Blog
November 14, 2018
What is an open warrant? An open warrant means a judge has authorized law enforcement to arrest an individual at any time. Essentially, if you have an open warrant for your arrest, your next interaction with law enforcement may end in your arrest and detainer. For example, you never showed […]
November 12, 2018
Reliance on evidence is what separates a fair justice system from one based on arbitrariness and tyranny. In civil lawsuits, the judge must decide whether the available evidence supports or refutes the plaintiff’s claim. In personal injury lawsuits, medical records are an essential piece of evidence. Why are Medical Records […]
November 8, 2018
A lease-to-own agreement, also referred to as a rent-to-own or lease option, provides flexibility in housing agreements. In a lease-to-own agreement, the tenant/buyer has a standard landlord-tenant in place with an extra option providing for the tenant’s right to purchase the property. However, the terms of a lease-to-own agreement can […]
November 6, 2018
More than half of Americans cannot afford an unexpected $400 expense without resorting to borrowing money from friends or family. While appliance repairs and emergency travel are common causes of unexpected expenses, medical bills are among the most unavoidable. Beyond a certain point, you cannot put off medical care when […]
October 31, 2018
Many law enforcement agencies are now utilizing body cameras for their officers. Although now commonly used, body cameras are still a somewhat controversial topic. Body cameras can serve as effective tools for both law enforcement and individuals by providing an accurate recording of interactions between the public and the police. […]
October 29, 2018
In North Dakota, foreclosures are governed by state law. The process of foreclosing on a property requires several notices before foreclosure can take place. The lender must give the borrower at least 30 days notice of the intent to foreclose.
October 26, 2018
So you have formed a business partnership, but one or more partners do not agree on an issue that is important to the business – what do you do now?
October 25, 2018
Intellectual property is a crucial part of many businesses. Protecting this proprietary information is essential. Proprietary information includes trade secrets, client lists, development plans, marketing plans, and other confidential information. Although non-competition agreements are almost always void in North Dakota, that is not the only way to protect your business’ […]
October 19, 2018
One of the most important parts of business is raising capital. When raising capital, regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or your state securities department may become involved. Some might assume that business contributions by friends and family are not subject to securities laws. Offering friends and family […]
October 17, 2018
Christa joined O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss as a paralegal. Her primary area of focus is family law, working with attorney Tracy Lyson. Christa is currently attending Minnesota State University Moorhead and graduating in December 2018 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies. Prior to joining the firm, Christa worked […]
October 11, 2018
You received a summons and complaint – what happens now? In civil lawsuits, the proceeding begins with a summons and complaint. This is your notification that you are being sued.
October 9, 2018
Demand letters are often a starting point to the resolution of a dispute. Although non-attorneys can send demand letters, having an attorney assist in writing the demand letter is important to hopefully efficiently resolving the dispute.
October 6, 2018
Generally, it is in everyone’s best interest to avoid litigation. Litigation is expensive and time consuming for all parties. One way to avoid litigation is to draft a contract with the possibility of future litigation in mind. Even if you think your contract will never be the basis of a […]
October 4, 2018
O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss welcomes our newest associate attorney, Chris D. Cerney. Chris is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law. Prior to his law school experience, Chris earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1997 from the Curtis L. Carlson School of Management at the University of […]
September 27, 2018
“When it comes to the Fourth Amendment, the home is first among equals.” Your right to privacy without unreasonable government intrusion is at its strongest in your home. Police officers almost always need a warrant to search a home. There are few exceptions to this requirement, like consent or emergency, […]
September 25, 2018
What is a settlement? A litigation settlement is a decision between the parties to end a dispute before trial. A settlement may be reached after only a few conversations between attorneys, or it may happen a few hours before trial ends. Oftentimes, a settlement is a preferable outcome to litigation […]
September 19, 2018
Selecting a name for your business is an important part of business formation. There are some rules about naming your business in North Dakota, depending on the type of business structure you are planning. Generally, a business name cannot include any words that indicate it is involved in anything other […]
September 17, 2018
There are many reasons to consider refinancing your mortgage, including lower interest rates, lower monthly payment, or debt consolidation. If you are thinking about refinancing your existing mortgage, consider utilizing the assistance of an attorney in doing so.
September 13, 2018
There are several different ways to resolve a case before proceeding with extended litigation. In general, this is referred to as alternative dispute resolution. Both mediation and arbitration may be used to resolve a dispute without going through extensive litigation or trial. Arbitration tends to refer to a legally-binding process, […]
September 11, 2018
In the event of death or illness, every business needs a plan in place. This is especially important for family business owners. Much like planning for an individual’s estate, business plans are crucial to preparing for what happens next.
September 5, 2018
A disclosure statement in a real estate sale is a document completed prior the closing which requires the seller to disclose known material defects of the home. The disclosure statement is an opportunity for the buyer to learn about all potential defects of a home. The disclosure statement is also […]
September 3, 2018
If you are found with drugs, there are several crimes with which you may be charged. The crimes of drug possession and intent to distribute are two different crimes with different levels of punishment. Depending on the drug, the level of offense and punishment can vary significantly. Generally, the crime […]
August 30, 2018
Dean Rindy, attorney at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss of Fargo, has been recognized by his peers as a 2018 Lawyer of the Year and will be recognized in the 25th edition of the The Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession.
August 24, 2018
Five attorneys at Fargo law firm O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss have been recognized by Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process includes independent research, peer […]
August 22, 2018
For the fourth year in a row, Abby Hammes, a Paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, has participated in the annual Walk to Defeat ALS. Abby’s mom lost her battle with ALS. Abby’s team name is “Team Noonnay”, which was a nickname given to her mom by family years ago.