Job Announcement - Assistant State’s Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Burleigh County State’s Attorney's office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Victim/Witness Coordinator

A job announcement for a Victim/Witness Coordinator with the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s office in Bismarck has been posted.

NECJD dedicates courtroom to retired Judge Jahnke

On Dec. 5, the Northeast Central Judicial District dedicated its new Courtroom 109 to retired District Judge Lawrence Jahnke.

Former chief deputy clerk to head California appeals court office

Colette Bruggman, who served 17 years with the Supreme Court's clerk office, has been appointed clerk/executive officer of the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Judges, attorneys apply for Supreme Court vacancy

Judges Doug Bahr, Daniel El-Dweek and Stacy Louser and attorneys David Hagler, Kiara Kraus-Parr, Angela Elsperger Lord and Jake Rodenbiker have applied for the Supreme Court vacancy that will be created by the retirement of Justice Gerald VandeWalle.

Pro hac vice fee payment reminder

Under Admission to Practice Rule 3, attorneys continuing to appear pro hac vice in 2023 in a North Dakota state court proceeding for which they have already filed a motion for pro hac vice admission are required to pay a fee of $380 by Jan. 1, 2023.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Dec.1

Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley has issued an opinion regarding Teacher Support Program grants.

Changes to reliable electronic means rule effective Dec. 1

Amendments to N.D.Sup.Ct.Admin.R. 52 on reliable electronic means proceedings took effect on Dec. 1.

Morris A. Tschider 1933-2022

Longtime Bismarck attorney Morris A. Tschider died Nov. 25. A graduate of the UND School of Law, he was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1958. Services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29, in Bismarck.

Job Announcement - Staff Attorney

A job announcement for a Staff Attorney with the District Court in Dickinson has been posted.

Job Announcement - Municipal Court Clerk

A job announcement for Clerk of the Devils Lake Municipal Court has been posted.

Job Announcement - Supervising Attorney Public Defender

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

Job Announcement - Public Defender

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

New opinions: Nov. 23

The Supreme Court has issued 7 new opinions.

Notice of Supreme Court vacancy

The Judicial Nominating Committee has received a letter from Gov. Doug Burgum convening the committee to screen applicants and submit a list of nominees to fill the seat on the Supreme Court as a result of the retirement of Justice Gerald W. VandeWalle. Applications are due Friday, Dec.2.

Courthouses to close for Thanksgiving

The Supreme Court and county courthouses across the state will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Most county courthouses will also be closed Friday, Nov. 25, but the courthouses in Barnes, Burleigh, Cass, Morton and Walsh counties will be open.

Job Announcement - Office Manager

A job announcement for an Office Manager with the Cass County State’s Attorney's office in Fargo has been posted.

Supreme Court dedicates conference room to Justice Levine

In a ceremony on Nov. 21, the justices of the North Dakota Supreme Court dedicated a conference room in honor of former Supreme Court Justice Beryl Levine.

Alice M. Fisk 1930-2022

Alice M. Fisk, the longtime judicial secretary to Chief Justice Ralph Erikstad, died Nov. 17. Services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Bismarck.

Jill L. Schafer 1961-2022

Jill L. Schafer, longtime deputy clerk of court and recently appointed/elected clerk of court for Benson County, died Nov. 18. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Nov. 26, in Minnewaukan.

Donald A. Sauviac Jr. 1963-2022

Donald A. Sauviac Jr., who practiced law in North Dakota from 2014-2020, died Nov. 16. A graduate of the Southern University Law Center, he was admitted to the N.D. bar in 2017. Services will be held in New Orleans on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Grand Forks court celebrates National Adoption Day

National Adoption Day on Nov. 19 was full of joy at the Grand Forks County Courthouse, where three families participated in the day with six kids finalizing their adoption.

New issue of N.D. Law Review now online

North Dakota Law Review Volume 97, Issue 3, is now available at the Law Review website.

Justice VandeWalle announces retirement

Justice Gerald W. VandeWalle has notified Governor Burgum of his retirement from the Supreme Court effective January 31, 2023. He has served on the Court since 1978.

Job Announcement - Technology Coordinator

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

Job Announcement - Assistant City Attorney

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

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Nov. 16

Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley has issued a new opinion on health records.

Job Announcement - Assistant State’s Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Cass County State’s Attorney's office in Fargo has been posted.

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D.R.Civ.P., Crim.P., App. P., Juv.P., Ev., Ct., Admin. R.

Job Announcement - Assistant State’s Attorney

A job announcement for three Assistant State’s Attorneys with the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Deputy Clerk

A job announcement for a Deputy Clerk with the District Court in Dickinson has been posted.

Supreme Court to dedicate conference room to Justice Levine

On Monday, Nov. 21, the Supreme Court will name a conference room in honor of Justice Beryl J. Levine, the first woman to serve on the Court. The ceremony will be held in the Ralph J. Erickstad Courtroom beginning at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.

Courthouses closed for Veterans' Day

The Supreme Court and county courthouses across the state will be closed Friday, Nov. 11, for Veterans' Day.

New opinions: Nov. 10

The Supreme Court has issued 22 new opinions.

County courthouses closed Nov. 10 due to weather

The courthouses in Billings, Dunn, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Kidder, Logan, Sargent, Sioux, Steele, and Wells counties will be closed Thursday, Nov. 10, due to inclement weather. Eddy, Nelson, Ramsey, and Rolette counties are closing at noon, Barnes County is closing at 1 p.m., Dickey and McKenzie counties are closing at 2 p.m., Griggs County is closing at 2:30 p.m. and Stutsman and Walsh counties are closing at 3 p.m.

Mark G. Schneider 1948-2022

Longtime Fargo attorney Mark G. Schneider died Nov. 8. A UND School of Law graduate, he was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1974. An Irish wake will be held Friday, Nov. 18, in Fargo.

Job Announcement - Legal Assistant

A job announcement for two Legal Assistants with the Burleigh County State's Attorney's office in Bismarck has been posted.

Cleveland, Thornton win district court elections

Connie Cleveland won election to East Central Judicial District Judgeship No. 4 and Nick Thornton won election to Southeast Judicial District Judgeship No. 2 in voting Nov. 8. The remaining Supreme Court and District Court elections in the state were uncontested.

Job Announcement - Case Aide

A job announcement for a Case Aide with the Juvenile Drug Court Program in Devils Lake has been posted.

Job Announcement - Adult Treatment Court Coordinator

A job announcement for a Coordinator with the Richland County Adult Treatment Court in Wahpeton has been posted.

Job Announcement - File Technician

A job announcement for a File Technician with the Grand Forks County States Attorney’s office in Grand Forks has been posted.

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52

Court approves amendments to records access rule

Effective Nov. 1, the Supreme Court has adopted significant changes to Administrative Rule 41 on access to court records.

Job Announcement - Legal Counsel

A job announcement for Legal Counsel to the ND Real Estate Commission in Bismarck has been posted.  

New opinions: Oct. 27

The Supreme Court has issued four new opinions.

Bruce R. Howe 1932-2022

Longtime Dickinson attorney Bruce R. Howe died Oct. 9. A University of Montana law graduate, he was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1958. A memorial service will be held in the in the spring of 2023.

Supreme Court accepting applications for Rural Attorney Recruitment Program

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

Dillon appointed referee and magistrate in NCJD

Kelly Dillon has been appointed full-time referee and magistrate for the North Central Judicial District.

Job Announcement - Deputy Clerk

A job announcement for a Deputy Clerk with the District Court in Fargo has been posted.

Judicial outreach liaison publishes newsletter on treatment courts

Retired Judge John Grinsteiner, the judicial outreach liaison for the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, has released a newsletter focused on North Dakota's treatment courts.

Job Announcement - Deputy Court Clerk

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

Job Announcement - Supervising Attorney Public Defender

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

Job Announcement - Assistant State’s Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Richland County State's Attorney's Office in Wahpeton has been posted.

Dickey, Logan clerk's offices closed Oct. 21

The Dickey and Logan County Clerk of Court’s offices will be closed on Friday, Oct. 21.

Dakota Datebook: Judge Lester Ketterling

Prairie Public has published a profile of Judge Lester Ketterling, who was the second blind person admitted to the N.D. bar and who served as county and district judge.

Judge Hill elected to ABA Board of Governors

South Central Judicial District Judge James S. Hill has been elected a member of the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association representing District 10. His first board meeting will be in November.

N.D. Attorney General opinions: Oct. 17

Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley has issued two new opinions.

Lawyers encouraged to apply to Rural Attorney Recruitment Program

The Rural Attorney Recruitment Program was established by the legislature in 2021 with the goal of increasing the number of lawyers residing and working in rural North Dakota.

Law library adds legal treatise listing

The Law Library has added a new feature to its webpage: Treatises in the library's collection are now listed by topic. Users may contact the library to request a treatise or to get more information about a treatise.

Lawyers reminded to verify their mailing address

Lawyers are reminded to verify their mailing address on their lawyer page, which can be found on the Lawyer Search page of the North Dakota Courts website.

N.D. Attorney General opinion: Oct. 11

Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley has issued an opinion that the North Dakota Professional Health Program is a public entity subject to the open records and meetings laws.

Job Announcement - Assistant State’s Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Burleigh County State’s Attorney's office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - File Clerk/Legal Secretary

A job announcement for a File Clerk/Legal Secretary with the Burleigh County State's Attorney's office in Bismarck has been posted.

Court system to offer training seminars for guardians

In November and December, the court system will be offering virtual education seminars on issues of interest to guardians and attorneys. The seminars have been approved by SBAND for CLE credits.

Richland County courthouse closed Oct. 10

The Richland County courthouse will be closed Monday, Oct. 10.

Job Announcement - Assistant State’s Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Ward County State’s Attorney’s office in Minot has been posted.

New opinions: Oct. 4

The Supreme Court has issued two new opinions.

NECJD hosts 'Justice for Vets' training

Three “Justice for Vets” mentor training professionals guided 12 Veterans Treatment Court team members, Veterans Service Officers and potential mentor candidates through two days of intensive training on Oct. 3-4 in Grand Forks.

Marian Stine 1924-2022

Longtime attorney Marian Stine died Sept. 26. She was the 29th woman to graduate from the UND School of Law and was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1947.

New opinions: Sept. 29

The Supreme Court has issued six new opinions.

Supreme Court resumes prior oral argument procedure

For arguments held in September 2022, the Supreme Court adopted a block argument procedure. Beginning in October 2022, the Supreme Court will resume its prior oral argument procedure.

N.D. Attorney General opinions: Sept. 29

Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley has issued five new opinions.

Job Announcement - Temporary File Clerk

A job announcement for a Temporary File Clerk with the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s office in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Assistant Attorney General

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

Job Announcement - Assistant Attorney General

A job announcement for an Assistant Attorney General with the State and Local Government Division of the Attorney General's office in Bismarck has been posted.

State court administrator receives Warren E. Burger Award

On Sept. 28, longtime North Dakota State Court Administrator Sally Holewa received the Warren E. Burger Award for Excellence in Court Administration from the National Center for State Courts.

Job Announcement - Attorney II

A job announcement for an Attorney II with the Protection & Advocacy Project in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Legal Secretary

A job announcement for a Legal Secretary II with the Grand Forks County States Attorney’s office has been posted.

37 new lawyers admitted to N.D. bar

In a Sept. 23 ceremony at the State Capitol, 37 new lawyers were admitted to the North Dakota bar.

Judge Chase formally installed on bench

On Sept. 21, East Central Judicial District Judge Nicholas W. Chase was installed on the bench in a formal investiture ceremony at the Cass County courthouse.

Supreme Court chooses law clerks for 2023-2024 term

The Supreme Court has selected Orrin Burch, Haley Finch, Dixie Holland, Casey Orvedal and Charles Steinberger to serve one-year clerkships beginning Aug. 1, 2023.

Judge Cruff to lead mental health initiative

Southeast Judicial District Judge Brad Cruff recently completed the Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative and will be teaming with Dr. Rose Julius of the Northeast Human Service Center to train North Dakota judges on working with individuals with behavioral health needs who come into the justice system.

Job Announcement - Legal Assistant

A job announcement for a Legal Assistant with the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s office in Bismarck has been posted.

Schneider nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney

McLain J. Schneider of Fargo has been nominated to serve as United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota.

NECJD issues updated COVID-19 courthouse protocol

On Sept. 16, the Northeast Central Judicial District released a revised COVID-19 courthouse protocol that includes updated information on Zoom appearances, mask wear and trial procedure.

Job Announcement - Assistant State’s Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Grand Forks County State’s Attorney's office in Grand Forks has been posted.

New opinions: Sept. 15

The Supreme Court has issued two new opinions.

Irene Springan 1919-2022

Longtime Supreme Court judicial secretary Irene Springan died Sept. 9. Burial will be held at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Stanley.

Berta L. Anstrom 1946-2022

Fargo attorney Berta L. Anstrom died Aug. 24. A UND School of Law graduate, she was admitted to the N.D. Bar in 1996. A small service for family members will be held at a later date.

Job Announcement - Paralegal

A job announcement for a Paralegal with the District Court in Williston has been posted.

Referee Portscheller to retire after long career in the courts

North Central Judicial District Referee Connie S. Portscheller has announced that she will retire effective Nov. 4. She has worked in the judicial system for almost 30 years.

July 2022 bar examination results released

The State Board of Law Examiners have announced the results of the July 2022 bar examination. Of the 66 applicants who sat for the bar examination in Bismarck, 39 applicants achieved a passing score.

James F. Lester 1953-2022

Fargo attorney James F. Lester died Sept. 1. A UND School of Law graduate, he was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1981. A celebration of life gathering will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13, in Fargo.

Frederick C. Rathert 1940-2022

Longtime Williston attorney Frederick C. Rathert died Sept. 8. He earned his law degree at the University of Montana and was admitted to the N.D. bar in 1965. A funeral service will be held Monday, Sept. 12 in Wolf Point, Mont.

Job Announcement - Assistant State's Attorney

A job announcement for an Assistant State's Attorney with the Williams County State's Attorney's office in Williston has been posted.

New opinion: Sept. 7

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

Job Announcement - Deputy Clerk

A job announcement for a Deputy Clerk with the District Court in Williston has been posted.

Job Announcement - Deputy Clerk

A job announcement for a Deputy Clerk with the District Court in the Bismarck/Mandan area has been posted.