Janel B. Fredericksen

Janel B. Fredericksen is a partner at Smith & Strege Ltd. in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Her practice focuses primarily on estate planning, probate, elder law, adoption, guardianship and conservatorship, and tax matters. She also is a certified mediator and has significant trial experience. Her work brings together planning for future needs and representation in proceedings that can affect families, estates, and important personal decisions.

Janel received a B.S. from Concordia College in 1991, graduating cum laude with majors in Business Administration and Communications. She earned her J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1994. During law school, she completed two summer clerkships with Smith & Strege. This blend of business education and early legal experience supports her work with estate administration, financial concerns, and family-related legal matters.

Janel joined Smith & Strege after graduating from law school and became a partner in 2003. Her practice includes preparing for the transfer of estates, addressing probate responsibilities, and assisting with elder care planning. She also works on adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, and tax matters. Through mediation and trial experience, she can address issues that call for either structured discussion or formal court proceedings.

Janel B. Fredericksen is admitted in North Dakota and Minnesota, the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, and the U.S. Tax Court. She previously chaired the North Dakota Inquiry Committee and has served on community and professional boards. Her legal and civic experience supports her work with clients facing decisions about estates, families, and long-term planning.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Smith & Strege Ltd.
• Member, State Bar Association of North Dakota
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Southeast Judicial Bar Association
• Member, Richland County Bar Association
• Past Member, North Dakota Council of School Attorneys
• Chair, North Dakota Inquiry Committee (2007 – 2013)
• Board Member, Three Rivers Crisis Center
• Chair, Breckenridge 846 Education Foundation Board
• Chair, Breckenridge Lutheran Church Trust Fund Committee
• Committee Member, Breckenridge Public Service Commission

Licensed State

• North Dakota
• Minnesota

Education

• University of North Dakota School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota
  Bachelor of Science (BS) (Cum Laude)

Awards & Badges