Kuchera, Stenehjem & Walberg, Partner, 1977 to date.
Admitted to practice in US Courts, 1977.
Admitted to North Dakota Bar, 1977.
University of North Dakota Legal Aid Association, summer, 1976.
USAF Court of Military Review, Law Clerk, The Pentagon, Arlington, VA, summer, 1975.
Practice has concentrated primarily in the areas of domestic relations law (divorce, separation, adoption, child support, and custody).
Represent clients in chapter 7 bankruptcy and wage earner reorganizations.
Substantial experience in the area of criminal law, with firm holding a part of the criminal defense contract for the Northeast Central Judicial District of the state. Included in this work is representation of clients in felony, misdemeanor, revocation, mental health, and juvenile matters.
Represented a number of individuals seeking claims against perpetrators of sexual abuse, including an adult daughter suing her father for sexual abuse she suffered as a child, a parishioner suing a priest for his sexual misconduct in the course of his counseling, and a brother suing a sister for abuse suffered as a child, among others.
Experience in the area of guardianships for developmentally disabled individuals and personal injury.
Has conducted various CLE seminars for the Bar Association over the years, including a workshop on domestic relations "Nuts and Bolts" and regularly has participated in "Legislative Update" programs for SBAND conventions over the years.
Civic involvement
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, 1995 to date.
National Conference of State Legislatures, State and Federal Issues Committee, 1995 to date.
American Legislative Exchange Council, Criminal Justice Committee, 1995 to date.
State Bar Association of North Dakota.
Grand Forks County Bar Association.
North Dakota Supreme Court Services Committee.
US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Programs - State Advisory Group Member.
Executive Board Member, Grand Forks Region, Annie E. Casey Foundation, 1991-1995.
Christus Rex Lutheran Church Board of Directors, 1985-1990.
North Dakota Special Olympics Board Member, 1980-1985.
Elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, 1976; re-elected, 1978.
Elected to the North Dakota Senate, 1980; re-elected, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996.
Chairman - Human Services & Veterans' Affairs Committee, 1985-1986.
Chairman - Interim Committee on Judiciary, 1987-1988 and 1995 - present.
ND Legislative Council, 1995 - present.
Legislative Service Award, State Bar Association of North Dakota, 1995.
Friend of Psychology Award, North Dakota Psychological Association, 1990.
Outstanding Young North Dakotan, Grand Forks Jaycees, 1984-1985.
Outstanding State Legislator Award, U.S. Association of Government Employees, 1982.
Champion of People's Right to Know, Sigma Delta Chi, N.D. Journalists, 1979.
Haus Rissen International Institute, Hamberg, Germany (delegate), 1985.
American Council of Young Political Leaders, delegate to Germany, 1978.
Senior Editor, UND Law Review, Recent Cases, published - Summer 1974.
Who's Who in the Midwest.
Who's Who in American Law.
Who's Who in American Politics.
Men of Achievement.
Family
Married to Beth Bakke Stenehjem, Director of Vision Resources, North Dakota School for the Blind.
One son, Andrew, age 17, a Senior at Central High School in Grand Forks.
Strengths you would bring to the Court
I hope my 21 years experience in the general practice of law, representing clients in a wide variety of cases, would benefit the Court.
Additionally, I have been a lawmaker for 22 years, and the sponsor of hundreds of pieces of legislation now part of our law. Many of these bills deal with improvements in our court structure and civil and criminal matters.
I have also been privileged to serve for the last two biennia as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over legislation dealing with the court system, criminal and civil statutes, election law, gaming, and constitutional revision.
Background