Law FirmRingstrom DeKrey, PLLP
3003 32nd Ave S, Suite 1, Fargo, North Dakota, 58103
Relentless Advocates Against State Abuse
Ringstrom DeKrey, PLLP has carved out a reputation as the premier "police accountability" boutique in the Red River Valley and across the Upper Midwest. Founded by elite trial attorneys who began their careers in the trenches of public defense, the firm specializes in exposing the inconsistencies and systemic failures of law enforcement agencies. Their history is defined by a refusal to accept the "official version" of events, instead utilizing aggressive discovery and private investigation to challenge police narratives that lead to wrongful arrests and constitutional violations.
The firm is particularly noted for its mastery of Section 1983 litigation, the federal mechanism used to sue government officials for civil rights abuses. While many firms in rural Minnesota and North Dakota avoid the complexity of suing local sheriff's departments or municipal police, Ringstrom DeKrey leans into these battles. They have a documented history of successfully "pressure-testing" police investigations, uncovering everything from suppressed body-cam footage to illegal warrantless entries into private homes.
Beyond individual misconduct, the firm targets the systemic rot that leads to wrongful convictions. Their litigation style is described as "surgical and exhaustive," focusing on the specific moments where an officer's decision-making deviates from constitutional standards. By maintaining a selective caseload, they ensure each case has the resources necessary to go to war with well-funded government legal teams, frequently forcing settlements by proving the state's position is legally or factually untenable.
Notable Results
- The primary firm in North Dakota for victims of police misconduct and constitutional violations in both state and federal courts
- $3.25 Million Federal Settlement: Secured in a landmark civil rights case involving systemic failures and illegal removal of children in Minnesota, marking one of the largest settlements of its kind in the region's history.
- First Wrongful Conviction Overturn in ND (2026): Successfully vacated a decades-old murder conviction for Werner Kunkel after proving that law enforcement and prosecutors suppressed exculpatory evidence.
- Landmark 4th Amendment Victories: The firm consistently secures dismissals in high-profile criminal cases by proving illegal police searches, which subsequently pave the way for civil rights payouts for the victims.
- Excessive Force Recoveries: Numerous confidential settlements in cases involving police tasing, illegal detentions, and "bad stops" where the firm successfully defeated qualified immunity defenses.
Key Characteristics
- Preeminent civil rights litigation firm in North Dakota
- Expertise in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals providing strong appellate capability for North Dakota civil rights cases
- Certified Specialists: Bruce Ringstrom Jr. and Dane DeKrey are among the very few attorneys in the region certified as Criminal Law Specialists, a distinction requiring advanced expertise and rigorous testing.
- Federal Court Dominance: Specialists in navigating the Eighth Circuit to bypass local government protections and hold officers personally accountable.
- Investigation-Heavy Approach: The firm employs deep-dive discovery tactics to find "missing" evidence that departments attempt to withhold or destroy.
- Boutique Focus: They operate as a high-engagement firm, ensuring that victims of police misconduct are not "just another file number" in a massive firm.