Supreme Court applicant resume

Profiles of the North Dakota Supreme Court applicants

Thomas D. Kelsch

Thomas D. Kelsch PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1982 - Present
Kelsch Kelsch Ruff & Kranda
Attorney at Law (currently a senior partner)
Mandan, North Dakota

I am an experienced trial lawyer in commercial litigation, personal injury, tort, and products liability, with extensive knowledge in real estate, commercial contracts, trust and estate planning, probate matters, and domestic relations. I am active in the Firm's extensive lobbying effort with the North Dakota Legislature and Administrative Agencies. I have achieved a "BV" rating with Martindale and Hubble.

Past
Administrative Law Judge
Education for all Handicapped Children Act
North Dakota Public Instruction

1990 - 2000
Vice President, Mandan City Commission, portfolio included:

police and fire departments
engineering
planning and zoning
building inspection and assessing
water treatment
waste water treatment
cemetery
weed board
law enforcement building board

EDUCATION

Post Graduate:
University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota
1982 Juris Doctor with Distinction, Order of Coif (top ten percent of class)

Law Student Intern:
North Dakota State Legislature, 1981
United States Penitentiary Marion Illinois 1980

College:
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota
1979 Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science

High School:
Mandan High School, Mandan, North Dakota
National Honor Society Member, 1975

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT/LEADERSHIP

Community Board of Directors Security First Bank Mandan, 2003 to present
North Dakota Community Leadership Award recipient, 1998
1999 Legacy of Service Outstanding Volunteer, North Dakota State Bar Association
Director Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, fka GNDA 1998-2004,Executive Board Member 2002-2004, Director Legislative Affair's Committee, 1998-Present
Director Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce since 1999, Chairman of the Board 2004, current member of the Executive Board and Past Chairman
Bismarck State College Vocational & Technical Division Advisory Committee, Director, 1988-1991; President, 1991
First Presbyterian Church of Mandan, Elder, 1999-Present; Deacon, 1993-1998; Moderator of Deacons,
Roosevelt Grade School Parent Teacher=s Organization, Vice President, 1995-1996; President, 1996-1997
Dakota Star Gymnastics, Director, 1992-1995; President, 1994-1995
Mandan Youth Soccer, Coach, 1992-1999
Roosevelt Youth Grade School Basketball, 3^rd-6^th Grades, Coach, 1993-2000
Traveling team boys and girls basketball coach, 1996-2003
First Presbyterian Church, Sunday school Teacher, 1993-1996
Mandan Bambino Baseball, Coach, 1997, 1998.
Member Local Organizing Gold Medal Committee, Prairie Rose State Games, 1994-1995

ORGANIZATIONS

Officer Bismarck-Mandan Elks, 1999-2005, Exalted Ruler 2004-2005
Vice Chairman District 34 Republican Party 1990 to present
Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, Executive Board of Directors, 2003-2004
Bismarck/Mandan Chamber of Commerce Director since 1999, Executive Board 2003-2005, Chairman 2004

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Born: June 19, 1957, Mandan, North Dakota

Parents: William C. and Joan Kelsch

Married: Representative Rae Ann G. (Gummer) Kelsch since September 25, 1982

Children: Zachary, Alexander, and Cassandra

Interests: Traveling, Wood carving, Reading, Camping, Biking, Basketball, Skiing, and Golf

BAR MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS

State Bar Association of North Dakota
Past Member State Bar Association of North Dakota Advisory Committee on Administrative Hearings
Big Muddy Bar Association
Past Member American Bar Association
American Association of Trial Lawyers
North Dakota Association of Trial Lawyers
Past Member Bruce Van Sickle Inns of Court

LICENSED TO PRACTICE

US District Courts of North Dakota
North Dakota Supreme Court
North Dakota State District Courts
Turtle Mountain Tribal Court

LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE

I have appeared before the North Dakota Supreme Court in approximately 17 cases during my 22 years in the practice of law. During my first five to ten years of practice, I regularly was appointed to handle misdemeanor criminal work through Morton County. This area of practice involved numerous arraignments, plea negotiations and agreements, appearances, court trials and two criminal jury trials, both resulting in not guilty verdicts for the defendants.

I have appeared before the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, a handful of times, in civil lawsuits, both representing plaintiffs and defendants. During my 22 years of practice, I have had numerous hearings, trials and a number of jury trials. I have participated in both mediations and arbitrations. In my work at the Kelsch Kelsch Ruff and Kranda Law firm I have represented both the legal needs of rural Morton County farmers and ranchers as well as the owners of small and large businesses. I have also had significant experience in handling difficult domestic relation's matters.

April 27, 2005