2025 North Dakota Governor School Visits Court

The 2025 North Dakota Governor School brought 39 students to the state supreme court to learn about the work of the state court system and the many careers available within the court system.

Job Announcement - Chief Deputy Supreme Court Clerk - Bismarck

A job announcement for Chief Deputy Supreme Court Clerk in Bismarck has been posted.

Trinity Christian School of Williston Visited the Supreme Court April 11

The Senior Class of Trinity Christian School of Williston Visited the Supreme Court April 11

School Visits to the Supreme Court March 25, 2025

Students and teachers from May-Port CG, Hope-Page, and Finley-Sharon visited with Justice McEvers.

Flasher High School and North Border Walhalla High School Visit Court

Flasher High School and North Border Walhalla High School visited the Supreme Court on March 25.

2025 Annual Parenting Investigator and Guardian ad Litem 6-Hour Training Scheduled

Registration is Open for Annual Parenting Investigator and Guardian ad Litem 6-Hour Training scheduled for spring 2025.

Parenting investigator, guardian ad litem training to be held June 3-5

Registration is open for parenting investigator and guardian ad litem Initial Certification Training. A workshop will be held June 3-5, 2025 in Bismarck.

Griggs County Central Students visit the Supreme Court

Juniors and Seniors from Griggs County Central visited the Supreme Court on March 20.

Kindred Students visit the Supreme Court

Students from Kindred School visited the supreme court on March 20th.

Glenburn Students Visit Supreme Court Mar 11

Students from Glenburn, led by teacher McKenzie Skarsgard, visited the state supreme court on March 11 and visited with Justice Douglas Bahr.

Beulah Senior Class Visits Supreme Court

The Senior class from Beulah High School visited the state supreme court on Friday, March 7th.

Wishek Juniors and Seniors Visit Supreme Court

Led by Mr. Colin Crabtree, Junior and Senior students visited the Supreme Court on March 5th.

Sunrise Fifth Graders Visit Supreme Court

Sunrise Elementary Fifth Graders visited the Supreme Court on Thursday, February 27.

Harvey High School students visit the Supreme Court

The Harvey High School Senior class visited the Supreme Court on Feb. 26

February 2025 bar examination begins

The North Dakota Bar Examination began on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with 22 applicants taking the exam. Of the applicants sitting on Tuesday, 82 percent are graduates of the University of North Dakota School of Law. The exam ends Wednesday.

Our Redeemers Christian School visits Supreme Court

Students from Our Redeemers Christian School in Minot visited the Supreme Court on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Courthouses closed for President's Day

The Supreme Court and courthouses across the state will be closed Monday, Feb 17, for the President's Day holiday.

North Dakota Courts Raises Awareness of Scams Targeting Potential Jurors

The North Dakota Court System Seeks to Raises Awareness of Recent Scams Targeting Potential Jurors

Leeds Students visit the Supreme Court

Leeds High School students visited the North Dakota Supreme Court on Monday, Feb. 10

Horizon Middle School Students Visit Supreme Court

Bismarck Horizon Middle School students visited the Supreme Court, the Secretary of State, and Governor on Friday, Feb. 7

The Innovation School of Bismarck visits Supreme Court on Feb. 6

The Innovation School of Bismarck brought students to meet with Justice Bahr and learn about the state supreme court.

Beulah Junior Class Visits Supreme Court

The Junior class from Beulah High School visited the state supreme court on Wednesday, February 5th.

Dakota Prairie High School visits the state Supreme Court

Led by Ms. Betty Hurst, more than 35 students and teachers from Dakota Prairie High School visited the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Feb. 4th.

Initial Training for Parenting investigators, guardian ad litems to be held June 3-5

Initial Certification Training for parenting investigator and guardian ad litem will be held June 3-5 in Bismarck. Registration information will be available soon.

Sitting Bull College Students visit the North Dakota Supreme Court

Sitting Bull College students visited the North Dakota Supreme Court on Wednesday, January 22nd to observe oral arguments and visit with Justice Tufte.

Interest rate set for 2025 judgments

The State Court Administrator has set the interest rate on judgments entered in 2025 at 11.00%.

Guardianship Monitoring Program hosting 3 online seminars in December

The Guardianship Monitoring Program is hosting 3, no-cost, online seminars in December for anyone that work with vulnerable adults.

Studies find high participant satisfaction, declining settlement rate with mediation program

A recently completed survey of participants in the Family Law Mediation Program found satisfaction with mediators and the program remain high, although the average settlement rate has declined in recent years.

Lawyers Reminded to Verify Their Contact Information

Lawyers are reminded that Admission to Practice Rule (1)(C)(2) requires you to notify the Board of Law Examiners in writing within 10 days of a change of address. North Dakota Rule of Court 3.5(e)(3), requires all lawyers to provide at least one e-mail address to the Board of Law Examiners.

Court chooses law clerks for 2025-2026 Term

The North Dakota Supreme Court is pleased to announce the following individuals who have been selected to serve a one-year clerkship with the North Dakota Supreme Court for the 2025-2026 term beginning August 1, 2025: Alexander Hook, Peter Liffrig, James Nicolai, Katie Snyder, Haakan Thorsgard

Board of Law Examiners 2025 Online License Renewal Reminder

The State Board of Law Examiners will continue online license renewal for 2025.

Supreme Court accepting applications for Rural Attorney Recruitment Program

The North Dakota Supreme Court is currently accepting applications from counties, municipalities and attorneys interested in participating in the Rural Attorney Recruitment Program.

North Dakota adopts NextGen Bar Examination

On September 16, 2024, the North Dakota Supreme Court announced adoption of the State Board of Law Examiners recommendation to administer a new exam known as the NextGen bar exam beginning in July 2027 to those seeking admission to practice law in North Dakota.

Judicial Branch audit for biennium completed

The Office of the State Auditor has issued an Audit Report for the Biennium Ended June 30, 2023 for the Judicial Branch of the State of North Dakota.

Chief Justice Jensen appears on N.D. Public Radio 'Main Street' program

Chief Justice Jon Jensen appeared on North Dakota Public Radio's 'Main Street' program on July 31st.

Supreme Court welcomes new law clerks

The North Dakota Supreme Court is pleased to announce the following individuals who began their one-year clerkship with the North Dakota Supreme Court on August 1, 2024: Danielle Middleton, Jack Blotsky, McKenna Weisenburger, Gabrielle Frawley, and Taylor Schmidt.

Chief Justice Jensen visits with federal district court externs in Bismarck

North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen met with federal district court externs in Bismarck on June 25th.

Kindred Students visit the Supreme Court

Fourth Grade students from Kindred visited the Supreme Court on May 22nd and met with Justices and the Attorney General

ND Courts Updates Jury Orientation Video

The North Dakota State Court Administrator’s Office announces the debut of its updated video about jury service in North Dakota.

Judges, Court Personnel trained on Mental Health First Aid

The North Dakota Court’s Mental Health Workgroup recently completed its initiative to train judges and court personnel on Mental Health First Aid.

ND Court System Releases 2023 Juvenile Court Annual Report

The 2023 Juvenile Court Annual Report for the North Dakota Court System has been posted

An order regarding the vacancy in East Central Judicial District Judgeship No. 8 has been posted.

An order regarding the vacancy in East Central Judicial District Judgeship No. 8, with chambers in Fargo, has been posted.

UTTC Criminal Justice Students Observe Supreme Court Arguments

Instructor Mark Turner and students from the Criminal Justice class at the United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, observed a Supreme Court oral argument followed by a visit with Justice Douglas Bahr.

North Dakota Appellate Case System notification system update

The public portal notification in the North Dakota Appellate Case System received an update April 18.

Director of Admissions awarded WDALA Legacy Award

Laurie Guenther, Director of Admissions for the State Board of Law Examiners, was awarded the Legacy Award.

February 2024 bar examination results released

The State Board of Law Examiners has announced the results of the February 2024 bar examination. Of the 28 applicants who sat for the bar examination in Bismarck, North Dakota, 17 applicants achieved a passing score.

Students from Napoleon and Strasburg High Schools visit the Supreme Court

Students from Napoleon and Strasburg High Schools visited the Supreme Court to listen to live oral arguments and visit with Justices.

Job Announcement - Director of Juvenile Services

A job announcement for Director of Juvenile Services in Fargo has been posted

Registration Reminder - Supreme Court E-filing

The public portal of the North Dakota Appellate Case System is now live, effective April 8. Attorneys are required to e-file and self-represented parties are encouraged to file.

Instructions on using the new Supreme Court public portal

Supreme Court posts instructions on its website regarding using the new public portal

ND Court System Releases 2023 Annual Report

The 2023 annual report for the North Dakota Court System has been posted.

Horizon Middle School students explore court careers

Students from Horizon Middle School in Bismarck stopped at the supreme court to learn about careers in the North Dakota court system.

Sunrise Elementary School students visit the Supreme Court

Students from Sunrise Elementary School in Bismarck visited the Supreme Court and Justice McEvers and Justice Bahr

Registration and training for new appellate e-filing system

Registration and Training for new appellate public access, e-filing, and docket system

Supreme Court nearing completion of new public access, e-filing, and docket system

The Supreme Court is nearing completion of a new public access, e-filing, and docket system, which will replace the current docket system, which was created in the 1990s

Annual Parenting Investigator and Guardian ad Litem 6-Hour Training Scheduled

Annual Parenting Investigator and Guardian ad Litem 6-Hour Training moving online for 2024.

Harvey High School students visit the Supreme Court

Students from Harvey High School visit the Supreme Court to listen to live oral arguments and visit with Justices.

Courthouses closed for Martin Luther King Day

The Supreme Court and county courthouses across the state will be closed Monday, Jan. 15, for the Martin Luther King Day holiday.

Job Announcement - Administrative Assistant

A job announcement for an Administrative Assistant with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Bismarck has been posted.

Interest rate set for 2024 judgments

The State Court Administrator has set the interest rate on judgments entered in 2024 at 11.5 percent.

Job Announcement: Staff Attorney

A job announcement for a short-term Staff Attorney with the State Court Administrator's Office has been posted.

Online Lawyer license renewal available

Online Lawyer license renewal available starting November 15, 2023

Courthouses to close for Veterans Day holiday

The Supreme Court and courthouses across the state will be closed Friday, November 10, for the Veterans Day holiday.

Lawyers reminded to verify their e-mail address

As the Board moves to an online license renewal process for 2024, it is important the Board has a current e-mail address by which to contact lawyers.

Supreme Court accepting applications for Rural Attorney Recruitment Program

The North Dakota Supreme Court is currently accepting applications from counties, municipalities and attorneys interested in participating in the Rural Attorney Recruitment Program.

UND School of Law honors retired Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle with courtroom rededication

UND School of Law honors retired Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle with courtroom rededication on Oct. 23, 2023.

North Dakota Court computer systems unavailable due to planned maintenance on Friday evening, Oct. 27th starting at 6:30 pm Central Time

North Dakota Court computer systems will be unavailable due to planned maintenance on Friday, October 27th starting at 6:30 pm Central Time for approximately two hours.

Court system to offer training seminars for guardians

We are happy to announce five upcoming virtual education seminars that may of interest to people that work with vulnerable adults. Participants must register for each session separately for attendance tracking.

UND Gerald W. VandeWalle Courtroom Reopening Ceremony Oct. 23

The UND School of Law is hosting a reopening ceremony for the Gerald W. VandeWalle Courtroom on Monday October 23, 2023 in Grand Forks.

Warning of Fraudulent Financial Charges

The Court has been made aware of a scam involving fraudulent charges to individual’s financial accounts that purport to be charges for e-filing with the North Dakota Court System.

North Dakota removes mental health, addiction question from bar application

The State Board of Law Examiners eliminated the condition or impairment question related to mental health and addiction from the bar application – which was question number 30.

Court chooses law clerks for 2024-2025 term

The North Dakota Supreme Court is pleased to announce the following individuals who have been selected to serve a one-year clerkship with the North Dakota Supreme Court beginning August 1, 2024: Jack Blotsky, Gabrielle Frawley, Danielle Middleton, Taylor Schmidt, and McKenna Weisenburger.

Court issues order on vacancy in SEJD judgeship

The Supreme Court has issued an order retaining Judgeship No. 1 at Jamestown in the Southeast Judicial District.

National Association of State Judicial Educators (NASJE) Presents the Karen Thorson Award

National Association of State Judicial Educators (NASJE) presents the Karen Thorson Award to Lee Ann Barnhardt at annual conference.

Job Announcement - Technology Coordinator

A job announcement for a Technology Coordinator with the Office of the State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Supreme Court welcomes new law clerks

The North Dakota Supreme Court is pleased to announce the following individuals who began their one-year clerkship with the North Dakota Supreme Court on August 1: Casey Orvedal, Haley Finch, Charles Steinberger, Dixie Holland, and Orrin Burch.

Statutory amendments, new rule deal with defendant competency

Amendments to section 12.1-04-08 of the North Dakota Century Code will take effect on Aug. 1, 2023. These amendments relate to defendants who lack fitness to proceed.

Job Announcement - Staff Attorney

A job announcement for a Staff Attorney with the Supreme Court in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Program Manager

A job announcement for a Program Manager with the Office of the State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Courthouses to close for Independence Day

The Supreme Court and county courthouses across the state will be closed Tuesday, July 4, for Independence Day. Courthouses in Barnes, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Cavalier, Dunn, Golden Valley, Griggs, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, McKenzie, McLean, Mountrail, Nelson, Pembina, Ramsey, Ransom, Renville, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Slope, Traill, Ward, and Wells counties will also be closed Monday, July 3.

Long-time staff attorney to retire

Mike Hagburg, who has served as a staff attorney to the state court administrator’s office for 22 years, has announced his retirement effective June 30.

Job Announcement - Supreme Court Law Clerks

A job announcement for five Law Clerks with the Supreme Court in Bismarck for the 2024-2025 term has been posted.

Juror pay to increase

North Dakota jurors will be getting a raise starting July 1, 2023. The legislature, acting at the request of the Supreme Court, has doubled the daily rate of juror pay.

Job Announcement - Juvenile Court Data Specialist

A job announcement for a Juvenile Court Data Specialist with the Office of the State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Court system to offer parenting coordinator training

The court system will offer a two-day parenting coordinator training class with Dr. Matthew Sullivan June 21-22. The training is free and will meet the requirements of N.D.R.Ct. 8.11.

Family law mediator applications now being accepted

Applications are now being accepted for mediators to mediate for the Family Mediation Program in Bismarck, Fargo, and Williston.

Courthouses to close for Memorial Day

The Supreme Court and county courthouses across the state will be closed Monday, May 29, for Memorial Day.

Court system releases 2022 Juvenile Court Annual Report

The 2022 Juvenile Court Annual Report for the North Dakota Court System is now available. The report looks specifically at referrals to juvenile court, disposition of juvenile cases, and specific programs within the juvenile court offices across the state.

Luella Dunn 1921 - 2023

Former North Dakota Supreme Court Clerk of Court, Luella Dunn died March 9. She was the first female Supreme Court Clerk of Court and only the third person to hold the office since statehood. She served in that capacity from October 30, 1968 until her retirement on June 30, 1992. A memorial service will be held Monday, May 15, in Bismarck.

Court system adopts new juvenile court case management system

The court system went live Monday, May 1, with a new juvenile court case management system. The court uses this software to file and track referrals to juvenile court.

Application deadline May 1 for 2023 Justices Teaching Institute

The deadline for secondary history, government, and social studies teachers to apply to the 2023 North Dakota Justices Teaching Institute is May 1.

Court system to hold seminar on court-appointed visitors

On April 25, the court system will hold a two-hour seminar on the role that court-appointed visitors play when a petition is filed for the appointment of a guardian. Registration is required, but there is no cost to attend.

21 new attorneys admitted to bar

In a ceremony in the Ralph Erickstad Courtroom April 20, 21 new attorneys were admitted to the bar.

Job Announcement - Programmer Analyst

A job announcement for a Programmer Analyst I/Systems Analyst I with the Office of the State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Odyssey system to be down this weekend

The Judicial Branch Information Technology department will be upgrading the Odyssey system beginning Friday, April 14 at 6 p.m. The system will be unavailable over the weekend.

Courthouses to close for Good Friday

The Supreme Court and courthouses across the state will be closed April 7 for the Good Friday holiday.

February 2023 bar examination results released

The State Board of Law Examiners met to review applications and make recommendations for the admission to practice law in North Dakota based on the results of the February 2023 state bar exam. Twenty-one of the 39 applicants who sat for the exam passed. This is a 54 percent pass rate, compared to 68 percent in 2022.

New Law Review issue available online

The North Dakota Law Review recently published Volume 98, Issue 1, and has posted it online.