Top best Criminal Defense Lawyers Near me in ZIP 97233

John grew up on his family's farm in Spiritwood, North Dakota, and graduated from Kindred High School in Kindred, North Dakota. He then immediately fled the abysmal winters of the Bison State for the sunny climes of Hawaii. There, he attended Hawaii Pacific University, and graduated with a degree in Marine Biology.. After graduation, he moved back to the mainland, with the intention of attending graduate school. A strange series of events led him to manage a pest control company in Portland, Oregon. From there, a car accident and a stroke of luck landed him in an attorney’s office, who eventually suggested he look into the law as a career change.. John decided to attend Lewis & Clark Law School, in Portland. During his first year of law school, he was a Pro Bono Award recipient, and received a prestigious Public Interest Law Project scholarship. He used his scholarship to work for WaterWatch of Oregon, which allowed him to protect Oregon’s water rights and to work on drafting legislation. In his second year, he was selected to join Lewis & Clark’s Jessup International Moot Court team, which won Best Brief at their regional competition and fourth place in the international rounds (the highest placing U.S. team). He also began a clerkship at Kahn & Ifversen Attorneys, LLP, where he served as a Certified Law Student and handled various criminal cases. Upon graduating he was awarded, in addition to his Juris Doctorate, a certificate in Criminal Law and Procedure.. To John, helping people through one of their most harrowing experiences gives him a great feeling of pride.  The combination of his love of helping people, and of trial practice (which he focused on in his course work) makes him an effective advocate for his clients.. In his spare time he enjoys cooking, fishing and learning to play the ukulele.