First Gerald W. VandeWalle Medal Awarded
Retired Supreme Court Justice Dale Sandstrom received SBAND’s
first Gerald W. VandeWalle medal, an award that recognizes
individuals for their significant dedication and contributions to the
administration of justice or the improvement of the judicial system.
Sandstrom served a lengthy career in elected office in North Dakota.
Beginning on the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the early
1980s and ending on the bench of the state’s Supreme Court in
2016, his dedication to the state spanned more than 33 years.
Sandstrom graduated with his juris doctor in 1975 from the
University of North Dakota School of Law and began as assistant
attorney general under Attorney General Allen I. Olson, heading
the Consumer Fraud and Antitrust Division. In 1981, Governor
Olson named him State Securities Commissioner. In 1983, he was
appointed to the PSC to fill a vacancy and was re-elected in 1984
and 1990. In 1992, he was elected to the Supreme Court and was
re-elected to 10-year terms in 1996 and 2006. He retired from the
Supreme Court on Dec. 31, 2016.
Left to right, Charles DeMakis, Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle, Retired
Justice Dale Sandstrom, Darcie Einarson, and Zack Pelham.
With a focus on education, technology, and service, Sandstrom spent
much of his career working to make the Court more accessible and
better understood by the public. He was responsible for developing the
Court’s website, as well as many of its resources, which created an ease
of access to court information for members of the bar and the public.
Sandstrom was nominated for this award by Justice Jerod Tufte, who
now serves as chair of the Court Technology Committee. “Only now
do I fully appreciate the countless hours and thoughtful leadership
provided by Justice Sandstrom over the years. Although many
remember the birthday emails from Justice Sandstrom, those were
just a hint at the incredible automation system built and maintained
by Justice Sandstrom behind the scenes to keep the court’s web
presence up-to-date with so much information of value to lawyers,
the press, and the general public,” says Tufte.
Wick Corwin
A uniquely qualified neutral:
•
•
•
•
•
Former trial judge and civil litigator
40 years of experience
Persistent, empathetic and insightful
Extensive ADR training
Specializing in the mediation
and arbitration of civil disputes
“Superb job . . . a great service to the parties.”
Steve Rufer - Fergus Falls, MN
“Fine work.”
Tom Traynor - Devils Lake, ND
701-541-0965
[email protected]
SUMMER 2018
9