CPA society profiles Justice Jon J. Jensen in newsletter Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Justice Jon J. Jensen, a CPA, was profiled in the May 2019 of the North Dakota CPA Newsletter, a quarterly publication issued by the North Dakota Society of Certified Public Accountants. The North Dakota CPA Society is the statewide association of Certified Public Accountants. It has over 1,800 members, consisting of CPAs and students planning to become CPAs. About 75% of all CPAs in North Dakota are members. The Society maintains an office and staff based in Grand Forks. Justice Jensen has been an active member of the NDSCPA since 1993.

Here is the profile:

Jon J. Jensen, CPA

Position: Justice

Birth Place: Grand Forks, ND

Firm/Company Location: North Dakota Supreme Court, Bismarck, ND

Job Responsibilities: As a Justice on the North Dakota Supreme Court I am responsible for reviewing appeals from cases decided by North Dakota trial courts when one of the parties believes their case was not handled fairly or that there has been a misapplication of the law. Every fifth appeal is assigned to me to prepare the written opinion of the court. The Supreme Court is also responsible for administration of the North Dakota judicial system. It has been a challenging job made easier by wonderful colleagues.

Professional Activities: My current professional activities include NDSCPA Public Relations Committee and the following committees within the North Dakota Judicial System: Caseflow Management Committee, Court Services Administration Committee (Chair), Juvenile Drug Court Advisory Committee (Chair), Pretrial Detention workgroup and Court Connections (a judicial education/outreach program in schools). I am a member of NDSCPA, Bismarck Mandan Chapter NDSCPA, North Dakota and Minnesota State Bar Associations, American Bar Association, Grand Forks County Bar Association, and Big Muddy Bar Association. My current volunteer activities include the Boy Scouts, Red River Runners Grand Forks, Bismarck Kennel Club, judging various civic-related competitions and the YMCA.

Employment Background: After graduating from law school I served as a judicial law clerk for Chief Justice Ralph Erickstad of the North Dakota Supreme Court, 1990-91, assisting with research and writing opinions. From 1991- 2013 I was in private practice handling primarily litigation cases and specializing in criminal/civil tax litigation. While in private practice I took a one-year leave of absence to work as tax counsel for Northwest Airlines; 2000-01. In 2013 Governor Jack Dalrymple appointed me to serve as a District Court Judge in Grand Forks and Nelson counties, and I was elected to that position in 2016. In 2017 Governor Burgum appointed me to serve as a Justice on the North Dakota Supreme Court and I will be up for election in 2020 to retain that position.

Alma Master/Degree: B.S. Accounting, Minnesota State University Mankato, 1987. J.D., University of North Dakota School of Law, 1990.

Hobbies and Pastimes: I enjoy just about any form of exercise and in particular enjoy bicycling. Linda, my spouse, is active in showing dogs and competing in dog obedience trials; I tag along to carry heavy things and perform the necessary task of waste disposal.

Personal: Linda Bata and I met in law school, took the CPA exam together and took the bar exam together. She was the top of her undergraduate class and at the top of our law school class. Fortunately for me, she was willing to help me study for both exams. We share our home with DeMor’s Like a Hurricane, “Storm”, who is a wonderful two-year-old Doberman Pinscher.