Darcie Einarson: Leading a Strong and Established Association
From The Gavel Summer 2017
Slowing Down and Simplifying to Improve the Practice of Law
by Darcie Einarson, SBAND President
Even in a traditional occupation, such as ours, we are forced to change with the times. When I began practicing, none of the lawyers at my firm had a computer on their desk. Research was performed with big, impressive books; pleadings were dictated. Clients came into the office for personal visits or called for legal advice.
I long for those days. Things were slower, more cordial, and more thoughtful. Clients and opposing counsel were more patient. We valued nice stationary, heavy stock paper, and personal connections. While we can’t entirely return to that time, we may be able to slow the hectic pace a bit.
The pace isn’t helped by the number of emails attorneys receive. They flood our inboxes from clients, other lawyers, the Court, and pretty much everyone else. In order to help with the hectic pace, I’d like to suggest 10 ways to help with the number of emails we all receive. If I can help in some way as your president, I will consider it a success. So, here are “Darcie’s Top 10 Rules of Email Etiquette.” [...]
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Leading a Strong and Established Association
An Interview with Darcie Einarson, SBAND President
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
I never considered law an option for me. I did not know any lawyers and was not really even sure what they did. In high school, I was the minority whip in a mock legislative session, and I recognized I had the “power of persuasion.” This was probably my first taste of what the practice of law might be like. I went to college with the plan to become a high school band director. I finished with a bachelor of arts in psychology, and my advisor in that department noticed my lawyering skills. He encouraged me to apply for law school and provided an excellent faculty reference. I suspect Dr. Paul Wright had no idea what his offhand comment meant to me at the time. It was life-changing.
What type of law do you practice?
I am a divorce lawyer. As a young lawyer, I had the fortune of working in a small firm with three others who had very diverse practices, and I learned a lot from them. I am the municipal judge in Grafton and a certified mediator and have law offices in Grafton and Cavalier. I love what I do. It is so rewarding to help people through such a hard time. If I were not a lawyer, I’d be a counselor. I guess they call it “Attorney and Counselor at Law” for a reason. [...]
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The Gavel is published by The State Bar Association of North Dakota