State of the Judiciary Report 2011

I am pleased to offer the State of the Judiciary Report to the 112th Annual Meeting of the State Bar Association. Despite what some of the younger lawyers may believe, I have not been in attendance at all 112 meetings. A few people in this room were in attendance at the same meeting I was a few weeks ago in which the speaker, a retired Law School Dean, in talking about his age said that "With age comes wisdom but sometimes age comes alone."

State of the Judiciary Message 2011

I perhaps should not tell you this, but it may surprise you to learn that delivering a State of the Judiciary message is not a privilege all of my colleagues in other states share. I do not take this privilege for granted and I recognize your already heavy schedule. The invitation to speak to you today is indicative of the spirit of cooperation and respect that our three branches of government in our state share. I thank you for that.

The Supreme Court at the UND School of Law - The October 25-26, 2010, photos

The Court visited the University of North Dakota School of Law on October 25-26, 2010. Jesse Lange of Fargo argued on behalf of the appellant in State v. Steffes on Oct. 25.

The Supreme Court at the University of Mary - The September 16, 2010, photos

Attorney Daniel Frisk stated the position of appellant Bruce A. Hager in State v. Hager, a Securities Act case.

The Supreme Court in Edgeley - The September 13, 2010, photos

The justices of the North Dakota Supreme Court meet with Edgeley students.

State of the Judiciary Message 2010

Clarence Darrow is quoted in the New York Times April 19, 1936, as saying "There is no such thing as justice, in or out of court." With all due respect to Mr. Darrow, I hope to prove him wrong at least with regard to access to justice in the courts.

The Supreme Court at UND School of Law - The October 28-29, 2009, photos

The Court visited the University of North Dakota School of Law on October 28 and 29, 2009.

The Supreme Court at Dakota Prairie - The October 27, 2009, photos

The Supreme Court traveled to Petersburg and the Dakota Prairie High School on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.

The Supreme Court at Adams-Edmore - The October 26, 2009, photos

The Supreme Court visited the Adams-Edmore Public School on Monday, October 26, 2009, in Edmore.

The Supreme Court at Williston - The September 14, 2009, photos

The Supreme Court traveled to Williston September 14 to meet with students and hear oral arguments in a case.

The Supreme Court at the University of Mary - The September 10, 2009, photos

Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle opens the session of Court at the University of Mary as the justices look on

State of the Judiciary Message to the Bar 2009

I am pleased to be here today to deliver the Court's annual message to this assembly. I intend to outline briefly some of the matters, other than legal actions, that have occupied the Judicial Branch since I last spoke with you. We have decided to "go green" and this message has not been printed.

State of the Judiciary Message 2009

This is the 9th State of the Judiciary message I have presented to you and the 25th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature I have had the opportunity to observe. I do not take the privilege to appear before you lightly, and I continue to feel that sense of excitement and anticipation that, at least for me, comes with each session.

The Supreme Court at UND School of Law - The October 28-29, 2008, photos

John Morrison represented the appellant in Bragg v Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Co. the North Dakota as the North Dakota Supreme Court opened its visit to UND on Oct. 28

The Supreme Court in Hatton-Northwood - The October 27, 2008, photos

An all-school assembly started the Supreme Court's day at Hatton-Northwood

State of the Judiciary Message 2008

In past years we have made printed copies of this message and attached to it the Annual Report of the Courts. Because both the State of the Judiciary and the Annual Report are readily accessible on the Supreme Court website, almost simultaneously with my appearance, we have not done so this year. The Supreme Court website address is: www.ndcourts.gov.

The Supreme Court in Cooperstown - The April 22, 2008, photos

The Supreme Court traveled to Cooperstown April 22 to meet with students and hear oral arguments in a case

The Supreme Court in Valley City - The April 21, 2008 photos

The Supreme Court traveled to Valley City April 21 to meet with students and hear oral arguments in a case

The Supreme Court at Dickinson Trinity - The Feb. 19, 2008, photos

The Supreme Court traveled to Dickinson Feb. 19 to meet with students at Trinity High School and to hear oral arguments in a case

The Supreme Court at UND - The October 2007 photos

The Supreme Court made its annual trip to the University of North Dakota School of Law from October 29-31, 2007.

State of the Judiciary Message to the Bar 2007

I am pleased to be here today to report on the State of the North Dakota Judiciary. I know your time is limited, so I will move right into my remarks.

State of the Judiciary Message 2007

This past year we have been marking the thirtieth anniversary of the amendment of the North Dakota Constitution and the changes that brought to the Judicial Branch. Thirty years ago, we had a multi-tiered county and municipal court system with overlapping jurisdiction, judges without law training, and unwritten rules of court.

The Supreme Court at UND - The October 5, 2006, photos

The Supreme Court made its annual Homecoming trip to the University of North Dakota School of Law on October 5, 2006.