United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit holds special session as part of visit
The Honorable Ralph Erickson Visits UND School of Law as Jurist-in-Residence
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit holds special session as part of visit
The University of North Dakota ( UND ) School of Law welcomed Judge Ralph Erickson of the U . S . Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit as its 2024 Rodney S . Webb Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence . The highly anticipated visit marked the return of the jurist-inresidence program after an 11-year hiatus .
During the two-day visit , Judge Erickson visited the Intellectual Property and Federal Indian Law classes , engaged with members of the North Dakota Law Review and the Student Trial Lawyers Association , attended a breakfast with students , and participated in a federal clerkship panel with Judge Shon Hastings , U . S . Bankruptcy Judge for the District of North Dakota ; Judge Alice Senechal , U . S . Magistrate Judge for the District of North Dakota ; and Judge Daniel Traynor , U . S . District Court Judge for the District of North Dakota .
“ For many years , Judge Erickson has done so much to provide invaluable opportunities for our students through clerkships , externships , teaching , and mentoring ,” said Nikola Datzov , assistant professor of law , who coordinated the visit and moderated the federal clerkship panel . “ He is exceptionally deserving of this recognition – his continued efforts to make our students better will carry well into their careers and leave a lasting impact .”
The highlight of the visit was a special session held by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in the School of Law ’ s newly remodeled VandeWalle Courtroom with Judges Erickson , L . Steven Grasz , and Jonathan A . Kobes presiding . The
Judge Erickson gives remarks at a luncheon held in his honor during his jurist-in-residence visit .
special session heard three oral arguments and were open to law students and the public .
A celebratory luncheon was held in Judge Erickson ’ s honor at the UND Memorial Union with close family , friends , colleagues , and dignitaries in attendance . Remarks were given by Brian Pappas , dean of the School of Law ; Eric Link , UND provost and vice president for Academic Affairs ; DeAnna Carlson Zink , CEO of the UND
Professor Nikola Datzov thanks attendees at the luncheon in honor of Judge Erickson .
Alumni Association & Foundation ; Nikola Datov , UND assistant professor of law ; and The Honorable Wade L . Webb , district judge for the East Central Judicial District and the 2013 Rodney S . Webb Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence . Dean Pappas presented Judge Erickson with an engraved crystal gavel following Erickson ’ s remarks .
The U . S . Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit heard oral arguments in the VandeWalle Courtroom on March 1 .
Judge Erickson capped off his visit to UND Law with a reception at the school of law co-hosted by the State Bar Association of North Dakota ( SBAND ) and the Federal Practice Committee .
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