IN GRATITUDE
MICHAEL S . MCGINNISS Dean , University of North Dakota School of Law
As I approach these closing months in my three years of deanship , I have been reflecting a great deal about the journey I have taken since 2019 as the dean of the UND School of Law . In my final Dean ’ s Column , as inadequate as my words will be , I will endeavor to express the fullness of my gratitude to members of the North Dakota bench and bar , and SBAND as an organization , for their tremendous support for the School of Law and for my leadership on its behalf .
First , I am very grateful to each of the members of the North Dakota Supreme Court : Chief Justice Jon Jensen and Justices Gerald W . VandeWalle , Daniel Crothers , Lisa Fair McEvers , and Jerod Tufte . Each has been actively engaged for many years in supporting our law students and graduates in more ways than I can adequately describe here ; and each has been an invaluable resource to me as the dean when I have sought advice for how to enhance our program of legal education and strengthen our service to the North Dakota legal community and public .
I have relied greatly on their wisdom and experience throughout the past three years , and I will look forward to continuing to do so post-deanship in my work as a member of our faculty . The opportunity to participate in the naming of our thirdfloor courtroom in honor of the legendary Justice VandeWalle in February 2020 , and the dedication ceremony at UND Law Homecoming in October 2021 , will always be two of the proudest and fondest memories of my deanship . His living example of great love for the State of North Dakota and unswerving dedication to the best of its traditions and values has inspired me since I joined our faculty 12 years ago , and that inspiration will remain within me for the rest of my career .
Second , the achievements of my goals for the UND School of Law as the dean have benefitted enormously from the great professional relationships I have had with each SBAND president who has served along the way with me - and even before I officially started . When then-Provost , the late Tom DiLorenzo , named me as the new dean in late February 2019 ( right before crossover in the North Dakota Legislative session ), I immediately worked closely with SBAND President Zachary Pelham ( 2018-2019 ). Zack was a major force in rallying SBAND members to advocate on our behalf for increased state funding to halt the downward financial and performance pressures we were experiencing from loss of faculty positions , enrollments , and vital programs .
With his vigorous efforts and strong leadership in drawing the voices of numerous SBAND members to our cause , the Legislative Assembly approved a significant increase to the base appropriation for the School of Law of almost $ 2.8 million for the biennium . Zack ’ s successor , Aubrey Zuger ( 2019-2020 ), then became a leading supporter and ally for achieving my essential deanship goal of re-launching a program of clinical legal education at the School of Law . In particular , Aubrey ’ s leadership and advocacy were pivotal contributors toward the School of Law ’ s creation of the Family Law Clinical Practicum that launched in Fall 2020 .
Then , in spring 2021 , with the avid support and effective leadership provided by SBAND President Carrie Francis ( 2020- 2021 ), along with Board of Governors Taylor Olson and Judge Michael Hurly , the legislative assembly approved a long-needed program to promote increased access to legal services in rural North Dakota . This pilot program , which we hope will be expanded in future years , provides financial support for North Dakota lawyers who agree to devote at least five years to establishing a law practice in one of the state ’ s rural communities .
And finally , SBAND President Judge Doug Bahr ( 2021-2022 ) has been a steadfast leader and strong advocate for the School of Law when meeting with members around the state and continuing SBAND ’ s commitment to supporting scholarships for our law students . Each of these presidents has done great service in furtherance of our mission , and has played an important role in continuing to strengthen the deep bonds between SBAND and the School of Law .
I am wholeheartedly and truly grateful
22 THE GAVEL