New SBAND President Charles DeMakis
Member Engagement and Communication
Keys to Future SBAND Success and Growth
Can you tell us about your background
and family?
I was born and raised in Minot. I received my
undergraduate degree from the University of North
Dakota (UND) in 2000 and my juris doctorate
with distinction from the UND School of Law in
2004. My wife, Ashley, and I have been married for
14 years and we met in high school in Minot. She
is a registered nurse and is also a UND graduate.
We have two children, Alexander, 11, and Caden, 8.
My family has deep roots in Minot with both my
parents’ families in business in Minot. Our family
has owned and operated North Hill Bowl for nearly
60 years. My wife and I are kept busy with our
boys who are active in hockey, baseball, football,
and soccer. In the summer, we spend almost every
weekend on Lake Sakakawea at Van Hook where
we fish, soak up the summer rays on the shore, play
on the lake, and just relax.
What type of law do you practice?
My practice is wide ranging. I focus primarily on
business and real estate transactions, corporation
creation, probate, estate planning, and oil and gas. I
mainly focus on transactional matters.
What has drawn you to your involvement
in SBAND? How have you stayed active
in SBAND?
The DeMakis family enjoying time at Lake Sakakawea.
6
THE GAVEL
My start with SBAND was with the Young Lawyers
Section. I was involved in helping to get the section
going and getting a member of the Young Lawyers
Section on the Board of Governors. I was the
president-elect of the section the first year and then
served as president the following year. I was actively
involved in the Ward County Bar Association
early in my career and served as president. I was
appointed to the Court Facilities Improvement
Committee as a young lawyer in the fall of 2010
to replace Judge Jim Hill. The appointment to that
committee gave me more interest in SBAND.
When the board position for the Northwest Judicial
District became available, I decided to take it on and