R.J. Pathroff

R.J. represents companies and individuals in all aspects of business disputes. He represents plaintiffs in some cases and defendants in others. His clients come from a variety of industries, including construction, oil and gas, real estate, transportation, manufacturing, environmental, and insurance. R.J. has developed a particular emphasis in problems dealing with construction and real estate. He represents contractors, property owners, subcontractors, developers, and tenants during projects and in court and arbitration proceedings. It is important to R.J. that his clients understand the litigation process and are involved in the strategy and decision-making process each step of the way. R.J. is heavily involved in and responsible for all aspects of his cases, from initial client contact through the discovery process, motion practice, oral argument, mediation, trial or arbitration, and appeal. R.J. regularly appears on behalf of his clients in state and federal courts in North Dakota. R.J. graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in Public Policy and earned his J.D., with honors, at Southern Methodist University School of Law. During law school, he was Lead Articles Editor on the SMU Law Review, a national moot court team member, and a James Cleo Thompson Scholarship recipient. R.J. also completed externships with the Honorable Daniel L. Hovland of the U.S. District Court for North Dakota and with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. R.J. and his wife Kellen, an optometrist, both grew up in Bismarck. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees R.J. Pathroff included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Great Plains Rising Stars®, Thomson/Reuters, 2015 - 2025 Fellowship of the Construction Lawyers Society of America “The Best Lawyers in America; Ones to Watch,“ In Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Oil and Gas Law, and Real Estate Law, Woodward/White, 2024 "The Best Lawyers in America," In Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and, Litigation Construction, Woodward/White, 2025 Other Sources of Feedback About R.J. Pathroff Included on the 2025Great Plains Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2024 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2023 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2022 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2021 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2020 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2019 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2018 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2017 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2016 Great Plains Super Lawyers list 2015 Great Plains Super Lawyers list

• Attorney, Managing Partner

• Honorable Daniel L. Hovland of the U.S. District Court for North Dakota, Extern
• U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, Extern

• Getting Paid and Resolving Disputes, Sterling Education Services, August 24, 2016
• OSHA Inspections and the Aftermath, ND Solid Waste and Recycling Association, September 12, 2019
• Contract Drafting and Risk Management for Engineers: 12 Provisions You Need to Know, American Council of Engineering Companies of North Dakota Spring Conference, May 11, 2022
• Nuts and Bolts of Bidding Public Projects and Show Me the Money!, Associated General Contractors of North Dakota, December 6, 2022 - Present

• Young Professionals in Energy

• North Dakota
• Texas
• South Dakota

• State Bar Association of North Dakota
• State Bar of Texas
• The Big Muddy Bar Association
• American Bar Association (Forum on Construction Law)
• Judge Bruce M. Van Sickle American Inn of Court
• Associated Builders and Contractors