Ariston E. Johnson

Ariston E. Johnson is a Watford City, North Dakota lawyer who represents clients in oil and gas, personal injury, wrongful death, business, and civil litigation matters. He handles lease reviews, pipeline easements, surface use agreements, contract review, product liability, commercial disputes, probate, estate planning, evictions, collections, and appeals. His practice helps individuals, companies, landowners, and public entities address complex disputes and transactions across western North Dakota with practical legal guidance.

Ariston earned a J.D. from the College of William & Mary School of Law. He received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of North Dakota, with a minor in Mathematics. He graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors and participated in the honors program. His academic work included legal technology training and research for the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal, supporting analytical writing and courtroom preparation in complex disputes.

Ariston has handled matters involving oil and gas rights, products liability, negligence, immunity, corporate governance, easements, flood insurance, zoning, jurisdiction, quiet title, and deed interpretation. His selected reported cases include work before North Dakota state courts, federal district courts, the Eighth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He also advises county and municipal bodies on planning, zoning, local government duties, and public decision-making throughout North Dakota.

Ariston E. Johnson is admitted in North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, the federal district courts, the Eighth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He belongs to state and regional bar groups and trial lawyer organizations. His practice combines litigation experience, technical knowledge, and local understanding. By helping clients review agreements, protect rights, plan estates, and resolve disputes, he supports steady outcomes in demanding legal matters with focused legal preparation.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Johnson & Sundeen, Ltd.
• Member, Virginia State Bar
• Member, State Bar Association of North Dakota
• Member, Minnesota State Bar
• Member, Montana State Bar
• Member, Upper Missouri Valley Bar Association
• Member, American Association for Justice
• Member, North Dakota Association of Justice

Licensed State

• North Dakota
• Virginia
• Minnesota
• Montana

Education

• College of William & Mary School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of North Dakota
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges