaningful litigation experience to join our team. This role offers the opportunity to lead high-impact cases involving landowner rights, eminent domain, property valuation, natural resources and environmental law, regulatory challenges, and complex energy law matters. Candidates with eminent domain, natural resources, or energy law experience are strongly preferred. This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about fighting on the front lines for farmers and ranchers and the land.

Core Litigation Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of litigation, including pleadings, written discovery, motion practice, depositions, hearings, mediations, and trial.
• Develop and execute sophisticated case strategies tailored to landowner and property-rights disputes.
• Conduct in-depth legal research and draft high-quality motions, briefs, and appellate filings.
• Take and defend depositions, interview witnesses, and work closely with technical experts (engineers, appraisers, surveyors, environmental consultants).
• Prepare and present evidence at trial, including witness preparation, trial briefs, exhibit organization, and oral argument.
• Counsel landowners on compensation, valuation, damages, regulatory risks, and settlement strategy.
• Supervise and mentor junior attorneys, paralegals, and litigation staff.
• Support business development, helping cultivate relationships with potential landowner clients, referral partners, and community organizations.

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A successful candidate will have a proven ability to:

• Independently manage a litigation docket from start to finish with strategic judgment.
• Identify legal issues in complex fact patterns and apply complicated legal principles to find solutions.
• Draft persuasive, concise, and well-researched legal writing.
• Handle complex fact development and navigate large volumes of documents/evidence.
• Conduct effective, efficient, and goal-oriented depositions.
• Interpret financial, valuation, scientific and technical data and apply it within sophisticated legal contexts.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with clients who may be unfamiliar with legal processes.
• Make sound litigation decisions under pressure and adapt strategy as cases evolve.
• Prepare and argue motions with clarity and confidence before judges.
• Collaborate effectively with partners while owning responsibility for case execution.

Preferred Energy law or Natural Resources law experience

While not required, candidates with experience in any of the following will be strongly preferred:

• Oil-and-gas, pipeline, or energy infrastructure litigation
• Surface-use disputes, mineral rights conflicts, or pore-space issues
• Regulatory matters involving state agencies or federal environmental/energy regulations
• Valuation, appraisal, or compensation disputes related to energy development or eminent domain
• Environmental or land-impact assessments and expert coordination, or science background
• This background enhances the ability to advocate for landowners facing sophisticated energy-sector adversaries.

Qualifications

Applicants must be law school graduates who qualify for admission to the state bar of North Dakota. The ideal applicant will have:

• Minimum 5 years of litigation experience, with a demonstrated record of hands-on responsibility.
• Trial experience, evidentiary hearings, or significant motion-practice experience preferred.
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills and a client-centered mindset.
• Commitment to principle advocacy and meaningful work.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time role with an excellent benefits package. For the right candidate, we are open to hiring at either the lateral associate or partner level. We pride ourselves on a collaborative, open, and family-friendly office culture. Compensation is based on relevant professional experience. Benefits include:

• A fully paid single health insurance plan.
• AFLAC, Dental, and Vision policies are available for employee purchase.
• Pretax flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care are available.
• Simple IRA retirement account with a company match of 3% 
• Attorney license renewals, registration fees, and travel expenses for approved CLE (Continuing Legal Education) credits
• Infrastructure to support remote work

Application Procedure

This position is open immediately, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please email a cover letter, resume, three references, and writing sample to the attention of Lisa Rask, Business Manager, at lisa@braatenlawfirm.com. All applications will be confidential.