Adam Justinger

Practice

Adam leads SW&L’s Criminal Defense Practice Group. Adam helps individuals who are charged with felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic citations in North Dakota and Minnesota in both state and federal court. Adam also assists individuals with sealing their criminal record in North Dakota, obtaining a governor’s pardon in North Dakota, petitioning to have an individual’s gun rights reinstated in North Dakota, and other gun rights issues in North Dakota.

Professional History

Adam is a shareholder with SW&L and has been with the firm since 2018. Prior to joining SW&L, Adam clerked for a law firm in Grand Forks, North Dakota, doing criminal defense.

Supreme Court/Court of Appeal Cases

Christianson v. NDDOT
Christianson v. NDDOT II
City of West Fargo v. Medbery
State v. Bowen
United States v. Roger Cooley (8th Cir.)

Community Involvement

Adam participates in many different fundraisers. Adam has participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake several times. He has also attended events like North Dakota Autism Center’s AuSome Evening 2022 and The Great North Pole Gala. Adam also routinely donates to Sportsmen Against Hunger and is involved with both Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.

Personal Background

Adam was born and raised in Kimberly, Wisconsin by his mother who taught him the importance of education. At age five, Adam looked at his mother and told her that he wanted to be an attorney because he enjoyed arguing. Although that has always been Adam’s dream, he began working for his grandparents’ construction business, which taught him the importance of hard work, and communication. Even though Adam enjoyed working construction, he never forgot about his goal of becoming an attorney and went on to receive his law degree in 2018.

Adam currently resides in Fargo, North Dakota with his wife and two dogs (Knox and Pumba). In his spare time, Adam enjoys traveling/spending time with his wife and dogs, hunting and fishing, socializing with family and friends, listening to music, and cooking.

Admitted To Practice

Professional Organizations

  • State Bar Association Of North Dakota
  • North Dakota Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Minnesota Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Educational Background

Adam attended the University of North Dakota and received a degree in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration. After graduation, Adam enrolled in law school at the University of North Dakota School of Law and earned his law degree in 2018.

During law school, Adam was very active. Adam’s greatest passion while in law school was participating in mock cases to perfect his oral advocacy skills. Adam participated in Moot Court during his second and third year of law school. During the internal Moot Court competition, Adam and his team partner received the best brief award. This allowed Adam the opportunity to advance to external Moot Court during his second and third year. During Adam’s second year of law school, Adam traveled to Las Vegas, NV to compete in the Frank A. Schreck Gaming Law Moot Court Competition. During Adam’s third year of law school, he traveled to Saint Paul, MN and competed in the McGee Moot Court Competition. Adam and his team partner advanced to the semifinal round. As a result of his success in Moot Court, Adam was accepted into the Order of the Barristers (awarded for oral advocacy and brief writing skills). Adam joined the Energy Law Association his first year of law school and became the President during his second and third year. Furthermore, Adam was the secretary of the Student Bar Association during his second year and the vice president of the organization during his third year. Additionally, Adam was a member of the Criminal Law Association and the Sports Law Association.

Reviews

“The best legal representation you can get. Adam Justinger saved my life! I was facing charges for a crime I didn’t commit and he was there! Went above and beyond to help me, replied quickly anytime I had questions and got my charges dropped! If your looking for a good criminal defense lawyer this is your man! Highly recommend!!” (Source).

“I recently finished working with Attorney Adam Justinger from the SW&L office in Fargo, and he and their law office certainly exceeded my expectations. He specifically assisted me over the past year and a half, with issues relating to erroneous background check denials for firearm purchases. I initially searched out legal assistance for my issue in various other cities around North Dakota, but to little avail. In fact, a few other law offices that I initially talked to even gave me information that I later determined to just be flat-out false or at least misinformed. However, Adam Justinger was the only lawyer, at least that I could personally find, that was not only very knowledgeable about my specific legal issue, but also excellent at explaining any legal options I had. So Mr. Justinger worked for me to collect an immense amount of documentation that was required, and then was able to successfully assist me with both a Firearm-Related Challenge (Appeal) and Voluntary Appeal File (VAF). I was 100% satisfied with all of his services and help dealing with these specific legal issues. If you need assistance with this sort of issue like I did, then I’m very confident in recommending Adam Justinger. I personally think that he’s very likely to be the best attorney that you can hire in North Dakota, if you’re looking to get a VAF done or need assistance with delayed or denied background checks.” (Source).

“At 3 am I was in a situation I could never have imagined being in. I was behind bars and being told that I was going to be charged for something I had not done. I had a friend that had some family issues and had been looking for the right lawyer to assist in keeping his rights in tact. I had heard the stories about Adam Justinger and that he was extremely professional and was the guy that if someone was in a bind he’s the guy to call. So the only few phone calls I had, I made to my friend to get his lawyers name. Lucky for me Adam came to my defense. I was in a situation that I was completely unfamiliar with and Adam clarified everything in a way that I could bare to take another breath. I cannot explain the sense of comfort that I needed during this situation I had. It was met. I was not the bad guy I was being called to him. He was there to make sure that He trusted me and I trusted him. I don’t want to go much further into things but I have to say that the man worked through his wedding. I was extremely lucky to have him and his team of Professionals at my side. The outcome being exactly what it should have been. I highly recommend Adam and his team. They went the extra mile and then some! When a person’s freedom is at stake you want the extra mile and a half. Ten thumbs up and infinite stars.” (Source).

Professional Memberships and Certifications

President, Cass County Bar Association (“CCBA”)
Member, North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (“NDACDL”)
Member, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (“MACDL”)
Member, DUI Defense Lawyers Association (“DUIDLA”)
Member, State Bar Association of North Dakota (“SBAND”)
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association (“MSBA”)
Member, MSBA Criminal Law Section
Member, American Inns of Court
Member, North Dakota Association for Justice (“NDAJ”) Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (“NACDL”)

Criminal Defense Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers
2021 Great Plains Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2022 Great Plains Rising Star, Super Lawyers