February 2019 bar examination results

The State Board of Law Examiners have announced the results of the February 2019 bar examination. Of the 37 applicants who sat for the bar examination in Bismarck on February 26-27, 18 applicants achieved a passing score. This is a 49% overall pass rate, compared to 45% a year ago.

N.D. Attorney General opinions: April 12

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the City of Mandan did not violate the law by failing to provide requested records because it never received a request and an opinion that the Crystal Lake Township Board of Supervisors violated the law when they held a special meeting but did not post a meeting notice.

Drew Wrigley confirmed as U.S. Attorney for North Dakota

KX Net: "The United States Senate confirmed former North Dakota Lt. Governor Drew Wrigley to again serve as U.S. Attorney for the state. Wrigley previously held U.S. Attorney post from 2001 to 2009."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Attorney I in the Child Support Enforcement Office in Grand Forks has been posted.

North Dakota Law Review Energy Law Symposium set for April 11

The North Dakota Law Review Energy Law Symposium will be held April 11 at the National Energy Center of Excellence in Bismarck. The symposium will feature a comprehensive program of energy related topics. There is no charge to attend and the event has been approved for 7.75 CLE credits.

Judgeship for Burleigh, Morton area added to North Dakota judicial budget

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota's Senate has passed the budget bill for the judicial branch, including a judgeship for the district that covers Burleigh and Morton counties. Senators unanimously passed the 2019-21 judicial budget bill on Monday."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: April 4

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the ND Forensic Examiner’s Office and UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences did not violate the open records law by refusing to disclose the Reports of Death while the investigations were still active.

'Servant leader' makes his case

UND Today: "Mike McGinniss describes himself as a servant leader. 'I plan to lead by example,' said the newly appointed dean of the UND School of Law. 'I’m excited and humbled, and see this as an opportunity for great challenges and great possibilities.'"

UND law students enjoy litigation discussion

On March 3, first year law students at the University of North Dakota School of Law had an opportunity to listen to a panel of several members of the North Dakota bar who shared their litigation experiences and answered questions from the students on a variety of litigation topics.

Indigent defense offices work hard to recruit attorneys

Minot Daily News: "The hiring challenges facing public defenders’ offices in western North Dakota might not currently be as severe as those of prosecutors’ offices, but they are just as real, according to information from the North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents."

Two CLE Programs to be held at UND School of Law on April 5

On April 5, the UND School of Law Rural Practice Association is hosting a program on Alternative Sentencing and the Law Library will present a Legal Technology Bootcamp. Both programs offer CLE credits.

North Dakota juvenile justice efforts advance in House, Senate

Bismarck Tribune: "The state Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution to study the state's juvenile justice system in the 2019-20 interim. And by an 81-9 vote, the House passed Senate Bill 2313, which would establish a children's cabinet and a six-year commission on juvenile justice in North Dakota."

UND law school Helen Hamilton Day program set for March 29

The UND Law Women’s Caucus will host the Helen Hamilton Day program titled “Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things” on Friday, March 29. The program has been approved for 3 ND CLE Credits and there is no charge to attend.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for Director of Admissions at the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks has been posted.

Parenting coordinator training set for June in Bismarck

New Parenting Coordinator Training will be held June 18-20 and Advanced Parenting Coordinator Training will be held June 20 in Bismarck. This training will satisfy the 12 hour specialized parenting coordinator training requirement in N.D.R.Ct. 8.11.

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an indigent defense contractor with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Northwest Judicial District has been posted.

North Dakota advocates for local BIA training facility to combat tribal officer shortage

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota tribal leaders called Wednesday for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to “step it up” and provide more law enforcement resources while state officials advocated for a local BIA training facility to better recruit tribal officers."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: March 18

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that bonds payable from appropriations made by the Legislative Assembly must be subject to modification or repeal by future legislative assemblies in order to be upheld against a constitutional debt limit challenge.

Pretrial services likely next focus of North Dakota justice reform

Bismarck Tribune: "Efforts are underway from multiple branches of state government to study pretrial detention and services for potential reform in North Dakota."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for an Attorney III General Counsel with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Bismarck has been posted.

Seminar on Alternative Sentencing in North Dakota set for April 5 at UND

The Rural Practice Association is hosting a combined CLE/CJE at the UND School of Law on Alternative Sentencing in North Dakota. The event will take place on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Women's prison inmates voice opinions on two year study

KFYR News: "The Dakota Women's Correctional Center in New England is expected to stay open for at least another two years. This comes after Gov. Doug Burgum announced its potential closure during an address in December."

Job Announcement

A job announcement for Contract Attorneys with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Southeast Judicial District has been posted.