Task Force Examines Bar Admissions and Lawyer Retention
By Kylie Blanchard , Clearwater Communications
The Bar Admission and Lawyer Retention Task Force was formed in response to a House Concurrent Resolution ( HCR ) passed during the 68th Legislative Assembly . HCR 3023 states the resolution was created “ to encourage the judicial branch to consider forming a task force to study the retention of University of North Dakota ( UND ) law graduates in the state , including evaluation of alternative pathways to bar admission that ensures attorney competence .”
In addition , the resolution addressed the need for additional attorneys in North Dakota . “ The legislature was concerned by the shortage of lawyers in the state , especially in rural areas ,” says North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Jerod Tufte , chairman of the Bar Admission and Lawyer Retention Task Force .
The resolution encouraged the state ’ s judicial branch to form a task force to study the retention of UND law graduates in the state and alternative pathways to bar admission . Membership of the task force could include representatives of the judicial branch , State Board of Law Examiners , legislative branch , UND School of Law , and State Bar Association of North Dakota ( SBAND ).
“ The objective of the task force is to study the available information regarding assessment / recruitment and retention of highly competent attorneys and the provisions of legal services in North Dakota , then assemble any findings / recommendations for the legislature ,” says Jane Dynes , president of the State Board of Law Examiners and task force member .
Tufte says he was pleased to take the assignment of leading the Bar Admission and Lawyer Retention Task Force when asked by
Supreme Court Chief Justice Jon J . Jensen . “ This is a topic I have been interested in ,” he notes . “ I worked in a rural district and live in a rural county . But , of course , it is not only a rural problem . It is a statewide issue . It is something I was happy to take on .”
“ It ’ s given to the judicial branch to lead this because it is the Court that governs the practice of law in the state ,” he continues .
The task force has begun meeting during the legislative interim with the goal of providing findings and recommendations to the Court and the 69th Legislative Assembly in 2025 .
Addressing the Challenges
“ We are taking a broad view of what the problems are and the solutions to these problems ,” says Tufte . “ We are more of an exploratory committee , examining problems and solutions .”
During the task force ’ s first meeting in January , Tufte says its members looked at the needs of the people of North Dakota for legal services , what lawyers provide the state ’ s residents , what individuals can achieve on their own , and whether more lawyers is the only solution to these challenges .
“ We have a shortage of lawyers in the state , the practice of law is changing , and we need to do more for those who cannot afford legal services ,” says SBAND Executive Director Tony Weiler , who was called to serve on the committee because of his experiences with the issues facing the legal profession .
“ The goal is to improve access to justice for the people of North
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