Denise was born and raised in Minot, North Dakota and is a 1984 graduate of Minot High School.   She attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and graduated magna cum laude in 1987 with a bachelor of arts in Political Science and Philosophy through the Honors Program.  She earned her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, New Jersey in 1992.  Since that date, she has been admitted to practice in North Dakota state court as well as United States District Court for the District of North Dakota.

Denise has over 18 years of experience both in private practice and public service.  Prior to joining Larson Latham Huettl LLP, she was in private practice as a partner in Hays Law Firm P.C. and as an associate with a firm in Minot, North Dakota.  Denise has worked in public service as an administrative law judge for the North Dakota Department of Transportation and as an Assistant States Attorney for the Ward County Child Support Enforcement Unit.  She also worked as a trust officer for a North Dakota bank and trust company.  Her primary areas of practice are family law, criminal defense, civil litigation, and estate planning. 

Aside from living in the Philadelphia area during law school, Denise is a lifelong resident of North Dakota and appreciates all it has to offer.   She has raised and trained Labrador Retrievers for many years and has competed in US and Canadian field trials, winning both open and amateur titles.