Events

Justice Friese installed on Supreme Court bench

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:09:00 GMT

Above, Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers, center, is joined by (l to r) Justices Jon J. Jensen and Jerod E. Tufte in welcoming attendees to Justice Friese's investiture.

Debra L. Hoffarth, President of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, presents the judicial robe to Justice Friese.

Justice Friese's wife, RoxAnne, assists with the official robing.

Governor Kelly Armstrong speaks of his appointment of Justice Friese to the Supreme Court.

U.S. District Chief Judge Peter D. Welte makes remarks.

Attorney Bruce D. Quick, Esq., spoke of his experiences as a fellow attorney with Justice Friese.

Above, Chief Justice McEvers delivers remarks.

Justice Friese thanked the many people in attendance who had made an impact on his life and legal career, from his mother, wife and children, to colleagues.

New Lawyers Admitted to the Bar in Supreme Court Ceremony

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Members of the state Supreme Court (L to R) Justices Jon J. Jensen, Jerod E. Tufte, Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers, Justices Douglas A. Bahr, and Mark A. Friese

As part of the admission process, Justice Douglas Bahr leads those being admitted to the bar in the lawyers pledge.

Above, led by Justice Jerod Tufte, the new lawyers recite the oath.

Debra Hoffarth, the President of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, spoke to the new attorneys and encouraged them to balance their professional and personal responsibilities.

Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers congratulates the new attorneys and offered them words of encouragement as they begin their new careers.

Justices Bahr, Friese, and Tufte met with each of the new lawyers in the receiving line after the ceremony concluded.

Grant Walsh adds his name to the Roll of Attorneys as others wait to add their names.

Justice Crothers Retirement Reception set for Feb. 26, 2026

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Supreme Court Justice Daniel J. Crothers' retirement celebration will be held Thursday, February 26, from 3-5 p.m. at the State Capitol in Bismarck.

Click HERE to download the invitation.

Photos from the Passing of the Gavel Ceremony January 6, 2026

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:09:00 GMT

The passing of the gavel ceremony from Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen to Chief Justice-elect Lisa K. Fair McEvers took place on Tuesday, January 6 in the state supreme court chambers. The passing of the gavel is a formal ceremony intended to memorialize the transition of Chief Justices. Speakers at the ceremony included Justices Daniel J. Crothers and Jon J. Jensen, Aaron Birst, Debra L. Joffarth, Judge Susan L. Bailey, and Donald S. Fair, Esq., and Chief Justice Lisa K. Fair McEvers.

Former Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen welcomes attendees to the Passing of the Gavel ceremony.

Justice Daniel J. Crothers speaks about Chief Justice Lisa K. Fair McEvers and her experience on the court.

Above, Aaron Birst of the North Dakota Association of Counties.

Above, Debra L. Hoffarth, President, State Bar Association of North Dakota.

Donald S. Fair, Esq., brother to Chief Justice Fair McEvers, commented on Chief Justice Fair McEver's legal career and path to the judiciary.

District Court Judge Susan L. Bailey spoke about her time in law school with Chief Justice Fair McEvers and their legal career paths.

Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers receives the gavel from former Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen.

Chief Justice Fair McEvers addresses the many attendees, including her family, former justices of the state supreme court, Governor Kelly Armstrong, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, and U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor.

Passing of the gavel ceremony to be held Jan. 6

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:09:00 GMT

The passing of the gavel ceremony from Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen to Chief Justice-elect Lisa K. Fair McEvers will take place Jan. 6. Justice McEvers was elected by the North Dakota Justices and Judges to replace Chief Justice Jensen and will assume her new duties on Jan. 1.

The passing of the gavel is a formal ceremony intended to memorialize the transition of Chief Justices.

The proceedings will be livestreamed at: https://www.ndcourts.gov/supreme-court/listen-to-court

Download the invitation here: Invitation Link

Application Deadline Approaches for 2025 Justices Teaching Institute

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT

The deadline for secondary history, government, and social studies teachers to apply to the 2025 North Dakota Justices Teaching Institute is May 1.

The North Dakota Supreme Court offers this public outreach program to foster a better civic understanding of the role of the courts, how they work, and how judges make decisions. The Institute enables teachers to teach others with confidence about the nature, history, structure, function, and processes of the courts and the legal system. It also emphasizes civic engagement with the judicial branch. For more information, visit the following link: https://www.ndcourts.gov/supreme-court/justices-teaching-institute.

The Institute is facilitated by the Justices of the North Dakota Supreme Courts, the Honorable Jon J. Jensen, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers, the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, the Honorable Jerod Tufte and the Honorable Douglas Bahr

With Supreme Court justices as their guides through the day-and-a-half program the teachers explore the judicial system and the criminal court process in the context of preparing for the Institute's final application – a mock oral argument. The teachers will serve as justices and decide a constitutional question.

The event is scheduled for Oct. 16-17, 2025 at the State Capitol building in Bismarck.

The application form is available on the court’s website at https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/SupremeCourt/JusticesTeachingInstitute/Application%20Process%20Form.pdf. The professional development is offered at no cost to the teachers and participants are eligible to apply for 1 graduate credit from the University of North Dakota.

For more information, contact Lee Ann Barnhardt, Director of Education, at bpechtl@ndcourts.gov.

New Lawyers Admitted to the Bar in Supreme Court Ceremony

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:09:00 GMT

From Left to Right: Justice Douglas Bahr, Justice Jerod Tufte, Justice Daniel Crothers, and Justice Lisa McEvers welcome attendees and guests to the Fall Bar Admission Ceremony in the House Chambers of the state capitol.

Above and below, the new lawyers recite the oath.

Above, the Justices met with each of the new lawyers in the receiving line after the ceremony concluded.

Justice Tufte shakes the hand of Helen On, a new lawyer, while others look on.

Sarah Belliston adds her name to the Roll of Attorneys as Colton Martin, the next to sign his name, records the moment for her on her cell phone.

New lawyers admitted to the Bar in Supreme Court Ceremony

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:15:25 GMT

Front Left to Right: Justice Douglas Bahr, Justice Daniel Crothers, Chief Justice Jon Jensen, Justice Lisa McEvers and Justice Jerod Tufte, welcome attendees to the spring Bar Admission Ceremony in the House Chambers of the state capitol.

Above and below, Justice Bahr administered the Oath to the new lawyers.

Chief Justice Jensen, followed by fellow justices, congratulates Jessica Four Bear and other new attorneys admitted to the North Dakota Bar.

Justice Jerod Tufte congratulates Yusuf Abas, while Justice Crothers visits with Gagandeep Bains.

Attorney Gabrielle Frawley writes her name in the Roll of Attorneys, following the bar admission ceremony.

Admitted at the ceremony were Yusuf Abas, Gagandeep Bains, Cole Berry, Kathryn Bostrom, Peyton Cole, Seth Flynn, Jessica Four Bear, Gabrielle Frawley, Laura Helgeson, Dixie Holland, Vanessa Jerome, Hannah Kalka, Kaycee Link, Shelby Maly, Alivia Olson, and Jacqueline Wetteland.

Justices lead professional development for social studies teachers

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 05:01:00 GMT

Seventeen history, government, and social studies teachers from across the state took part in the ninth North Dakota Justices Teaching Institute: “The Constitution and Judicial Decision-Making” Oct. 19-20, in Bismarck.

The North Dakota Supreme Court developed this public outreach program to foster a better civic understanding of the role of the courts, how courts work and how judges make decisions. Following the Institute, teachers will be able to teach others with confidence about the nature, history, structure, function, and processes of the courts and the legal system.

The Institute was facilitated by the Honorable Jon J. Jensen, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers, the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, the Honorable Jerod E. Tufte, and the Honorable Douglas A. Bahr.

With Supreme Court justices as their guides, the teachers explored the judicial system and the criminal and civil court process in the context of preparing for the Institute's final application – a mock oral argument. The participants served as justices and decided a 14th Amendment substantive due process constitutional question argued by Josh Amundson of the Attorney General’s Office and Todd Ewell, deputy director of North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents.

Participants were Brittany Binstock, Belfield; Michelle Candy, Bismarck; Chris Cavanaugh, Bismarck; Kyle Christofferson, Fargo; Donna Davidson, Center; Christine Fandrich, Minot; Chase Glueckert, Stanley; Michelle Hornseth, Mott; Betty Hurst, Petersburg; John Johanson, Fargo; Erik Kautzman, Beach; Kelli Kessel, Belfield; David Locken, Fessenden; Stephanie McCann, Litchville; Conrad Pederson, Flasher; Erica Quale, Bismarck; and Shannon Sorenson, Bismarck.

To earn a continuing education credit from the University of North Dakota, participants must complete at least 3 hours of in-classroom work with their students; teaching them the concepts learned at the Institute.

The next Justices Teaching Institute is scheduled for October 2025.

Teachers from across the state pose for a picture behind the justices of the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Justice Lisa McEvers provided teachers with an introduction to North Dakota trial courts.

Teachers are sworn in as part of their role as a justice in the mock oral argument.

New lawyers admitted to the bar in Supreme Court Ceremony

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Thirty-one new lawyers were admitted to the North Dakota bar during a ceremony on September 29 in the Russel Reid Auditorium at the North Dakota Heritage Center.

Chief Justice Jon Jensen welcomed House Majority Leader Representative Mike Lefor, Taylor Olson, President of the State Bar Association; and Jane Dynes, Brad Beehler, and Scott Porsborg, members of the State Board of Law Examiners.

Justice Douglas Bahr lead the new admittees in the Lawyer’s Pledge.

Justice Jerod Tufte administered the Oath to the new lawyers.

SBAND President Taylor Olson encouraged the new lawyers to become active members in their communities.

After the admission, the new lawyers added their names to the Roll of Attorneys and attended a social in Memorial Hall of the North Dakota State Capitol, sponsored by the State Bar Association of North Dakota.

Admitted at the ceremony were Elizabeth Behrens, Brooke Bergeron, Virginia Brooks, Kyle Christianson, Matthew Costello, Meggan Crosby, Austin Eggl, Haley Finch, Zachary Greenberg, Alexander Grosz, Erik Hanson, Samuel Harvey, Ashkan Jelodar, Josey Johnson, Joshua Jyring, Alexis Knaeble, Tanner Langley, Ethan Leingang, Levi Liebl, Melissa Lyke, Gavin Mindt, Roman Msaki, Charles Nelson, Casey Orvedal, Collin Poolman, Hamlet Sanchez, Ryan Simatic, Luke Skinner, McKenzie Thompson, Gabrielle Wolf, and Keaton Zaback.

Justice Bahr installed on Supreme Court bench

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 12:04:00 GMT

A formal investiture ceremony for Supreme Court Justice Doug Bahr was held at the State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 27.

After retired South Central Judicial District Judge Rev. Gail Hagerty opened the ceremony by giving the invocation, attorney Zachary Pelham introduced Justice Bahr to the audience and presented him with a robe on behalf of the State Bar Association of North Dakota.

Chief Justice Jon Jensen formally administered the Oath to Justice Bahr. Ryan Norrell, general counsel to Gov. Dohr Burgum, then welcomed Justice Bahr to the bench on behalf of the governor. United States District Judge Daniel Traynor next spoke to discuss Justice Bahr's extensive appellate experience and explain how he was ideally suited for service on the Supreme Court bench.

Alan Bahr talked about what it was like growing up with Justice Bahr as a father. His siblings Adam Bahr and Kathleen Bahr also spoke while Jonathan Bahr presented the benediction.

Chief Justice Jensen discussed the important role Justice Bahr will play while serving on the Supreme Court.

Justice Bahr recognized and extended his appreciation and thanks to the many people who assisted and influenced him on his road to the Supreme Court.

Reminder: Supreme Court continuing education series Friday

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 14:27:00 GMT

The Supreme Court will hold an education seminar Friday, Nov. 19 from 12-1 p.m. CDT on Media Coverage of the Supreme Court. The seminar is intended for news media.

One CLE credit has been approved.

Registration link: https://ndcourts-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcucuqrqDMiHtVuoEagQu0kagF1tLgwsb1d

Presenters will be the Supreme Court Clerk’s and Jack McDonald, media representative.

Application deadline extended to August for 2020 Justices Teaching Institute

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 09:00:00 GMT

North Dakota Justices Teaching Institute:
“The Constitution and Judicial Decision-Making,”
October 22-23, 2020, North Dakota Supreme Court

The deadline for secondary history, government and social studies teachers to apply to the 2020 North Dakota Justices Institute is extended until Aug. 15.

The Institute is facilitated by the Justices of the North Dakota Supreme Courts, the Honorable Jon J. Jensen, the Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers, the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, and the Honorable Jerod Tufte.

With Supreme Court justices as their guides through the day-and-a-half program the teachers will explore the judicial system and the criminal court process in the context of preparing for the Institute's final application – a mock oral argument. The teachers will serve as justices and decide a Fourth Amendment constitutional question.

The event is scheduled for Oct. 22-23, 2020 at the State Capitol Building in Bismarck.

The application form is available on the court’s website at https://www.ndcourts.gov/supreme-court/justices-teaching-institute.

For more information, contact Lee Ann Barnhardt, Director of Education, at lbarnhardt@ndcourts.gov.

Spring bar admission ceremony cancelled

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 08:30:00 GMT

With the concerns related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Supreme Court has cancelled the Bar admission ceremony previously set for Friday, April 17, 2020. Admittees will have the option to be admitted in absentia and/or attend the fall ceremony. The fall ceremony will be held in September or October on a date yet to be determined.

Gavel passes to Chief Justice Jensen

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 12:33:00 GMT

The passing of the gavel ceremony from former Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle to Chief Justice Jon Jensen took place Jan. 6. Chief Justice Jensen was chosen Dec. 12 to replace Justice VandeWalle and assumed his new duties on Jan. 1.

The passing of the gavel is a formal ceremony intended to memorialize the transition of chief justices. Governor Doug Burgum and Justices Dan Crothers, Lisa Fair McEvers and Jerod Tufte spoke at the ceremony, honoring Justice VandeWalle's work and service and welcoming Chief Justice Jensen to his new role.

Justice VandeWalle announced in September 2019 that he would not continue as chief justice. He served as chief justice from 1993-2020 and has been a member of the Supreme Court since 1978.

Chief Justice Jensen graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1990. He was a law clerk to the Supreme Court for the 1990-1991 term and then in private practice from 1991 to 2013. He was appointed Northeast Central Judicial District Judge in 2013 and appointed to the Supreme Court in 2017.

Passing of the gavel ceremony set for Jan. 6

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 12:00:00 GMT

The passing of the gavel ceremony from Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle to incoming Chief Justice Jon Jensen will occur at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, in the Supreme Court Courtroom in Bismarck.

The passing of the gavel is a formal ceremony intended to memorialize the transition of chief justices. Justice Jensen was chosen Dec. 12 to replace Chief Justice VandeWalle and assumed his new duties on Jan. 1.

Chief Justice VandeWalle announced in September 2019 that he would not continue in his position. He has served as Chief Justice since 1993 and on the Supreme Court since 1978.

Justice Jensen graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1990. He was a law clerk to the Supreme Court for the 1990-1991 term and then in private practice from 1991 to 2013. He was appointed Northeast Central Judicial District Judge in 2013 and appointed to the Supreme Court in 2017.

Retirement celebration set for Penny Miller

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 12:30:00 GMT

A retirement celebration to honor longtime Clerk of the Supreme Court Penny Miller will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 in Memorial Hall at the State Capitol in Bismarck.

Justice Tufte and Justice Jensen visit the University of Mary

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 14:23:00 GMT

On Nov. 21, Justice Jerod Tufte and Justice Jon Jensen spoke at the Gary Tharaldson School of Business on the campus of the University of Mary in Bismarck.

The Justices were invited to speak at the University by the Political Science Club and the club advisor, Dr. Michael Hickman.

Justice Tufte spoke about how judges approach decision making in difficult cases and “the source” of individual rights. Justice Jensen spoke about the structure of North Dakota’s judicial system and how standards of review shape appellate decisions.

Questions from the students included whether the justices believe a disparity in financial resources can result in different outcomes for litigants, how the Justices reconciled their own morals with a law that is contrary to their morals, and whether media coverage of pending cases is accurate. After the session the Justices answered questions from individual students about law school preparation and their thoughts about pursuing careers in the law.

UND law students argue in front of North Dakota Supreme Court

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 07:00:00 GMT

G.F. Herald

The power of a good argument and a couple of pairs of leopard shoes helped propel Tatiana Hamilton and Katie Winbauer to a narrow victory in the finals of UND’s intra-school moot court competition.

Members of North Dakota’s Supreme Court judged the competition Wednesday evening, a tradition that stretches back years, but offers students an opportunity few others get at a young age, arguing a case in front of their state’s highest court.

“This is as close to a real life experience as our students could possibly have,” Ariana Meyers, faculty adviser for the moot court board, said. “Our North Dakota Supreme Court is very interactive with our law school and with our students. That is something that sets UND Law School apart from other law schools.”

UND Law School hosts North Dakota Supreme Court

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 08:30:00 GMT

G.F. Herald

The North Dakota Supreme Court returned to the University of North Dakota Law School this week for its annual visit, giving students the opportunity to see the state’s highest court in action as it heard four arguments over the course of two days.

The state Supreme Court has been making the trip to Grand Forks to hear arguments for more than 30 years, said Rob Carolin, a UND Law School spokesperson.

“We’re the only law school in North Dakota. We are basically North Dakota’s law school,” Carolin said. “(The justices) have a strong tie to the law school because we are sort of the folks training the future generation of attorneys for North Dakota. And also, a lot of them went to school here. They have a personal kind of joy, as a former student, that they get to come back and make a difference.”