Tatum O’Brien Lindbo has recently been named partner at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss in Fargo, North Dakota. Her extensive experience in and out of the courtroom, along with her incredible work ethic have earned her a solid reputation as an attorney who represents her clients with skill and tenacity.
O’Brien Lindbo has been an attorney at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss for six years. Prior to joining the team at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, she was a law clerk for two years working for the eight judges in the East Central Judicial District, Cass County, North Dakota.
We asked her a few questions about her newest role, education and experiences, so you can get to know our newest partner, Tatum O’Brien Lindbo.
Did you always want to be a lawyer?
I grew up with a very large O’Brien family, a fun-loving hardworking group of people. But there was not one lawyer in the whole group. At times growing-up I noticed that friends/family members of mine sometimes needed an advocate to help them navigate the legal world and that is when I decided a family this large needs a lawyer. Basically, I wanted to help people and I am thankful every day for their love, support, and abundance of legal issues which lead me down this path.
Where did you attend school?
I am a native of Southwestern North Dakota. I was raised on a ranch near Grassy Butte, ND. For three years, I attended school in a one-room school house, along with 11 other students (grades K-8). After that I attended school in Fairfield, ND and eventually ended up attending high school in Belfield, ND. I graduated from Belfield High School as the Valedictorian of my class.
Upon graduating from Belfield High, I moved to Fargo where I attended North Dakota State University. I earned my undergraduate degree in Sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice emphasis, with a minor in psychology. After that, I went to the University of North Dakota School of Law, where I graduated with my Juris doctorate with distinction. While I was pursuing my law degree, I worked as a law clerk at the Morley Law Firm in Grand Forks. One summer I was an extern with the United States Attorney’s Office, District of North Dakota
How did you end up at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss?
My good friend Tracy Lyson is the culprit. Tracy and I attended law school together, and then after law school we both clerked at the District Court in Cass County. She joined O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss and promptly informed them they would be wise to hire me too, and I guess they agreed. I still suspect that my Irish last name is a small part of the reason.
What is the best part about being a lawyer?
I like helping people, and I pretty much get to do that every day. That is the best part.
