Jon W. Backes

Biography

Jon Backes has focused on providing his clients with practical, efficient and effective business, financial and legal counsel for the past 25 years. Jon works with individuals, business owner and businesses large and small on matters ranging from business start-ups to estate planning and estate administration. In his 20 plus years in practice in western North Dakota, Jon has assisted his clients in the purchase, sale, transfer and financing hundreds of millions of dollars in assets.

Jon’s experience encompasses all facets of business and personal financial law, including, real estate purchase, sales and development; business purchases and sales; asset purchases and sales; lease transactions and acquisition and divestiture of assets through mergers and acquisition. When working with individuals clients on personal matters, Jon’s experience in will, trusts, family partnership and other planning tools assist in helping clients achieve their individual goals and objectives. Jon’s hands-on approach is based on his philosophy of understanding his clients and their goals, and working with them to achieve those goals in a creative, timely and effective manner. Jon’s clients range from farmers and agri-businesses to health care providers and energy companies.

Born and raised in Minot, Jon William Backes received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1983 from Minot State University. After several years in the real estate and property management business, Jon attended the University of North Dakota, School of Law, graduating in 1990 with Distinction. While in law school, Jon served on the Board of Editors of the North Dakota Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif, a national honor society for law school graduates. Jon was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1990 and practiced law with a Denver law firm from 1990 to 1993 where his practice focused on commercial and business litigation. Jon returned to Minot and was admitted to practice in North Dakota in 1993. He has practiced with the McGee law firm since 1993.

Author of, "Mortgages: North Dakota's Anti-Deficiency Statute Defined," 56 North Dakota Law Review, Jon is a member and past president of the Ward County Bar Association, and is also a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and the Colorado Bar Association . Jon spent several years as a grader grading bar examinations for the North Dakota Bar Board.

Public service through servant leadership is one of Jon’s passions. Jon has led numerous discussions on the legal aspects and importance of estate planning. He is a past President and former member of North Dakota’s State Board of Higher Education which oversees North Dakota's 11 public colleges and universities. Jon has served on several local and statewide search committees for higher education leaders. He serves on the board of directors of First Western Bank and Trust, the Minot State University Foundation, the Minot Catholic Schools Foundation, and has served on the governance boards of the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, the St. Joseph's Community Health Foundation Minot Art Association, the Minot Gun Club and the Minot Area Girls Fast Pitch Softball Association. His interests include reading, hunting, fishing and spending time with his wife and three daughters.

Education

Law School:
University of North Dakota School of Law
Undergraduate:
Minot State University, Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Legal Assistant

Abigail Rossow
701.852.2544

I truly enjoy working with my clients and colleagues to find creative and effective solutions to the opportunities, challenges and problems life and business present.  Understanding my client’s goals, and working collaboratively with them to find creative and effective strategies and solutions drive my practice.  By actively listening, thorough work and effective communication we help clients achieve their goals.