UPCOMING EVENTS
CONTENTS
FEATURES
New Supreme Court Justice Mark A. Friese.................................................................... 6“ Call Me‘ Jerry’” Published on Justice Gerald VandeWalle’ s Life and Service................ 10
In a World of Catchy AI Lawyers, It Pays to Be the Trusted Discussion Group Leader...................................................... 12
ALPS: Lawyer Civility in Digital Communications...................................................... 14 Jefferson’ s Declaration and Constitution........................................................................ 16 Thank you Satch!............................................................................................................ 18
DEPARTMENTS
Spring 2026 VOLUME 73, NUMBER 2
SBAND President............................................................................................................ 4 SBAND Executive Director............................................................................................. 5
North Dakota Supreme Court Highlights by Scott O. Diamond, Ian McLean, and Joshua A. Swanson............................................... 22
Preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam by Bradley Myers................................................. 26 Recent Rule Amendments Approved by the Supreme Court by Andy Forward............. 28 ABA Mid-Year Meeting by Zack Pelham........................................................................ 29 LSND: Disaster Resources, Training, and Pro Bono Growth........................................ 30 The Legal Writing Corner by Jennifer Cook and Denitsa Mavrova Heinrich................... 32 Young Lawyer Showcase................................................................................................ 34 Bar Foundation Update.................................................................................................. 36 Discipline....................................................................................................................... 38
State Bar Association of North Dakota Officers
Board of Governors
Debra Hoffarth, Minot President Rob Manly, Fargo President-Elect Hon. Ted Sandberg, Grand Forks Immediate Past-President Paul Myerchin, Bismarck Secretary-Treasurer Zack Pelham, Bismarck ABA Delegate Robin Johansen, Fargo EC Judicial District Ben Sand, Bismarck SC Judicial District Diane Schull, Grand Forks NEC Judicial District
Ashley Ensrud, Minot NC Judicial District Hernando Perez, Williston NW Judicial District Amanda Engelstad, Dickinson SW Judicial District Ashley Lies, New Rockford SE Judicial District Ashley Samuelson, Devils Lake NE Judicial District Brian Pappas, Grand Forks Dean, UND Law School Erica Hovey, Fargo Young Lawyers Section Tony J. Weiler, Bismarck Executive Director
SBAND EDITORIAL BOARD
Katie Winbauer, Bismarck Chair
Joshua Swanson, Fargo Scott Diamond, Fargo Hope Hogan, Bismarck
Denitsa Mavrova Heinrich, Grand Forks
Jennifer Cook, Grand Forks Elizabeth Kriz, Bismarck Kat McNamara, West Fargo Jessica Klein, Minot Elizabeth Alvine, Fargo
It is the policy of The Gavel to provide the magazine at no cost to current and former members of SBAND. To request a subscription, contact the SBAND office at 800-472-2685 or info @ sband. org.
THE
GAVEL
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 13-14 • Grand Forks 2026 Indigent Defense Seminar
May 19-20 • Bismarck 31:8 Project – 6th Annual Human Trafficking Summit
June 10-12 • Grand Forks 2026 SBAND Annual Meeting
State Bar Association of North Dakota
The Gavel is published by the State Bar Association of North Dakota
1661 Capitol Way, Suite 104LL Bismarck, ND 58501 info @ sband. org
Statements of opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, its officers, Board of Governors or staff. No endorsement of any product or service offered by any advertisement is intended or implied by publication in The Gavel. Contributions to The Gavel are welcome, but the right is reserved to select material to be published. All members of the Association receive The Gavel as part of their annual fees. Annual subscription price to nonmembers is $ 25. Third class postage paid at Bismarck, North Dakota 58502.
On the Cover: The historic Stutsman County Courthouse, Jamestown. Photo provided by North Dakota Tourism.
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