Clifford E. Jansonius

District Court Judge

Elected: 1963 - 1974

Judge Jansonius was born in Bowdon, North Dakota, February 2, 1909. He attended the University of North Dakota for a year, then attended the Gregg School of Court Reporters in Chicago, Illinois. He studied law under his father and was admitted to the Bar in 1934. When he returned from the United States Navy in 1943, he started a law practice in Bismarck, North Dakota with Alvin C. Strutz. In 1951 he served in the legislature as a Representative. He became Judge of the Fourth Judicial District in 1963, served in that capacity until his retirement in 1974. Judge Jansonius died in Munich, Germany, October 26, 1980.

Fred Jansonius

District Court Judge

Appointed: 1923 - 1947

Judge Jansonius was born in Ackley, Iowa, on December 28, 1877. He attended Nora Springs Seminary, Highland Park College and University of North Dakota, was admitted to the North Dakota Bar June, 1904. Practiced law at Bowdon, North Dakota from 1904 to January 1, 1911. Elected County Judge of Wells County in 1910 and served until January 1, 1923. On January 5, 1923 he was appointed Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, by Governor Ragnvold A. Nestos, he served in that capacity until his death on June 21, 1947.

Jon J. Jensen

District Court Judge/Chief Justice

Appointed: 2017 - Present

Chief Justice Jensen was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor Jack Dalrymple in 2013 for the Northeast Judicial District located in Grand Forks, ND.  He was elected in 2016.  He was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum in 2017 to the North Dakota Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by Justice Carol Ronning Kapsner's retirement.  He was then elected by the North Dakota District Court Judges as Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court on January 1, 2020.  

Born in 1965; Chief Justice Jensen is a native of Grand Forks, N.D. He graduated from Minnesota State University Mankato in 1987 and received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1990.  He was admitted to the N.D. Bar on October 23, 1990. 

He was in private legal practice in Grand Forks from 1991 until his judgeship in 2013.   

Benjamen J. Johnson

District Court Judge

Appointed: 2017 - Present

 Judge Benjamen Johnson was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor Doug Burgum in 2017 for the Northwest Judicial District #2 located in Williston, ND. 

Born in 1982; Judge Johnson is a native of Williston.  He earned his undergraduate from the University of Mary, Bismarck in 2004.  He received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2008, and was admitted to the N.D. Bar on September 15, 2008.

Judge Johnson served as the Northwest Judicial District public defender from 2012-2017. He served as the city attorney for the cities of Tioga, Ross, Wildrose, Flaxton, Portal and Bowbells, N.D.   He also  was the former state's attorney for Burke County and was the prosecutor for the Three Affiliated Tribes.  

 Judge Johnson worked in private legal practice in Tioga, N.D. until his judgeship in 2017.

Donald L. Jorgensen

District Court Judge

Elected: 1985 - 2014

Born in 1944, Kenmare, ND. Ph.B, University of North Dakota; J.D., University of North Dakota School of Law, 1970. Served in U. S. Army. Engaged in private practice in Dickinson for ten years. Served two years as county judge of Stark County. Elected Judge of the Southwest Judicial District in 1984, reelected 1990. Transferred to South Central Judicial District with chambers at Linton in 1995. Reelected in 1996, 2002 and 2008. Active as a member of the National Juvenile and Family Court Judges, served two terms as Chairman, Rural Courts Committee, National Juvenile Judges. Married: Wife, Caroleene. Three children; Damon, Heather, and Heidi. Retired July 3, 2014.

John J. Kehoe

District Court Judge

Appointed: 1948 - 1954

Judge Kehoe was born in Castle Grove, Iowa, on November 5, 1871. He attended country school in Delaware County, Iowa, and St. Joseph's Academy and College at Dubuque. He received his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1897. He came to North Dakota in 1902, served as State's Attorney of Towner County for twenty-three years. He also was mayor of Cando, North Dakota and served two terms as State Senator from Towner County. In November, 1948 he was appointed Judge of the Second Judicial District by Governor Fred G. Aandahl, he served in that capacity until his resignation on May 12, 1954. Judge Kehoe died on December 10, 1956.

Clemens F. Kelsch

District Court Judge

Appointed: 1962 - 1974

Judge Kelsch was born in Rosenthal-Odessa, Russia, November 4, 1890, and raised on a farm near Linton, North North. He graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1915, he then started his law practice at Mandan, North Dakota. He served four years as Mandan City Attorney, eight years as Morton County State's Attorney, four years as First Assistant Attorney General and four years as Special Assistant Attorney for the Public Service and Water Conservation Commission. After winning the 1962 election as Judge of the Sixth Judicial District, he was appointed Judge on December 1, 1962 by William L. Guy to fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge Asmundur, he served in that capacity until 1974. Judge Kelsch died on January 2, 1987.

Jon R. Kerian

District Court Judge

Appointed: 1980 - 1992

Born in 1927, Grafton, N.D. Graduate of Central High School, Grand Forks; University of North Dakota, Ph.B. 1955, and L.L.B. 1957, J.D. 1969. U.S. Army in Korean Conflict, 1951-52. Practiced in Grand Forks, 1958-61. Assistant Attorney General with Highway Department, 1962-67. Practiced in Minot, 1968-1980. Appointed District Judge, 1980, by Governor Arthur A. Link. Elected, 1980 and 1986. Retired as District Judge, 1992. Appointed Surrogate Judge, 1992. President, N.D. State Bar Association, 1979-80. President, Western States Bar Conference, 1983. Member, Board of Governors, National Conference of State Trial Judges (ABA), 1983-89. Editor, State Trial Judges Newletter, 1988-93. Member, Board of Editors, The Judges Journal, 1988-93. Member, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. Married to Sylvia Ann; two children, John and Ann. Judge Kerian died June 28, 2008.

Lester Ketterling

District Court Judge

Elected: 1995 - 2005

Born 1940 in Wishek, ND. Received LL.B. degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1964, and admitted to practice in North Dakota. General Law practice at Westhope, ND, from 1966-1987. County Judge 1987-94. Elected district judge in 1994, 1996, and 2002. Retired as district judge Dec. 31, 2005. Married: wife, Eunice. One son. He died March 6, 2010.

Debbie G. Kleven

District Court Judge

Elected: 1995 - 2016

Born in 1958, Valley City, ND. B.S., University of North Dakota 1980. J.D. University of North Dakota 1983. Private practice in Grand Forks, ND, 1983-85. Assistant State's Attorney, Grand Forks County, 1985-1990. Elected Grand Forks County Judge 1990 and served in that capacity 1991-94. Elected District Judge in 1994, 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014. Married: Husband, Paul. Two children. Resigned effective Aug. 8, 2016.

William J. Kneeshaw

District Court Judge

Elected: 1901 - 1943

Judge Kneeshaw was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on May 5, 1854. He was educated at the high school affiliated with McGill College and also St. Andrews Academy. He came to Pembina, North Dakota in 1873 and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He served as State's Attorney of Pembina County for many years and also at various times as mayor of Pembina, county commissioner and county treasurer. He was elected Judge of the Seventh Judicial District in November 1900, serving until 1919 when the judicial districts were revised. He was Judge of the Second Judicial District from 1919 until his death on September 23, 1943. He served longer as a district judge than any other judge in state history.

Jay Knudson

District Court Judge

Appointed: 2017 - Present

Judge Knudson was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor Doug Burgum in 2017 for the Northeast Central Judicial District #3 located in Grand Forks, ND.

Born in 1979; Judge Knudson grew up on a farm near Clifford, ND.  He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of North Dakota in 2001.  He receieved his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2004, and was admitted to the N.D. Bar on September 27, 2004.  

Judge Knudson worked in private legal practice in Grand Forks for six years following law school, and served as a staff attorney in the Indigent Defense Office in Grand Forks for four years.  He was a Judicial Referee/Magistrate Judge for the Northeast Central Judicial District from 2015-2016 and was in private legal practice until his judgeship in 2017.  

William S. Lauder

District Court Judge

Appointed: 1889 - 1904

Judge Lauder was born in Yates Center, New York, February 9, 1854. He came with his parents to a farm near River Falls, Wisconsin. He was educated in the schools of River Falls and attended the St. Croix Collegiate Institute at River Falls. He apprenticed himself to Wellington Van Etta, a Wisconsin lawyer and studied law. After completing his studies and having been admitted to the Bar, he moved to Wahpeton, North Dakota, where he practiced law. In 1884 he was elected Probate Judge of Richland County, after serving one term in that office, he became District Attorney, which office he held for four years. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1889, where the State Constitution was prepared, and arrangements were made for the separation of the Dakota Territory. Soon after the Constitutional Convention he was appointed Judge of the Fourth Judicial District by Governor John Miller, he served in that capacity until 1904. Judge Lauder died on May 17, 1931.

Lawrence A. Leclerc

District Court Judge

Appointed: 1979 - 2004

Born in 1934, Fargo, N.D. Graduate: Shanley High School; U. S. Army 1953-56; BA and JD from University of North Dakota. Private practice 1966-79, Fargo. Appointed District Judge 1979 by Governor Arthur A. Link. Elected 1980, 1986, 1992, and 1998. Member: Joint Procedure Committee; Judicial Conduct Commission. Married: Wife, Kathryn. Four children. Retired as District Judge Dec. 31, 2004. Appointed Surrogate Judge, 2005. Judge Leclerc died in October 2015.

Gary H. Lee

Presiding Judge

Elected: 2004 - Present

Judge Lee was elected as District Court Judge in 2004 for the North Central Judicial District #2 located in Minot, ND. 

Born in 1955; Judge Lee earned his Bachelor's in Administration from the University of North Dakota.  He received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1980, and was admitted to the N.D. Bar on October 14, 1980.  

Judge Lee was the Assistant Attorney General from 1980-1982, and worked in private legal practice from 1982 until his judgeship in 2004.  He went on to be re-elected in 2010, and 2016.

Troy J. LeFevre

District Court Judge

Elected: 2016 - Present

Judge LeFevre was elected as District Court Judge in 2016 for the Southeast Judicial District #7 located in Jamestown, ND. 

Born in 1974; Judge LeFevre is a native of Jamestown, ND graduating from Jamestown High School in 1992.  He received his Bachelor's of Adminisration in Political Science from the University of North Dakota in 1996, and received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2002.  He was admitted to the N.D. Bar on October 4, 2002.  

Judge LeFevre worked in private legal practice from 2002-2004 and worked as a Law Clerk for the Southeast Judicial District from 2004-2006. He was the Chief Assistant State's Attorney for Stutsman County from 2006 until his judgeship in 2016.  

Kalita E. Leighton

District Court Judge

Appointed: 1911 - 1920

Judge Leighton was born in Putnam County, Missouri, on September 13, 1871. He was educated in the public schools at Allerton, Iowa; attended the Highland Park Normal College, Des Moines, Iowa for two years; graduated from the Law Department of the University of Iowa in 1896. In 1900 he moved to Minot, North Dakota, and formed a partnership in the practice of law with D. C. Greenleaf. In January, 1911, he was appointed Judge of the Eighth Judicial District, by Governor John Burke, he served in that capacity until 1919, when the judicial districts were revised he became Judge of the Fifth Judicial District from 1919 until 1920. He then returned to private practice at Minot, North Dakota, until his appointment as Assistant Attorney General of North Dakota, which position he held until his death on January 10, 1928.

Frank T. Lembke

District Court Judge

Elected: 1919 - 1946

Judge Lembke was born in Naperville, Illinois, on August 9, 1870, raised in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He moved his family onto his homestead at Minot, North Dakota in 1903. He entered the University of North Dakota in 1910 and took a course in law, graduating in 1913, he was admitted to the North Dakota Bar that same year, he practiced law in Grand Forks, North Dakota 1913-1914. He moved to Glen Ullin, North Dakota, April, 1914; was appointed City Attorney on May 1914 and served in that office till he move to Elgin, North Dakota in November, 1917. He was elected State's Attorney of Grant County in 1918 and held that office till he was appointed Judge of the Sixth Judicial District by Governor Lynn J. Frazier on August 25, 1919. He served in that capacity until 1946. Judge Lembke died on May 21, 1951.

Jackson J. Lofgren

District Court Judge

Appointed: 2023 - Present

Judge Lofgren was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor Doug Burgum in 2023 for the South Central Judicial District #2 located in Bismarck, ND. 

Born in 1980; Judge Lofgren was raised on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in McLaughlin, South Dakota.  He earned his Bachelor's of Science degree from Northern State University in 2002.  He received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota, School of Law in 2006, and was admitted to the N.D. Bar on December 22, 2006. 

Judge Lofgren worked as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Bismarck Regional Child Support Enforcement Unit from 2006 to 2008.  He was the Morton County Assistant State's Attorney from 2008 to 2013, and worked in private legal practice in Bismarck from 2013 until his judgeship in 2023. 

Stacy J. Louser

District Court Judge

Appointed: 2014 - Present

Judge Louser was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor Jack Dalrymple in 2014 for the North Central Judicial District #4 located in Minot, ND.  She was then elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2018.  

Born in 1973; Judge Louser is a native of Minot, ND. She received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of North Dakota in 1996. She received her Master's of Science in Management from Minot State University in 2001. Judge Louser received her Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law graduating in 2007 and was admitted to the N.D. bar on October 8, 2007.  She worked in private legal practice in Minot, ND from 2007 until her judgeship in 2014.