Lisa M. Hettich is a Partner in the Williston office who has been dedicated to her practice as a trial attorney across North Dakota and eastern Montana for more than a decade.
A significant portion of Lisa’s work involves estate and trust litigation, where she navigates contested probate and trust administrations as well as guardianship matters with a commitment to protecting her clients’ interests. Her proficiency in this area reflects Lisa’s dedication to ensuring that the rule of law is correctly applied so all interested parties receive fair and just resolutions during challenging times.
Lisa has noteworthy experience in commercial litigation matters. She represents clients in litigating breach of contract and warranty issues, handling shareholder and other business disputes, and managing collection matters. Her experience further extends to representing clients in protecting their property interests by way of partition and quiet title actions and addressing landlord-tenant disputes.
As a trial attorney, Lisa brings extensive jury and bench trial experience in both state and federal courts as well as appellate experience before both the Montana and North Dakota Supreme Courts. She also understands the importance of mutual resolution, having considerable experience with successful negotiations and mediations.
Lisa is deeply committed to working to right wrongs and to aid those who cannot or do not know how to help themselves. She believes in prioritizing quality over quantity, ensuring that every client receives the same level of dedicated care, regardless of the size of their case. Lisa often takes on challenging cases, finding the most fulfillment in being a supportive advocate and making a meaningful difference for clients when they need it most.
Lisa received her J.D., with Highest Honors, from Drake University Law School in 2012, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and an editor and contributor to the Drake Law Review. She served as a student extern to the Honorable Edward M. Mansfield, Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, as well as a student intern with Joe Bolkcom, Senator of the Iowa State Senate. Lisa continues to build her knowledge outside of her practice and has completed National Institute for Trial Advocacy Trainings in both Building Trial Skills and Deposition Skills.
Outside of the practice of law, Lisa, who is originally from Sidney, MT, enjoys making memories with her husband and their daughters, playing the piano, and visiting her family just over state lines.
Great Plains Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” 2018-2022
Williston’s “20 Under 40” in 2025
American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Fort Union Inns of Court
North Dakota Defense Lawyers Association, Former President
North Dakota Supreme Court Disciplinary Board
North Dakota Supreme Court Joint Procedure Committee
State Bar Association of North Dakota
State Bar of Montana
Upper Missouri Bar Association, Former President, Former Secretary/Treasurer
Women Lawyers Section Executive Committee
BIO Girls of Williston, Mentor
Williston Community Library, Board of Trustees
Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, Graduate of “Leadership Williston” Program
Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, Former Member of Leadership & Education Committee, and “Lemonade Day Williston” Subcommittee
Troubadour Oil & Gas v. Rustad, et al., 2022 ND 191 – on brief and argued – writ of supervision granted – disclosing a client or client representative as an expert witness is not a per se waiver of any privileges – state discovery rules relating to work product do not apply to discovery of an expert’s information.
Johnson v. Menard, Inc., 2021 ND 19 – on brief and argued – contrary to NDCC 28-27-29.1, motion for judgment as a matter of law under NDRCivP 50(a) must be renewed under NDRCivP 50(b) to preserve appeal – amending complaint for recovery of more than $15,000 after case is removed from small claims court does not preclude attorneys’ fees award under NDCC 27-08.1-04.
Three Aces Properties, LLC v. United Rentals, Inc., 2020 ND 258 – on brief and argued – as a matter of first impression, the lesser amount of cost of repair and diminution in value is the measure of damages for commercial tenant’s breach of contractual duty to maintain and repair.
Devore v. American Eagle Energy Corporation, et al., 2020 ND 23, 937 N.W.2d 503 – on brief – applying non-liability of employer for negligence of independent contractor to determine oil well operator not responsible for negligence of employee of water transfer company, which company contracted with operator for the work.
Palmer, et al. v. Gentek Building Products, Inc., 2019 ND 306, 936 N.W.2d 552 – on brief and argued – state court had jurisdiction to hear warranty claim under Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and make attorneys’ fees award regardless of prior class action because warrantor could not prove notice was given to plaintiffs who were “known claimants,” which was required notice in the class action; thus, claimants were not parties to the class action and were not bound thereby.
Frontier Fiscal Services LLC v. Pinky’s Aggregates, Inc., et al., 2019 ND 147, 928 N.W.2d 449 – on brief – affirmance of summary judgment enforcing personal guaranty because consideration is any benefit conferred or detriment suffered.
Arnegard, et al. v. Arnegard Township, 2018 ND 80, 908 N.W.2d 737 – on brief and argued – CUP, alone, is not a contract – political subdivision has no duty to disclose validly-enacted ordinance or amendment if statute was followed when enacting it – CUP, alone, does not create a protected property interest for purposes of a due process analysis under the state or federal constitutions.
Matter of Estate of Nohle, 2017 ND 100, 893 N.W.2d 755 – on brief and argued – affirmance of district court’s denial of a motion to modify a court-ordered distribution of an estate when motion brought more than 50 years after order of distribution entered and effected.
Matter of Estate of M.D., 2017 MT 22, 388 P.3d 954 – on brief (no argument granted) – matter of first impression concluding that son, on these particular facts, was not disqualified as mother’s guardian under section 72-5-312(1), Mont. Code Ann.
In re Guardianship of R.G., 2016 ND 96, 879 N.W.2d 416 – on brief and argued – order appointing a conservator and guardian is appealable without Rule 54, N.D.R.Civ.P., certification – courts have discretion to pass over most recently-nominated person in durable power of attorney and appoint another conservator or guardian if the court finds good cause for doing so.
Cheetah Properties 1, LLC v. Panther Pressure Testers, Inc., 2016 ND 102, 879 N.W.2d 423 – on brief and argued – a wilful holding over by a tenant must be intentional and not inadvertent – if the court invites briefing on an issue without objection in summary proceedings, the court must resolve the issue with reasoned legal analysis.
Moody, et al. v. Sundley, 2015 ND 204, 868 N.W.2d 491 – on brief and argued – every element of adverse possession must be satisfied to confer title – implied amendments to a pleading are accomplished where evidence introduced varies the theory of the case and is not otherwise relevant to any other issue pleaded.
In re Estate of Cashmore, 2013 ND 150, 836 N.W.2d 427 – on brief – contempt as a sanction requires the contemnor receive notice and hearing – verified, sworn statements to close are of no effect if outstanding claim is known to and not acknowledged by personal representative.
Great Plains Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” 2018-2022
Williston’s “20 Under 40” in 2025
American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Fort Union Inns of Court
North Dakota Defense Lawyers Association, Former President
North Dakota Supreme Court Disciplinary Board
North Dakota Supreme Court Joint Procedure Committee
State Bar Association of North Dakota
State Bar of Montana
Upper Missouri Bar Association, Former President, Former Secretary/Treasurer
Women Lawyers Section Executive Committee
BIO Girls of Williston, Mentor
Williston Community Library, Board of Trustees
Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, Graduate of “Leadership Williston” Program
Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, Former Member of Leadership & Education Committee, and “Lemonade Day Williston” Subcommittee
Troubadour Oil & Gas v. Rustad, et al., 2022 ND 191 – on brief and argued – writ of supervision granted – disclosing a client or client representative as an expert witness is not a per se waiver of any privileges – state discovery rules relating to work product do not apply to discovery of an expert’s information.
Johnson v. Menard, Inc., 2021 ND 19 – on brief and argued – contrary to NDCC 28-27-29.1, motion for judgment as a matter of law under NDRCivP 50(a) must be renewed under NDRCivP 50(b) to preserve appeal – amending complaint for recovery of more than $15,000 after case is removed from small claims court does not preclude attorneys’ fees award under NDCC 27-08.1-04.
Three Aces Properties, LLC v. United Rentals, Inc., 2020 ND 258 – on brief and argued – as a matter of first impression, the lesser amount of cost of repair and diminution in value is the measure of damages for commercial tenant’s breach of contractual duty to maintain and repair.
Devore v. American Eagle Energy Corporation, et al., 2020 ND 23, 937 N.W.2d 503 – on brief – applying non-liability of employer for negligence of independent contractor to determine oil well operator not responsible for negligence of employee of water transfer company, which company contracted with operator for the work.
Palmer, et al. v. Gentek Building Products, Inc., 2019 ND 306, 936 N.W.2d 552 – on brief and argued – state court had jurisdiction to hear warranty claim under Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and make attorneys’ fees award regardless of prior class action because warrantor could not prove notice was given to plaintiffs who were “known claimants,” which was required notice in the class action; thus, claimants were not parties to the class action and were not bound thereby.
Frontier Fiscal Services LLC v. Pinky’s Aggregates, Inc., et al., 2019 ND 147, 928 N.W.2d 449 – on brief – affirmance of summary judgment enforcing personal guaranty because consideration is any benefit conferred or detriment suffered.
Arnegard, et al. v. Arnegard Township, 2018 ND 80, 908 N.W.2d 737 – on brief and argued – CUP, alone, is not a contract – political subdivision has no duty to disclose validly-enacted ordinance or amendment if statute was followed when enacting it – CUP, alone, does not create a protected property interest for purposes of a due process analysis under the state or federal constitutions.
Matter of Estate of Nohle, 2017 ND 100, 893 N.W.2d 755 – on brief and argued – affirmance of district court’s denial of a motion to modify a court-ordered distribution of an estate when motion brought more than 50 years after order of distribution entered and effected.
Matter of Estate of M.D., 2017 MT 22, 388 P.3d 954 – on brief (no argument granted) – matter of first impression concluding that son, on these particular facts, was not disqualified as mother’s guardian under section 72-5-312(1), Mont. Code Ann.
In re Guardianship of R.G., 2016 ND 96, 879 N.W.2d 416 – on brief and argued – order appointing a conservator and guardian is appealable without Rule 54, N.D.R.Civ.P., certification – courts have discretion to pass over most recently-nominated person in durable power of attorney and appoint another conservator or guardian if the court finds good cause for doing so.
Cheetah Properties 1, LLC v. Panther Pressure Testers, Inc., 2016 ND 102, 879 N.W.2d 423 – on brief and argued – a wilful holding over by a tenant must be intentional and not inadvertent – if the court invites briefing on an issue without objection in summary proceedings, the court must resolve the issue with reasoned legal analysis.
Moody, et al. v. Sundley, 2015 ND 204, 868 N.W.2d 491 – on brief and argued – every element of adverse possession must be satisfied to confer title – implied amendments to a pleading are accomplished where evidence introduced varies the theory of the case and is not otherwise relevant to any other issue pleaded.
In re Estate of Cashmore, 2013 ND 150, 836 N.W.2d 427 – on brief – contempt as a sanction requires the contemnor receive notice and hearing – verified, sworn statements to close are of no effect if outstanding claim is known to and not acknowledged by personal representative.
