Job Announcement - Client Support

A job announcement for a Client Support person with Legal Services of North Dakota has been posted.

Big Muddy Bar Association plans 2021 meetings

The Big Muddy Bar Association will again be hosting meetings and providing CLE opportunities for its members in the South Central Judicial District.

Job Announcement - Temporary Hearing Officer

A job announcement for a Temporary Hearing Officer with the Department of Transportation in Bismarck has been posted.

UND appoints Carolin, longtime law school employee, as chief of staff

The University of North Dakota has announced that Rob Carolin, longtime director of alumni and public relations at the UND School of Law, will join UND President Andy Armacost's office as chief of staff.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Dec. 31

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion clarifying the authority of the State Credit Union Board relating to certain types of acquisitions, sales, and mergers.

LSND posts latest newsletter

Legal Services of North Dakota has posted its December 2020 newsletter.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Dec. 23

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Ethics Commission has the constitutional authority to promulgate rules defining “lobby” and “lobbyist,” even if those definitions are broader than what has been adopted by the Legislature.

Current edition of ND Law Review now online

The North Dakota Law Review recently published Volume 95, Issue 3. The online version is available on the UND School of Law's website.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Dec. 21

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that individual members of a governing body may consult with staff members of a public entity without triggering the open meetings law.

Job Announcement - Staff Attorney

A job announcement for a Staff Attorney I with the City of Minot has been posted.

N.D. suffrage play to air on public radio

The North Dakota Woman Suffrage Centennial Committee will present 'Persistence,' a radio play by Kathy Coudle-King with consultants Barbara Handy-Marchello and Susan Wefald, on Prairie Public Radio Dec. 15, Dec. 20 and Jan. 10.

Job Announcement - Attorney II

A job announcement for an Attorney II with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Fargo Public Defender Office has been posted.

Job Announcement - Supervising Attorney

A job announcement for an Attorney in the Public Defender office in Williston has been posted.

Job Announcement - Deputy Clerk

A job announcement for a Deputy Clerk with the City of Mandan Municipal Court has been posted.

Judicial election results released

In the only contested state judicial race, Bonnie Storbakken won election to Judgeship No. 7 in the South Central Judicial District. Chief Justice Jon Jensen was reelected to the Supreme Court and 20 district judges who ran unopposed were also reelected.

Job Announcement - Contract Prosecutor

A job announcement for a Contract Prosecutor with the City of Minot has been posted.

Job Announcement - Contract Defense Attorney

A job announcement for a Contract Defense Attorney with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Southwest Judicial District has been posted.

UND's Robert P. Wilkins Lecture to highlight women's suffrage

The University of North Dakota will remember the struggle for women's suffrage in North Dakota on Oct. 29 by hosting a National Votes for Women Trail Marker Dedication and the Robert P. Wilkins Lecture.

UND’s Faculty Lecture Series begins Oct. 21 with 'Modern American Policing'

UND’s annual Faculty Lecture Series begins Wednesday, Oct. 21, with “Modern American Policing: Past, Present, and a Roadmap for the Future,” by Steven R. Morrison, associate professor of law. The lecture will be presented virtually using live streaming.

Job Announcement - Contract Defense Attorney

A job announcement for an Indigent Defense Contract Attorney with the the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in the Northwest Judicial District has been posted.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Oct. 13

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that a deceased candidate may be declared to have been elected, but because the candidate will be unable to discharge the duties of the office, the office will be deemed vacant.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Sept. 30

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Mandan Police Department violated the open records laws when it improperly redacted information such as the breed, species, color and sex of dogs involved in two dog attack incidents from the records it provided.

UND to hold a webinar on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Oct. 7

The University of North Dakota School of Law will hold a tribute to RBG webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Job Announcement - Assistant Attorney General

Two job announcements for Assistant Attorney General positions with the Attorney General's office in Bismarck have been posted.

Job Announcement - Public Defender

A job announcement for an Attorney in the Public Defender office in Williston has been posted.

Job Announcement - Legal Secretary

A job announcement for a Legal Secretary position available in the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office has been posted

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Sept. 23

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued three opinions: on a county commission's duty to sit on the joint board of county commissioners to approve the budget of a health district; on the transfer of property by a school board; and on whether Billings county commission properly noticed its meetings. .

Job Announcement - Assistant Attorney General

A job announcement for an Assistant Attorney General with the Attorney General's office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Paralegal

A job announcement for a Paralegal with the Attorney General's office in Bismarck has been posted.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Sept. 15

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the North Dakota Transmission Authority has the statutory authority to acquire an existing transmission facility.

Department of Corrections introduces online dashboard

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's new online dashboard provides detailed and up-to-date information about the state's criminal justice system.

UND to hold Constitution Day celebration Sept. 17

The UND School of Law will host UND’s annual Constitution Day event virtually at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, via a Zoom webinar.

Bar passage rate up on July 2020 exam

The State Board of Law Examiners have announced that of the 58 applicants who sat for the bar examination on July 28-29, 44 applicants achieved a passing score.

2020 Legislative Drafting Seminar set for Oct. 1

The Legislative Council staff will sponsor a legislative drafting seminar on Thursday, Oct. 1. There is no charge for attending this seminar. Registrants will receive the 2021 Legislative Drafting Manual.

Job Announcement - Paralegal

A job announcement for a Paralegal with the Attorney General's office in Bismarck has been posted.

Stutsman County historic courthouse holding district court

News Dakota: "Moving the modern District Court to the Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse hasn’t been without some of its own challenges."

Dakota Datebook: Stripes in North Dakota prisons

Prairie Public: "Every human society needs rules and laws. But always there will be lawbreakers who violate those laws. Crime brings punishment."

In Grand Forks, giving dignity to a man denied justice

MPR News: "The crime is nearly 140 years old. The effort to redress the injustice, more than two decades in the making."

New law review board members all North Dakota natives

Tatiana Hamilton, Fargo, Ashley Vander Wal, Mandan, Katie Winbauer, Bismarck, Joseph Hackman, Bottineau, and Rachael Mickelson, Rolla, have begun their work on the North Dakota Law Review's Board of Editors and will continue serving until the spring of 2021.

Site offers look at criminal justice system

Bismarck Tribune: "The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has partnered with a nonprofit organization to create a website designed to provide the public, researchers and policymakers with more access to data about the state’s criminal justice system."

After a long legal career in ND, Ralph Maxwell was named one of the world's best senior athletes

Dickinson Press: "Ralph Maxwell, after a lengthy career of 45 years as a lawyer, county attorney, district state’s attorney and judge, set his sights on competing against the world’s best senior athletes."

‘By Kathryn R.L. Rand and Steven Andrew Light’

UND Today: "With the casebook they co-authored now in its second edition, longtime UND research partners are ‘go-to voices’ on tribal gaming policy and law."

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage at the Constitutional Convention

Prairie Public: "In 1889, who could vote and how they could vote became a keen part of the debates during North Dakota's Constitutional Convention."

Initiative to prevent children from entering foster care and to encourage family engagement expands statewide

State of North Dakota News Release: "About 1,600 North Dakota children and youth are in foster care on a given day. To reduce those numbers, the North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Children and Family Services Division and its partners have expanded Family Centered Engagement meetings statewide."

North Dakota governing bodies adjust to social distancing, remote meetings

G.F. Herald: "When the COVID-19 pandemic started to pose difficulties for local and state officials, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem knew it was important for meetings to remain accessible even if they could not be held in the same way."

Dakota Datebook: 1889 Suffrage attempts and the Constitutional Convention

Prairie Public: "Even as Dakota Territory prepped to divide into states in 1889, women’s suffrage was a point of contention. Suffragists presented a petition at the territorial convention in January that was signed by over 4000 women asking the legislature to enact a law giving women the same voting rights as men."

Job Announcement - Assistant City Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Bismarck has been posted.

Melissa Hamilton named president of National Association of Legal Assistants

Melissa Hamilton, a paralegal with the Attorney General’s office, has been installed as president of the National Association of Legal Assistants.

Uniform Juvenile Court Act rewritten for the first time in almost 50 years

KX News: "The first draft of a bill to replace the North Dakota Uniform Juvenile Court Act was presented to lawmakers for the first time in almost 50 years."

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage at the State Fair

Prairie Public: "On this date in 1914, suffragists were prepping to represent their cause at the North Dakota State Fair, to be held in Fargo from July 20-25."

N.D. Law Review Symposium on Aug. 17 moved to virtual only format

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the North Dakota Law Review Symposium set for Aug. 17 has been moved to a virtual platform for all participants.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 16

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Department of Health did not violate the law when it declined to provide Information relating to COVID-19 cases contained in protected disease control records.

North Dakota’s only women’s prison might be closing

KFYR News: "The only women’s prison in North Dakota might be closing. Lawmakers heard a proposal to move adult inmates from the Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehab Center to the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 15

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the City of Fargo violated the law when it redacted information from an email because the contents of the email did not fit within the exceptions to the open records law.

1st North Dakota tribal youth services pact deemed 'sustainable'

Bismarck Tribune: "Early results show promise for the first agreement providing state court services to tribal youth in North Dakota."

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 8

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that an executive session discussion between the Williston Public School District #1 and its attorney met the definition of attorney consultation, and was authorized by law.

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage Symbols

Prairie Public: "In 1914 in Fargo, the suffragists sold a common symbol, a 'dainty yellow rose' that made for 'attractive button-hole bouquets.'"

N.D. Attorney General opinion: July 7

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Williams County School District #8 and Williston School District #1 did not violate the open meetings laws because the discussions during special meetings were within the context of the posted agenda items.

Job Announcement - Legal Secretary

A job announcement for a full-time Legal Secretary with Legal Services of North Dakota in Grand Forks has been posted.

2019 drug arrests down, homicides up, North Dakota report shows

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota drug arrests in 2019 were down for the first time in 10 years but homicides reached an all-time high, surpassing the previous record by four, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Tuesday."

Job Announcement - Legal Assistant

A job announcement for a Legal Assistant for the Bismarck City Attorney department has been posted.

Dakota Datebook: Pembina Bill and suffrage in 1874

Prairie Public: "In 1874, the Pembina Bill was proposed to the territorial legislature. This bill would carve a new Territory out of Dakota Territory called Pembina."

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage amendment passes

Prairie Public: "The Federal Suffrage Amendment to the Constitution passed through the U.S. House and Senate on June 4th, 1919; and thereafter, suffragists rallied, cajoled, hoped and prayed that their united dream would triumph as the bill was sent out to the states to be approved by a three fourths majority."

Job Announcement - Attorney II Public Defender

A job announcement for an Attorney II Public Defender with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in Minot has been posted.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: June 10

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that state law provides authority for a county correctional facility to contract with the ND DOCR to house a pretrial detainee who has unique medical needs.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: June 8

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that current law does not provide a mechanism for a political party to forego the primary election and place its candidate directly on the election ballot.

North Dakota’s top prison official resigning after 15 years

Associated Press: "North Dakota’s top prison administrator is resigning to take a job in the private sector, Gov. Doug Burgum announced Thursday."

As North Dakota slashes its prison population amid pandemic, other states lag behind

Forum News Service: "North Dakota has done more than any other state in the U.S. to reduce its prison population during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a nonprofit group's analysis."

Dakota Datebook: Peggy Lee’s war with Disney

Prairie Public: "Peggy Lee was born on this date in 1920 in Jamestown, North Dakota. She is known for her singing, movie, and television career. She is not well known for her war with the Walt Disney Company."

Dakota Datebook: Votes for Women League

Prairie Public: "The Votes for Women's League began to establish itself in North Dakota in 1912. Fargo was the first community to form a Votes for Women League on February 4."

N.D. Law Review seeks articles for upcoming issues

The North Dakota Law Review is beginning the process of gathering articles for Volume 96 and is inviting submissions of written work.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: May 20

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Williams County School Board #8 did not violate the law when a board member made a suggestion about an alternate option during the discussion of a properly noticed agenda item.

N.D. Attorney General opinions: May 18

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued two opinions: that the city of Napoleon violated the law when it discussed personnel matters during an executive session and that students who are athletes may receive Higher Education Challenge Grant scholarships so long as the basis for the scholarship is academic rather than athletic.

Dakota Datebook: WCTU and women's suffrage

Prairie Public: "On this date in 1914, Mrs. Harriet Darling Hall, National Women's Christian Temperance Union lecturer and organizer, was in North Dakota traveling around the state and lecturing."

Dakota Datebook: Sylvia Pankhurst and the North Dakota's Votes for Women League

Prairie Public: "The first city in North Dakota to formally organize a Votes for Women League was Fargo, in early 1912."

Dickinson Municipal Court employs social distancing

On May 5, Dickinson’s Municipal Court had its first public court day since the city commission closed city hall in late March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

New N.D. Law Review issue posted online

North Dakota Law Review Volume 95, Number 1 is now available online.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: April 29

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has issued an opinion that the Bismarck Public School District’s announcement that an executive session was to discuss “complaints raised to the district” was sufficiently detailed.

Dakota Datebook: New constitution rejected

Prairie Public: "On this date in 1972, voters had some heavy measures to consider in a special election. They were asked to adopt or reject a new, shorter state constitution, which would replace the one from 1889."

Dakota Datebook: Clara Darrow

Prairie Public: "The Votes for Women League of North Dakota was organized in 1912. Clara was elected president, a position she held until her death."

Dakota Datebook: Suffrage attempt and non-suffrage organizing

Prairie Public: "Yet another attempt at women’s suffrage was made in 1913 during the Legislative Assembly in Bismarck. Those who were pro-suffrage were more organized this time. The legislature actually did pass the bill."

Dakota Datebook: Beulah Amidon, ND suffragist

Prairie Public: "On this date in 1917, Beulah Amidon, daughter of Judge Amidon of Fargo, was making a name for herself as a suffragist as she traveled the United States."

Job Announcement - Assistant Attorney General

A job announcement for an Assistant Attorney General with the Attorney General's office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Temporary Hearing Officer

A job announcement for a Temporary Hearing Officer with the Department of Transportation in Bismarck has been posted.

Former UND Football coach hired as Director of Development for Law School

UND Today: "The University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation (UNDAAF) has hired Tom Dosch as Director of Development for the UND School of Law."

N.D. Law Review Symposium postponed to Aug. 17

The North Dakota Law Review's Constitutional Law Symposium originally scheduled for April 16 has been postponed to Aug. 17 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Law enforcement taking precautions amid coronavirus outbreak, but still serving

Bismarck Tribune: "The encroachment of the coronavirus on North Dakota has staff and administrators at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center and other law enforcement agencies taking steps to allow business to be conducted while still keeping inmates, themselves and the public safe."

Dakota Datebook: Partial suffrage, part 3

Prairie Public: "By this date in 1920, 35 of the 36 states needed had ratified the 19th Amendment. Some states had already granted full or partial suffrage. North Dakota was one of 12 that had granted partial suffrage."

Job Announcement - Supervising Attorney

A job announcement for a Supervising Attorney with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents in Bismarck has been posted.

March 18 is Public Defender Day

Governor Doug Burgum has declared March 18, 2020, as Public Defender Day.

North Dakota second graders on a mission to change bike helmet laws

KX News: "North Dakota has no laws that require children to wear bike helmets, but one local second grade class is working to change that."

Dakota Datebook: Partial suffrage, part 2

Prairie Public: "On this date in 1920, women in North Dakota were able to participate in their first presidential primary, thanks to the passage of partial suffrage in the state legislature."

4-H Leadership Awareness Weekend a success

NewsDakota.com: "Judges Don Hager and Daniel Narum, local attorneys, law students and professors helped youth experience real courtroom skills by arguing a case before a real judge. LAW participants also learned about courtroom etiquette and participated in a mock trial."

Two members of the Exonerated Five speak at UND

UND Today: "Their convictions vacated and records cleared, Yusef Salaam and Raymond Santana asked listeners to support criminal justice reform."

Dakota Datebook: Partial suffrage for ND

Prairie Public: "North Dakota women received partial suffrage in 1917 after Governor Frazier signed a bill that mirrored similar legislation in Illinois."

Supreme Court declines to hear closely watched bar association dues case

Washington Times: "The Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a North Dakota case involving a lawyer’s required bar membership, but those trying to have the practice overturned may soon get another crack at it."

UND's Helen Hamilton Day CLE set for March 6

The Law Women's Caucus will host its annual Helen Hamilton Day event on Friday, March 6. There is no charge to attend, and 3 CLE credits have been approved for both North Dakota and Minnesota.

Student Bar Association hosting sale of UND School of Law gear

The Student Bar Association is hosting a sale of UND School of Law apparel and accessories from Monday, March 2, through midnight on Monday, March 16. Proceeds support the UND Law Student Bar Association.