He is a 1986 graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law and has been in private practice since that time. He has served as City Attorney for Larimore and attorney for numerous other municipalities and political subdivisions. In addition to his legal work, he has been a college and university instructor for 25 years with Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, Park University at Grand Forks Air Force Base, and with the University of Mary masters program in Grand Forks.