(Back row from left to right) Chris Kennelly and Jeff Gunkelman look forward to practicing law in the Valley City area continuing the work of (Front row from left to right) Carol S. Nelson and R. Jon Fitzner.
Kennelly Business Law has acquired Fitzner and Nelson PLLP and has established a Valley City, ND office.
Fitzner and Nelson, after practicing law for 50 and 35 years respectively, retired on September 30, 2016.
Kennelly, Gunkelman of Kennelly Business Law will practice with them at the present location on the second floor of the City-County Health Building at 415 2nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND until Sept. 30. Upon the retirement of Fitzner and Nelson, Kennelly Business Law will continue to practice in Valley City at 253 Central Avenue N., Valley City, ND.
Fitzner joined the law firm of Sproul & Fitzner in 1967 and has continuously practiced in Valley City since then. He was the city attorney of Valley City as well as other municipalities for over 40 years. His firm was started in 1890 by Herman and Edward Winterer.
Carol S. Nelson joined Mikal Simonson’s law practice in 1981 following the election of John T. Paulson as District Judge. Carol was Assistant State’s Attorney and State’s Attorney for nine years. Carol’s firm was started by A.P. Paulson in 1897.
The firms have had numerous partners and associates over the years including: former Congressman for ND Earl R. Pomeroy III, former ND Supreme Court Justice William L. Paulson, former District Judges John T. Paulson and Mikal Simonson, current District Judge Brad Cruff, former ND Insurance Commissioner Glenn Pomeroy, John’s father Romen H. Fitzner and Dean Lenaburg.
Kennelly started his practice of law in 1997 after graduating from Gonzaga University School of Law with an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of North Dakota. He is also a Certified Professional Accountant.
Gunkelman started his practice of law in 2012 after graduating from the University of North Dakota of Law with an undergraduate degree in Banking and Financial Economics from the University of North Dakota.
Kennelly Business Law offers a variety of services primarily focused on business, real estate, estate planning, probate and litigation. Kennelly Business Law also maintains an office in Fargo, ND.
