Biography
Amanda Engen is the newest member of the Olson Law team and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. Amanda grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Seeking more diversity and adventure, she attended the University of Minnesota and fell in love with the Twin Cities. In 2004, she earned her Bachelors of the Arts degree from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities with a double major in Psychology and Political Science. After her undergraduate studies, she worked for a brief period as a Parenting Time Investigator in St. Paul before attending law school at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. It was at UNL that Amanda confirmed her passion for Family Law, receiving the CALI Award for Excellence in Family Law Practice. Amanda received her Juris Doctor degree in 2009, graduating in the top third of her class.
After law school, Amanda moved to Devils Lake where she worked in the Family Law field for nine years, first as an attorney for the regional child support unit and later in private practice. Amanda has fervently handled a wide variety of family law cases, from basic child support and parenting time issues to complex litigation involving family estates and multiple businesses. She has extensive experience handling complex jurisdictional issues. She has also argued before the North Dakota Supreme Court, securing the best possible outcome for her client. Amanda has appeared in hundreds of matters and is extremely comfortable in the courtroom. She is not afraid to zealously advocate for what is right and just and has a keen knack for relaying the client’s position in an effective manner.
Amanda is a 19-year veteran of the Army National Guard, currently serving as a Judge Advocate. She is a combat veteran, having deployed to Iraq for a year in 2006. Currently Amanda is serving in a Command Advisor/prosecutor role for the National Guard, but previously represented Soldiers in administrative actions and has specialized training in criminal defense work.
Amanda has a strong passion for social justice. Prior to joining the Olson Law team, Amanda worked in Indian Country for the Spirit Lake Tribe. In her position as the Juvenile Court Presenter, Amanda handled hundreds of juvenile deprivation cases, including several high-profile matters, and served on the North Dakota Supreme Court Tribal and State Court Affairs Committee.
Amanda is licensed to practice in Minnesota and North Dakota. Her primary areas of practice are family law and criminal law.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her three kids. She is a Rotarian and has served on the PTO. She has also traveled extensively, runs half marathons, and loves to play golf. She has made Buffalo her home and is looking forward to serving the community and the area.