Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle Chief Justice North Dakota Supreme Court 600 E. Boulevard., Dept 180 Bismarck, ND 58505-0530
Re: Proposed Amendments to the Rule on Limited Practice of Law by Law Students
Dear Chief Justice VandeWalle:
The Joint Committee on Attorney Standards has reviewed the referral of proposed amendments to the Rule on Limited
Practice of Law by Law Students submitted to the Supreme Court by Matthew Headley, a student attorney in the Clinical
Education Program at the University of North Dakota School of Law. The amendments would permit a law student in the
clinical program to engage in limited practice under the rule after completion of three semesters of legal study.
The Joint Committee reviewed the proposed amendments, explanatory letter, and sample rules from other
jurisdictions submitted by Mr. Headley. Mr. Headley and Assistant Professor Margaret Moore Jackson also participated in
the Committee’s review to provide comments. The rules submitted as part of the amendment request indicate that several
jurisdictions permit students enrolled in a clinical program to engage in limited practice with fewer hours of completed legal
study than is otherwise generally required. Joint Committee members are uniformly impressed with the operation of the
Clinical Education Program, the experience it provides for law students, and the services it provides to those in the community
who are in need of such services. The Joint Committee concluded the proposed amendments would be a positive addition
to our current rules.
The Joint Committee voted unanimously to submit the proposed amendments to the Supreme Court, pending review
and comment by the SBAND Board of Governors as required under Administrative Rule 38. The Board reviewed the
amendments at its June 12 meeting and supports the proposed amendments. I am pleased therefore to submit the amendments
to the Supreme Court for its consideration.
If you should have any questions concerning the Joint Committee’s submission, please contact me at your
convenience.
Sincerely,
Sandi Tabor, Chair Joint Committee on Attorney Standards
ST/ Attachment cc: Penny Miller, Clerk of the Supreme Court Jim Ganje