Spotlight

Stacey Dahl

Law Student

North Dakota Legislator

 

Near the end of the Spring Semester, 2007, Dahl, a law student at the University of North Dakota, completed her second legislative session as a Representative for District 42, in the North Dakota State Legislature. For the last four years she has had to balance being a student and a State Representative.

In the fall of 2004 a position opened for a seat in the District 42 House of Representatives. “I have always had a natural interest in civics and the political process,” stated Dahl, “so I jumped at the opportunity to run for an open seat.” She ran for the position during her final semester as an undergraduate student at UND and took her seat in the House of Representatives. Active involvement in UND Student Government as well as the North Dakota Student Association made the transition from representing students to representing residents in the district an easy one.

Balancing her service as a State Representative and as a law student, Dahl has been able to find a happy medium, combining both aspects of her life. “Law school has been an invaluable asset in my role as a public servant. Professors and other law school activities continually challenge students to make arguments on both sides of an issue. The analytical, rigorous process I was challenged with in my classes has helped me to ask tough questions and think through the consequences of a piece of policy.”

Everyday duties during the legislative session for Dahl included committee meetings, voting on bills during floor sessions, conference committees and communicating with constituents. During her session Dahl served on the Judiciary Committee, Government and Veteran Affairs Committee and the Constitutional Revision Committee. An important issue for her has been keeping young people in North Dakota. She has had a hand in working with policies addressing student loan rates and keeping tuition rates down.

Looking back, Dahl mentioned valuable experience she gained during the last session. One was the unique opportunity to work with members of both political parties from all walks of life to develop the best state policy. “Public service and community involvement benefit everyone and I encourage all law students to get involved in areas that interest them most.”

Dahl looks forward to the road ahead. Along the lines of most law students she anticipates completing her law degree and passing the bar. She and her husband love Grand Forks, and she hopes to stay in town in the practice of law.

By: Angie Barstad