PARALEGALS
Jericka Lyon
Jericka is a paralegal at the firm. Her primary area of focus is family law, working closely with attorney, Tracy Lyson. Jericka graduated Summa Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies. While at MSUM, she was inducted into the MSUM Chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies. She began working for O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss in February of 2010. Prior to joining O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Jericka worked at law firms specializing in bankruptcy and intellectual property in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Jericka is also a member of the Red River Valley Paralegal Association.
Erin Nodland
Erin is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. in the litigation department. She assists the firm in several areas including personal injury case management, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. Erin has been a full-time team member since 2009, following an internship with the firm. Erin graduated Summa Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies. While in the Paralegal Program at MSUM, Erin was a recipient of the Molly Moore Award for Excellence in Writing and was inducted into the Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies. She served as the Parliamentarian for the Red River Valley Paralegal Association for several years, and is still currently a member.
Kayla Peterson
Kayla Peterson is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. in the litigation department. She assists the firm in several areas including personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. Kayla graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies. While in the Paralegal Program at MSUM, Kayla was a recipient of the Molly Moore Award for Excellence in Writing and was inducted into the MSUM Chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies. Kayla also served as Secretary for the Minnesota State Paralegal Association Moorhead and is currently a member of the Red River Valley Paralegal Association. Kayla joined the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss team in June of 2012.
Mackenzie Noer
Mackenzie Noer is a paralegal in the litigation department at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. She assists the firm in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal law. Mackenzie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal. Mackenzie interned at the firm while a student at MSUM, joining the team full-time in the fall of 2011. While in the Paralegal Program at MSUM, Mackenzie was a recipient of the Molly Moore Award for Excellence in Writing and inducted into the Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies. Mackenzie was the Vice President of the Minnesota State Paralegal Association Moorhead and is currently a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants.
Angie Coppin
Angie is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. Her primary area of focus is real estate law, working with attorneys Dean Rindy and Morgan Reinke. Angie graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies. Prior to joining O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Angie worked as a Closing Officer at title companies in the Fargo-Moorhead and the Wahpeton/Breckenridge areas. She is a member of the Red River Valley Paralegal Association. Angie joined the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss team in December of 2012.
Abby Hammes
Abby Hammes is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. Her primary focus is on family law, working with attorney Tracy Lyson. She also supports attorneys Steven Welle and Sean Foss with various civil litigation and probate matters. Abby graduated Summa Cum Laude from North Dakota State University in 2013 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and English, minoring in Criminal Justice and Women & Gender Studies. Prior to joining the firm, Abby worked as a Legal Assistant at a law firm in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that focused exclusively on personal injury. She is currently a member of the Red River Valley Paralegal Association. Abby joined the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss team in March of 2015.
Winter Brendemuhl
Winter is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd in the litigation department. She assists the firm in several areas of law including personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. She works with attorneys Tim O’Keeffe, Tatum O’Brien, Sara Monson and Sean Foss. In addition, she assists the firm in Asbestos Litigation. A Glyndon, MN native, Winter attended Minnesota State University Moorhead and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies with an emphasis in Litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Winter worked as a legal assistant at a local law firm. Winter interned at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss while attending MSUM, joining the team full-time in August of 2016. Winter is currently a board member of the Red River Valley Paralegal Association.
Deanna M. Storey
Deanna is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, primarily working in the business and estate planning practice areas. She also works on the West Fargo city prosecution cases. She assists attorney Stephen Welle and other firm associates. Deanna is a graduate of Shanley High School, Fargo. She attended North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), transferring to and graduating from North Dakota State University (NDSU) where she majored in Criminal Justice and minored in Child Development. Deanna worked for a large law firm in Minneapolis and before joining the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss team she worked for a Fargo office of a large Minneapolis firm. Deanna is a Board Member of Outfits for Angels. She is also a Board Member of Down Home, a non-profit focusing on helping families transition from homelessness to permanent housing. She initially joined the firm in 2014.
Christa Ackley
Christa is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. with her primary area of focus in 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 as a legal word processor and a contract specialist for a legal outsourcing company in the Fargo area. Christa joined the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss team in October of 2018.
LEGAL ASSISTANTS
Mandy Seigel
Mandy is a legal administrator and Office Manager at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. She is responsible for oversight of administration for the firm. In addition, she supports attorneys in the firm who focus on personal injury, criminal law and business litigation. A West Fargo native, Mandy earned her degree in Legal Administration from Northwest Technical College. She has been part of the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss team since January, 2004.
Jessica Simpson
Jessica is a legal assistant at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. She primarily focuses on assisting attorneys Tracy Lyson, Sean Foss and Steve Welle. Jessica earned her credentials as a court reporter from the Denver Academy of Court Reporting and became an official court reporter for the District Court of the North Central Judicial District in Minot. Upon moving to Fargo, Jessica worked for another law firm in Fargo as a legal assistant before joining O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss in November, 2016.
RECEPTIONIST
Michelle (Shelly) Nitschke
Shelly is the receptionist at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss, Ltd. Along with reception duties, she also provides administrative support for the firm. Shelly brings more than 25 years of customer service experience, and she is a long-time Fargo resident. Shelly joined the law firm in March, 2011.