Notice of Consultation Wednesday, February 12, 2014

IN THE SUPREME COURT 
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA 

[1] On February 12, 2014, Governor Jack Dalrymple notified this Court of the retirement of the Honorable William W. McLees as Judge of the District Court, North Central Judicial District, effective June 30, 2014. Under N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1 a vacancy in the office of district judge will be created upon Judge McLees� retirement.

[2] Within 90 days after the notification of the vacancy, N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1 requires the Supreme Court to determine whether the office is necessary for effective judicial administration. The Supreme Court may order that: (1) the vacancy be filled; (2) the vacant office be transferred to a judicial district in which an additional judge is necessary for effective judicial administration; or (3) the vacant office be abolished with or without transfer of a district judgeship to any location in which a judge is necessary for effective judicial administration. The Supreme Court considered the matter, and

[3] ORDERED, the Supreme Court undertake a written consultation with the attorneys and judges of the North Central Judicial District on this matter under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2. Any person wishing to comment on the vacancy may do so in writing no later than Friday, March 14, 2014.

[4] It is expected the Supreme Court will receive a report discussing the factors under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, Section 4, for each of the counties in the North Central Judicial District from the Court Administrator for Unit 4. Written comments may be e-mailed to Penny Miller, Clerk of the Supreme Court, at supclerkofcourt@ndcourts.gov, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505-0530.

[5] Entered this 12th day of February, 2014, at the direction of the Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle, Chief Justice, and the Honorable Dale V. Sandstrom, the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers and the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, Justices.

Penny Miller 
Clerk 
North Dakota Supreme Court