Mark R. Western

Born May 14, 1978 in Williston, North Dakota

A native of Stanley, N.D., Western joined the Nilles Law Firm in 2007. He received a J.D., with distinction, from the University of North Dakota School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota in 2000. While in law school, he participated on a Moot Court Championship team, was Articles Editor on the North Dakota Law Review, and competed on UND's American College of Trial Lawyers Mock Trial team. He is also a member of the Order of the Barristers and the Order of the Coif.

Prior to his legal career, Western served as a legislative aide in the Minnesota House of Representatives, taught world history and government in Hayfield, Minnesota, and served on the Hayfield City Council.

Presently, Western serves on the University of North Dakota Sigma Phi Epsilon Board of Directors and participates as a staff counselor at North Dakota Boys State. During his free time, Mark enjoys travel, running, and reading. He is an officer of the downtown Fargo Lions Club and is an officer of the F/M Claims Association.

Western is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota; the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Districts of North Dakota and Minnesota, and the state courts of North Dakota and Minnesota. His practice is focused on civil litigation, bankruptcy law, and insurance law.  Western also has a limited criminal practice, and is a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of North Dakota for Workforce Safety and Insurance. He is a member of the Ronald N. Davies Inn of Court, the American Bar Association, the Minnesota Bar Association, the State Bar Association of North Dakota, and the Cass County Bar Association.