SMITH PORSBORG - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- President of the Local Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants
Anna Heinen was born and raised in Thompson, ND. She attended high school in Steele, ND, and moved to Bismarck in 2006. She currently holds a degree in Business Management and in Paralegal Studies. Anna started with the firm in April of 2013 and works for Scott K. Porsborg, Mitchell D. Armstrong, and Brian D. Schmidt, handling Governmental Liability, Civil Litigation, Administrative Law, and Insurance Defense.
Anna is president of the local Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants (WDALA) and is a member of NALA-The Paralegal Association.
Anna resides on the outskirts of Bismarck with her three girls, Rylee, Leah, and Briella, and their dog, Moose. She enjoys spending time with family, kayaking, paddle boarding, four wheeling, woodworking, and traveling.
Brian D. Schmidt is a native of Bismarck, ND. He attended the University of North Dakota where he was a member of the baseball team. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in the spring of 2009 and enrolled in the Graduate School in the fall of 2009. While attending the Graduate School in pursuit of his M.B.A., he enrolled in law school. In the winter of 2012, Brian graduated from the Graduate School earning his M.B.A., and the Law School earning his J.D., cum laude.
In addition to obtaining favorable verdicts in jury trials, Brian has successfully argued numerous cases on appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and North Dakota Supreme Court. Further, Brian has successfully represented clients before administrative agencies and in arbitration.
Brian has also written numerous published articles on employment law, tort liability, and constitutional law. Further, he has given presentations at numerous seminars and conferences about civil rights, employment law, and personal injury litigation.
Practice Areas:
Brian's practice focuses on civil litigation. His specialties include:
Dave advises clients on a wide variety of personal and business matters, from estate planning and probate to business planning and litigation. Dave is from Bismarck, and graduated from North Dakota State University in 2005. In 2009, Dave received his J.D. from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and joined the firm.
Jon grew up in Mandan, North Dakota. He received an Associates of Arts and Sciences degree from Bismarck State College in 2012 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of North Dakota in 2015. Jon enrolled at the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2017. Jon was a member of the Phi Delta Phi honors fraternity and graduated in May of 2020, with a special Certificate in Indian Law. Jon is thrilled to be back home in Mandan, serving the Bismarck-Mandan community.
Practice Areas:
Personal Injury
Mitchell D. Armstrong is a native of Dickinson, North Dakota. He graduated with a B.B.A., summa cum laude from the University of North Dakota in 2000. He received his J.D., with distinction, from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2003, where he was Editor in Chief of the North Dakota Law Review.
Morgan is from Bismarck, North Dakota. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Dakota in 2018, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a certification in Writing & Editing. Morgan received her J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2021, where she served on the board of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and provided pro bono legal services to the community in the Family Law Clinical Practicum. Morgan was admitted to the North Dakota Bar in September 2021.
In her free time, Morgan enjoys biking, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Practice Areas:
General Litigation
Scott K. Porsborg is a native of Mandan, North Dakota. He graduated With Distinction from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1991, where he was President of the Moot Court Board. Since that time, he has continuously practiced in Bismarck in the areas of civil trials and appeals.
Scott has special expertise in the area of civil rights litigation and governmental liability from a defense perspective. He has handled numerous cases for both plaintiffs and defendants across the State. He is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is licensed to practice in the courts of North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota, the federal districts of North Dakota and South Dakota, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Shayna Fischer is from Wing, ND. She graduated from Lake Region State College in 2011 with an Associate of Applied Science Paralegal Degree. In the fall of 2011, she began working as a legal assistant for partner Sheldon A. Smith. Shayna was promoted to Paralegal in the spring of 2015 and continues to work for partners Sheldon A. Smith, David J. Smith, and Tyler J. Malm along with associate Morgan E. Wentz. Shayna assists the attorneys and staff with various matters primarily focusing on civil cases including probate and business litigation.
Sheldon A. Smith was born in Minot, North Dakota. Sheldon graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1979. In 1983, Sheldon received his J.D. (with distinction) from University of North Dakota School of Law.
Sheldon founded the law firm in September of 1983. He has overseen its growth from the sole employee to a group of 35 dedicated professionals and staff. He has presented seminars on financial issues to Judges, Bar Groups and others for over 30 years.
Practice Areas:
Business Law
Stacy M. Moldenhauer is a native of Beulah, North Dakota. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and history, magna cum laude, from Concordia College in 2005. She received her J.D., with distinction, from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2008.
Upon graduation, Stacy served as a law clerk to Justice Daniel Crothers of the North Dakota Supreme Court. She is licensed to practice in North Dakota and Minnesota. She practices in the areas of family law, administrative law and is a court appointed mediator for the South Central Judicial District.
Stacy resides in Bismarck with her husband Chad and their children, Mason, Cameron and Alexis.
Practice Areas:
Family Law
Suzanne is a native of Watford City, North Dakota. She has been a member of the Firm since 1997, and a Partner since 2004. She graduated with honors from Jamestown College in 1992 with a triple major in Accounting, Business Administration and History/Political Science. She thereafter graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law and has been in private practice in Bismarck since 1996.
Suzanne specializes in family law and is passionate about helping her clients. Throughout her career she has also practiced in the areas of debtor/creditor law, civil litigation, business law and corporate law. Suzanne has tried hundreds of contested matters involving issues such as residential responsibility, child support, alimony/spousal support, division of marital property (including valuation and analysis of assets), grandparent rights, adoption and termination of parental rights. She has extensive experience in resolving cases of all sizes, including large asset cases as well as complex residential responsibility matters. Suzanne appears in state court on a regular basis and is familiar with the local attorneys and judges in Central and Western North Dakota as well as throughout North Dakota.
Suzanne and her husband, David, reside in Bismarck with their three sons. In her free time Suzanne enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and attending her sons' sporting and school events.
Practice Areas:
Family Law
Tara-Lynn Kelsch was raised in Carrington, ND. She graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from UND Lake Region and moved to Bismarck in 1996.
Tara-Lynn began working as Office Manager with Smith Porsborg Schweigert Armstrong Moldenhauer & Smith in November 2022. She has spent the last 25 years working in various Human Resources and leadership roles, with special interest in employee relations and employee development.
Tara-Lynn lives in Bismarck with her family. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, traveling, and cooking.
Tyler was born and raised in Bismarck and graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2010. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of North Dakota School of Law and was admitted to the North Dakota Bar in 2013. Tyler has experience in a wide variety of practice areas, with focus on civil litigation, business and estate planning, probate, and commercial/real estate matters. Tyler resides in Bismarck with his wife, Laura, and their three children.
Practice Areas:
Civil Litigation