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Nicholas Dwight Thornton
also known as Nick Thornton
About Nicholas
Biography
Nick loves practicing law in and out of the courtroom. He has extensive experience in representing people in all stages of criminal proceedings, from the first appearance or arraignment through trial, appeal, and post-conviction proceedings. While his primary practice area is criminal law, Nick also practices in family law, personal injury, and general litigation. Nick is licensed to practice in all federal and state courts in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Before joining Fremstad Law Firm, Nick represented almost two-thousand individual clients at the Fargo Public Defender Office in all types of criminal cases from driving under the influence and driving under suspension to murder and gross sexual imposition. Before that, he clerked for Justice Carol Ronning Kapsner at the North Dakota Supreme Court.
Nick received his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He received his law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. Nick has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Mary and is pursuing a Ph.D. in criminal justice from the University of North Dakota.
Nick has authored two articles published by the North Dakota Law Review, presented on a number of criminal defense-related topics at continuing legal education seminars, and has taught law-related classes at the University of Mary. Nick is a past-president and charter member of the North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Nick also serves as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at a local youth wrestling club.
Nick is originally from Jamestown, North Dakota. He and his wife have two very active sons. During their spare time, Nick and his family enjoy traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in North Dakota for 19 years
State: North Dakota
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in Minnesota for 18 years
State: Minnesota
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
Fremstad Law Firm
P.O. Box 3143, 3003 32nd Ave S, Ste 240, Fargo, ND, 58108-3143
Fremstad Law Firm
200 Central Ave. N., Valley City, ND, 58108
Fremstad Law Firm
119 Graystone Plaza, Detroit Lakes, MN, 56501
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Nicholas Dwight Thornton's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
12 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 12 reviews
Posted by anonymous | October 08, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Highly Recommend Nick Thornton
We hired Nick Thornton, for our son who was facing Class C Felony charges. Nick was professional, kind honest and truly interested in a good outcome for our son. Our son made a plea deal to serve 6 years. Nick was there for him every step of the way. He answered all of our questions too, and explaine...
Posted by anonymous | April 11, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Drug Crime
Had all the credentials on paper, and backed those up in court.
I first reached out to Nick because of his resume on Avvo. When comparing to other lawyers in the area on this metric, he was a no brainer. For context, I hired him in regards to a drug case. Leading up to my final court date, we had not reached an agreement with the prosecutor and because of this I ...
Posted by anonymous | July 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Professional, efficient, reliable
I was charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly making threats in the workplace. This event never took place, as I was miles away from the office building at the time when this alleged (fictional) event took place. The allegations was made by a clerical staff with whom I have little contact. There wer...
Posted by Heather | June 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Defendant
He has done a great job with helping me with my case and beating it. I haven't ever been so pleased with any other lawyer then I am now. I would reccomend him to any one. Thank you again nick for everything you have done
Posted by Eric | March 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Gun Law
Concealed Carry (Firearms) License
I contacted Nick Thornton to help acquire North Dakota Concealed Carry (Firearms) License, Seeing the paper work From the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, inquired questions regarding a past convictions. I choose to let the professionals at Fremstad Law. To help fill out the details. ...
Nicholas Dwight Thornton's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Nick is highly experienced, hard working, and intelligent."
"Nick is a very knowledgeable, persistent, and capable criminal defense attorney. He is always on top of new developments in the field and is well respected by his peers, as reflected by his election as President of the North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. He's been an excellent sounding board for case theory and trial strategy over the years and I regularly refer clients to him in the eastern part of the state. I wouldn't hesitate to contact him for representation in a criminal matter."
"I have been privileged to work with Nick for several years and have known him since he came out of law school. He has always wanted to be a criminal defense attorney. He is unique in my opinion as he is both a scholar and a true in the trenches trial lawyer. I strongly endorse him in the area of criminal defense."
"I endorse this lawyer. Nick Thornton has literally handled hundreds of misdemeanor and felony matters and tried many to verdict. Nick is not afraid of a fight and he also serves the legal community as the President of the Cass County Bar Association. Nick is extremely intelligent and is a very effective oral advocate for his clients."
"Nick is one of the most knowledgeable, hardest working and best criminal attorneys in the state. I would whole heartedly endorse him for and trust him with any criminal-law related matter."
"I endorse this lawyer. It is reassuring to have an attorney like Nick available to whom I can refer clients with potential criminal issues. He takes the time to listen to his clients and to work closely with them in advocating for their rights."
"Nick is a zealous advocate for his clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"When it comes to ethics and concern for clients, this attorney goes above and beyond, I highly endorse this attorney for legal representation. Not only are they a well respected member of their community but a respected member in the legal field."
"I endorse Nicholas. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I have dealt with Mr. Thornton on criminal law issues in the past and place a great deal of trust in what he has to say. As an immigration lawyer, I know that many criminal defense lawyers are unfamiliar with my area of the law, but Mr. Thornton is a clear exception to the rule. He is the author of an excellent law review article on the US Supreme Court decision in Padilla v. Kentucky and for me the test of a great lawyer is one who has a good understanding of areas that directly impact their area of practice. Mr. Thornton passes that test with flying colors. I would trust a referral to Mr. Thornton without any second thought."
"Smart attorney."
James Martens
Criminal defense lawyer
James Teigland
Litigation lawyer
Mark Western
Litigation lawyer
Leslie Thielen
Business lawyer
Lesley Foss
Family lawyer
Joel Fremstad
Litigation lawyer
Scott Strand
Construction and development lawyer
Experience
Honors
2015
Rising Stars, SuperLawyers
2014
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2006
Order of the Coif, Order of the Coif
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Attorney, Fremstad Law Firm
2010 - 2014
Facilitator - Adjunct Faculty, University of Mary
2008 - 2014
Public Defender, North Dakota Commission for Legal Defense of Indigents
2008 - 2008
Adjunct Professor - Criminal Law, Minnesota State University Moorhead
2007 - 2008
Associate, Serkland Law Firm
2006 - 2007
Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner, North Dakota Supreme Court
Associations
2014 - Present
Joint Committee on Attorney StandardsMember
2009 - Present
North Dakota State Bar Association, Consumer Protection CommitteeMember
2008 - Present
American Bar Association Advisory PanelPanelist
2008 - Present
North Dakota State Bar Association, Criminal Lawyers SectionMember
2007 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2007 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Cass County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
North Dakota State Bar AssociationMember
2012 - 2013
North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense LawyersPast President
2011 - 2012
North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense LawyersPresident
2010 - 2011
North Dakota Association of Criminal Defense LawyersVice President
Education
2008
University of Mary
Master of Business Administration
2006
University of North Dakota School of Law
Juris Doctor, with Distinction
2003
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude
Speaking Engagements
2015
The Current
The Demand for DNA in Court Cases
2015
Cass County Bar Association - February 2015 Meeting
Evaluating Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders
2014
Strategies in Defending DWI and DUI Cases in North Dakota
Defending DWI/DUI Cases
2011
Minnesota State University Moorhead Criminal Law Association
Drug Cases: Recent Trends
2011
Immigration Consequences CLE
Padilla and Beyond: How Padilla v. Kentucky Changed the Game in North Dakota
2011
2011 Indigent Defense Seminar
Selected Ethical Considerations for State Criminal Defense Practitioners
2009
Minnesota State University Moorhead Speaker Series
Driving While Under the Influence: A Primer to DUI/DWI Law, Procedure, and Consequences
2008
Cocaine Sentencing: Resolving Disparities
Disparities in crack sentencing after Gall and Kimbrough
Publications
2011
2010
2008
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Will the police help me and my son leave the apartment we share with his father?
06 Apr 2020
Q&A
If if a citation is filled out incorrectly by the officer is it invalid?
04 Mar 2019
Q&A
Can i get a domestic off my record?
09 Aug 2018