Vanessa L. Lystad

Specialization

• Employment Law
• Civil litigation

About Vanessa's Practice

Vanessa Lystad concentrates her practice in the areas of employment law and civil litigation in our Fargo office.
Vanessa graduated summa cum laude from Minot State University, majoring in sociology and German, and earned her J.D. from University of North Dakota School of Law, where she was elected to Order of the Coif. While in law school, Vanessa participated in moot court, was Managing Editor of the North Dakota Law Review, and completed externships with the Honorable Kermit E. Bye of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Honorable Joel D. Medd of the Northeast Central Judicial District.
A native of Jamestown, North Dakota, Vanessa enjoys biking, sewing, photography, and spending time outdoors (if the weather permits).

Major Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Editor, North Dakota Employment Law Letter
• Contributing Editor, Upper Midwest Employment Law Letter
• Author, "Rethinking your employee benefits for post-COVID-19 world," North Dakota Employment Law Letter, September 2021, and HR Daily Advisor, August 31, 2021
• Author, "Building on a brutal 2020: tips for tackling 3 big HR goals," North Dakota Employment Law Letter, March 2021, and HR Daily Advisor, March 4, 2021
• Author, "3 COVID-19 lessons to help us prepare for better 2021," North Dakota Employment Law Letter, January 2021, and HR Daily Advisor, December 23, 2020
• Author, "Tips on responding to your first discrimination charge," North Dakota Employment Law Letter, September 2019, and HR Daily Advisor, December 3, 2019
• Author, "New North Dakota Law Adds Exceptions to Noncompete Agreements," HR Daily Advisor, August 15, 2019
• Quoted, "Voters in 4 States Weigh in on Medical, Recreational Marijuana," HR Daily Advisor, November 8, 2018
• 2016 Vogel Law Employment Law Seminar: Bismarck, ND and Moorhead, MN
• 2014 Vogel Law Employment Law Seminar: Bismarck, ND and Moorhead, MN
• Collision of Negligence Theory: Does a "Blackout" Constitute a Sudden Emergency in North Dakota, 87 N.D. L. Rev. 233 (2012)
• Schools—District Liability: Political Subdivision Liability and School Duties Prevail Over Recreational Use Immunity, 86 N.D. L. Rev. 689 (2011)

Admitted to Practice

• North Dakota
• Minnesota
• United States District Court, District of North Dakota
• United States District Court, District of Minnesota
• 8th Circuit Court of Appeals