Interns learn law in Alpena | News, Sports, Jobs

News photo by Temi Fadayomi. Attorney Bill Pfifer, left, poses with intern Nathan Kline in the office of Isackson, Wallace and Pfeifer on Thursday.

ALPENA – This summer, several law and paralegal firms have been working on the next generation of lawyers by hosting several interns.

The interns come from various law schools and have worked with both criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors.

Nathan Kline, a law student at Michigan State University, is one of those interns and works at Isackson, Wallace and Pfeifer in Alpena.

Born and raised in Alpena, Kline began his legal career after serving in the U.S. Army’s military intelligence service.

“I wanted to bring home the analytical skills I had acquired in the military,” Kline noted of his decision to study law at MSU.

His interest in local law firms was piqued by the high-profile cases Bill Pfeifer was handling, and so Isackson, Wallace and Pfeifer were an obvious choice.

Since joining the firm in May, Kline has handled a variety of criminal, municipal and probate cases.

“It was exciting and fulfilling,” Kline said, emphasizing how satisfying he was to contribute to his community through his work as an attorney.

Pfeifer, a senior attorney at the firm, expressed his appreciation for Kline’s contributions.

“Having Nathan here has been a tremendous asset,” said Pfeifer. “His background and dedication bring a fresh perspective to our team, especially when researching complicated legal issues.”

In the future, Kline plans to settle in northeast Michigan before possibly starting his own business.

“I can imagine staying here for a few more years to establish myself,” he explained. “At some point I would like to take on a role where I can determine my own work, possibly as a partner.”

Kline discussed the unique challenges and opportunities of the legal landscape in Northeast Michigan and emphasized the region’s need for legal professionals.

“There is a lot of demand here, especially among lawyers who are retiring,” he noted. “It’s an area where I can see myself making a long-term impact.”

Across town, Dayna Iwan of Wayne State University and Jack Beck of the University of Michigan are gaining valuable public defense experience at the Northeast Michigan Regional Defender Office, which represents defendants who cannot afford their own attorney.

Iwan and Beck are both in their third year of law school and found their internships through school programs that focus on public defense.

Iwan, originally from southeast Michigan, was drawn to Alpena because of her family ties and her interest in criminal law.

“True crime has always fascinated me,” she said. “Working here has solidified my passion for public defense and the impact it can have on individuals and communities.”

A New Jersey native, Beck was looking for a way to learn about Michigan’s legal landscape while staying connected to the state.

“My time in Alpena has shown me the importance of holistic defense approaches,” Beck said. “The collaboration between lawyers, social workers and the community here is inspiring.”

Both interns praised the structured and supportive environment of their respective offices.

“Alpena surprises with its organized resources and community-focused legal practice,” said Iwan. “It was eye-opening to see how effective this approach can be in ensuring fair representation.”

Iwan envisions settling in Northeast Michigan long-term, drawn to the region’s quiet charm and professional opportunities. Beck echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing Michigan’s diverse legal needs and commitment to making a meaningful impact on the state.

Both interns expressed their gratitude for the mentorship and learning opportunities their offices provided.

“This internship has been invaluable in developing my career goals,” noted Beck. “I feel prepared to navigate the complexities of the law by having a deeper understanding of community-based legal practices.”

Ben Bergstrom, a Toledo intern in his third year of law school at the University of Toledo, works for the Alpena County District Attorney’s Office.

“I accepted this internship through the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan,” Bergstrom explained. “I do everything a prosecutor would do under supervision – I write motions, conduct preliminary investigations, and even had the opportunity to assist in a trial.”

His interest in law was sparked by an inspiring professor during his undergraduate studies.

“There are practically no lawyers in my family, but my professor presented me with such a fascinating example of the work of a litigator,” says Bergstrom. “This initial fascination led me to pursue this path.”

Bergstrom found the work in Alpena to be educational and eye-opening.

“Everyone in Alpena has been really nice to me,” he said. “They’ve been supportive and helpful. It’s beautiful up here. I’ve never been this far north in Michigan.”

Bergstrom noticed a cooperative atmosphere in Alpena’s legal community that he said was different than he expected.

“Even between the defense and the prosecution, there is a great emphasis on finding solutions that benefit the community and the clients,” he noted. “It’s not as confrontational as I initially imagined. It’s more collaborative.”

Looking ahead, Bergstrom plans to take the Ohio bar exam and hopes to settle in northwest Ohio, although he remains open to opportunities in Michigan as well.

“I live close enough to Indiana and Michigan, less than an hour from all of them,” he explained. “So as of now, I plan to take the bar exam in Ohio and stay in this area.”

Looking back on his time in Alpena, Bergstrom emphasized the valuable skills and experiences he gained there.

“They’ve given me a lot of interesting assignments covering different areas of criminal law,” he said. “All in all, it’s been a very valuable experience and I’m really glad I accepted the offer.”

Reach Temi Fadayomi at 989-358-5693 or [email protected].