About Us

Joel Fremstad, Attorney And Advisor

Joel has had a diverse legal and business career. He was a partner with one of North Dakota’s largest law firms for nearly 10 years. During that time he developed his practice to include employment law, business litigation, and collections. He left private practice to become General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources for a privately held real estate and venture capital business with extensive real estate and other small business holdings. This broadened his knowledge and experience in starting and acquiring businesses and in the operating complexities of such businesses.

While acting as General Counsel, Joel recognized the value of his unique perspective as both business owner and business attorney. In 2008 he founded Joel M. Fremstad, PC with a clear focus on bringing this advantage to his clients.

Joel graduated from the North Dakota School of Law with honors including Order of the Coif and Order of the Barristers and served as Research Editor of the North Dakota Law Review. After graduation, Joel clerked for the North Dakota Supreme Court and then joined what was then Nilles, Hansen and Davies, Ltd in Fargo. Joel is currently licensed in both North Dakota and Minnesota and has also appeared before several tribal courts.

Joel is very active in the Fargo Moorhead Community. He is the Immediate Past President of the Cass County Bar Association, the Immediate Past President of The Fargo Rotary Club (www.fargorotary.org) and the Immediate Past Board Chair of Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization (www.fmhero.org). He is also currently a member of the North Dakota Judiciary Standards Committee and is on the Board of the Anne Carlsen Center in Jamestown, North Dakota (www.annecenter.org).

Joel is married and has two children.

Lynn Block, Attorney And Advisor

Lynn is an experienced trial and corporate attorney. During 11 years as an attorney with the trial division of Dorsey & Whitney, Lynn worked on a broad range of cases and developed an expertise in employment law. She was general counsel for a Fiat Group Chrysler subsidiary based in Fargo where she was responsible for all legal matters of the company and provided key support for the company asset sale and post-sale transition in 2011.

Graduating with honors from the University of North Dakota School of Law, Lynn served as a Burtness Scholar research assistant and law clerk for a report commissioned by the North Dakota Supreme Court and published in the North Dakota Law Review. After graduation, Lynn clerked for the state district court in Fargo and was the public affairs director for an insurance company where she investigated and managed consumer and regulatory matters.

Lynn is licensed in both North Dakota and Minnesota.

Lynn is married to Steve Ulland. They have four children.

Erin Conroy, Attorney And Advisor

Erin Conroy started her legal career as a state Supreme Court law clerk and then moved into the private practice of law focusing on corporate contract litigation, product liability, family law, and criminal defense.  Prior to joining the Fremstad Law Firm, Erin worked at one of the world’s largest legal professional outsourcing companies specializing in contract management, review and compliance, and assisting large corporate law departments re-design their legal services.  In that role, Erin designed, implemented and oversaw dozens of large scale document review and contract management engagements across the globe.  In addition to implementation work, Erin consults with clients to redesign their legal and contracting processes and invest in user-friendly technology.  Erin continues to assist clients with contract litigation and management, but also has an active criminal defense and family law practice.

Erin lives with her family in Fargo, North Dakota and enjoys watching movies by the Coen brothers in her spare time.

Leslie Thielen, Attorney And Advisor

Leslie earned her law degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  During law school, she clerked for the Hon. Judge Edward Vlack.  Prior to joining Fremstad Law, Leslie worked in private practice in Detroit Lakes, MN with a focus in estate planning, probate, and real estate law.  Since 2009, Leslie has been an instructor in the paralegal department of MState (Minnesota State Community and Technical College), teaching a wide-variety of legal courses including Legal Research and Writing, Business Law, and Ethics, among many others.

Leslie lives with her family in Detroit Lakes, MN and enjoys taking full advantage of the beautiful lake country.

Michelle Hoppe, Legal Assistant

Michelle is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead and has worked both in law firm and corporate settings including the Wold Johnson Law Firm and The Marcil Group, Inc. Michelle specializes in business and collections areas. Her responsibilities include assisting with the preparation of legal documents and facilitating client communications.

Michelle is married and lives in Fargo with her husband Chris and their two children.

Lori Zemke, Office Manager

Lori holds a degree in business from the University of North Dakota. She brings a diverse background in business and office administration to the Fremstad Law Firm from her years in facility management at Great Plains Software. She is responsible for the many facets of daily operations and business management of the firm.

Lori is married and lives in Fargo with her husband.

Carleen Wical, Reception & Assistant Office Manager

Carleen is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead.   Prior to joining Fremstad Law Carleen worked as an educator and in customer service.  She is currently the Receptionist and Assistant Office Manager.  

Carleen and her family live in Hendrum, Minnesota.


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