Mike is a lawyer/mediator, and a licensed member of the bar in North Dakota. As a mediator working in Houston, Texas, he found that experienced trial lawyers really weren't interested in his case evaluations. So he started conducting private trials, knowing that trial lawyers and their clients would be very interested in how "average citizens" responded to the facts, arguments and witnesses in a case. Because the opinions that ultimately count the most in our civil justice system belong to the jurors, First Court has retained its focus on helping to evaluate and settle lawsuits based on the reactions of disinterested lay people. Although we do work with experts in communication theory, the heart of our research and settlements has never been theory. Our process centers on real lawyers, real witnesses and real jurors. We use our Midwest location to conduct private trials and mediations throughout the United States. In the last twenty years we have had the pleasure of working in some of the most urban and some of the most rural venues in the country.Professionally, Mike earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan in 1985. He organized First Court back in 1989, after having worked for an insurance defense law firm for three years. On the personal side, Mike ran for the United States Senate in 2004 (losing to a long-time incumbent by 60,000 votes). Julie, his wife of 25 years, served in the Peace Corps in the Central African Republic. The Liffrigs have nine children, and live on a 500 acre ranch on the always thrilling prairie of western North Dakota.

Will manages a team of software developers and testers and has led several successful software projects in a very short period of time. His main duty is the management of all software development including First Court's permiere private trial application, Vulcan Interactive. Other projects include First Court's reporting, private trial preparation, and juror management applications. Will graduated from North Dakota State University with a B.S. in Education and Spanish, and a minor in Computer Science. He also has his Masters degree in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. Will joined First Court, Inc., in 2004, as a Webmaster, programmer, and graphics artist. His expertise is in designing solutions and graphical user interfaces. Will is active in the community as a board member for the Mandan Soccer Club, and active in the Church. He enjoys playing piano and writes music. As for soccer, he enjoys it so much that he built his own soccer field in his two acre back yard!

Emma Lazo Ladendecker is the Director of Major Claims at First Court. Formerly with ACE American Insurance Company and TM Claims Service, Inc., Emma brings more than 24 years of legal and insurance industry experience to the team. She has advanced industry experience specializing in major claims exposure with respect to products, premises, transportation, construction, and employer liability. Emma attended Ventura College of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor. She worked for several large insurance defense law firms in Los Angeles, California. Emma enjoys her interaction with lawyers -- plaintiff or defense-- and insurance personnel . She uses her years of industry experience and legal education to assist the 'Trial Team' move towards a successful trial. In her personal life, she enjoys the experience of different cultures in her travels. While traveling, she weaves in her joy for tasting and cooking different spices and cuisines and her love for nature. Emma is into hiking and yoga. She lives in California with her husband. They have two adult sons and she is "Lola" to her precious grandchild.