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 Attorneys in February of 2010. Prior to joining O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys, Jericka worked at law firms 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 Attorneys. 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 is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys. 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 Attorneys team in June of 2012.

Winter Brekhus

Winter is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys 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 and Sara Monson. 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 Attorneys 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.

Mackenzie Noer

Mackenzie is a paralegal in the litigation department at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys. 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.

Sandy Fischer

Sandy is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys. Her primary area of focus is estate planning and probate law, working with attorney Brandon Erickson. Previously, Sandy taught elementary school in the West Fargo School system for 20 years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2019, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies. While in the Paralegal Program at MSUM, Sandy 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. She interned at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys while attending MSUM, joining the team full-time in August of 2020. 

Sharon K. Oliver

Sharon is a paralegal in the Real Estate Department of O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys. She assists Real Estate attorneys, Dean Rindy and Alex Jenson. A Fargo South High School graduate, Sharon graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. She continued her education, graduating with a degree in Paralegal studies from the University of North Dakota. Sharon earned the prestigious Certified Paralegal designation from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). She is one of only a few Certified Paralegals in North Dakota. She is currently a member of the Red River Valley Paralegal Association and NALA. Before joining the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys team, she worked for a Fargo law firm for several years. She came to the firm in August of 2021.

Jana Halling

Jana is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys. She assists several of the firm attorneys, particularly in the practice areas of criminal law and family law. Jana graduated from Warroad, Minnesota High School and earned her paralegal degree from Rasmussen College in Fargo, North Dakota. Following graduation, she worked for two law firms in Fargo. She became part of the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Foss team in April 2021.

Darcie Wahl

Darcie is a paralegal at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys in the Estate Planning department. Her primary focus is on assisting attorney Brandon Erickson in estate planning and probate law cases. Darcie graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies. She brings extensive experience to the firm having worked at smaller law firms in the Fargo-Moorhead area, the last position for 18 years. Darcie joined the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys team in August of 2022.

LEGAL ASSISTANTS

Mandy Kramer

Mandy is a legal administrator and Office Manager at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys. 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 Attorneys team since January, 2004.

Tricia Fossen

Tricia is a legal assistant at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys. She assists several of the firm attorneys. Tricia, a Fargo native, graduated from Fargo North High School and earned her Legal Administration degree from Northwest Technical College, graduating with honors. While in college she interned at the Moorhead Public Defender’s office. Following graduation, she worked for a small law firm in Moorhead, moving to a larger Fargo firm where she worked for several years. She became part of the O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys team in May, 2019.

RECEPTIONIST

Michelle (Shelly) Nitschke

Shelly is the receptionist at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys. 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.