Adam Joel Justinger

Adam Justinger recognizes that some of the most difficult times in an individual’s life is when they have been charged with a crime. As a criminal defense attorney for SW&L Attorneys, Adam vigorously defends his clients and strives to get his clients the best possible outcome in their case.

What Made Adam Want to Practice Criminal Defense

During his first year of law school, Adam was unsure of what area of law he wanted to practice. At the end of his first year, Adam accepted a law clerk position with a criminal defense firm in Grand Forks, North Dakota. During his two years as a law clerk, Adam found his passion doing criminal defense law. After clerking, Adam was hired by SW&L Attorneys to practice in the area of criminal defense and has decided to focus his career on the defense of people accused of crimes.

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 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.

Personal Background

Adam was born and raised in Kimberly, Wisconsin by his mother who taught him the importance of an 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 hardwork, 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. In his spare time, Adam enjoys traveling/spending time with his girlfriend, hunting and fishing, socializing with family and friends, listening to music, and cooking.

Bar Admissions

Admitted to practice in North Dakota since 2018, Bar ID number 08635
Admitted to practice in Minnesota since 2018, Bar ID number 0400351
Admitted to practice in United States District Court, District of North Dakota since 2018.
Admitted to practice in United States District Court, District of Minnesota since 2023.
Admitted to practice in United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit since 2022.

Adam is not licensed to practice law in any jurisdiction not identified above.

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

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

Blog Articles and Contributing Information

For Adam’s blog articles, current criminal defense issues, and other relevant information regarding the area of criminal defense, add Adam on LinkedIn.