LAWYER DISCIPLINE
NOTICE OF ORDER ON ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE
In the Matter of the Application for Disciplinary Action Against Paul J. Merkens, A Member of the Bar of the State of North Dakota
No. 20250300-20250302
The North Dakota Supreme Court considered the Disciplinary Board’ s recommendation that Merkens be transferred to incapacitated status until further order of the North Dakota Supreme Court. Merkens stipulated to the transfer and acknowledged he would be permitted to petition to return to active status under N. D. R. Lawyer Discipl. 5.2 when he is able to establish he has better management of his mental health and addiction recovery. The Supreme Court ordered that Merkens be placed on incapacity inactive status until further order of the Court.
NOTICE OF ORDER DISBARRING ATTORNEY
In the Matter of the Application for Disciplinary Action Against Anders L. Odegaard, Member of the Bar of the State of North Dakota
No. 20250115
Anders L. Odegaard was disbarred in Minnesota effective Jan. 2. The Disciplinary Board recommended the Supreme Court of North Dakota impose the identical discipline as reciprocal discipline in North Dakota. Odegaard did not dispute imposition of the identical discipline. The Supreme Court adopted the hearing panel’ s recommendation and disbarred Odegaard.
Summer 2025 Guess Who Answers: Back Row, L-R: Tony Weiler, Kyle Carlson, Clint Bogden, and Mike Andrews Front Row, L-R: Krista Andrews, Kari Stonelake-Hopkins, U. S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Alana DeKrey, Paul Odegaard
Winner: Congratulations to Judge Susan Bailey who responded with the most correct answers.
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