Gerald W. VandeWalle Medal
The Gerald W. VandeWalle Medal was created by the Board of Governors in 2017
to recognize individuals for their significant dedication and contributions to the
administration of justice or the improvement of the judicial system. The award
honors an individual or individuals who bring credit to the State of North Dakota
and its judicial system or to the administration of justice in North Dakota or the
United States. The recipient need not be an attorney, but should be a current or
former resident of North Dakota. The president of the association consults with the
Chief Justice or members of the judicial branch to identify worthy recipients of this
award, and the award is presented at the annual meeting of the association.
The Honorable Charles S. Miller was awarded the prestigious Gerald W.
VandeWalle Medal for 2019. Judge Miller recently retired from the position of
United States Magistrate for the District of North Dakota and was an exemplary
judicial officer for the federal courts.
The Gerald W. VandeWalle Medal is dedicated to a man with profound and
unquestioned character. Judge Miller understood the immense responsibility he
undertook when he accepted the role of United States Magistrate and he was loyal
to a fault to the very best virtues of being a judge. His steady hand at the role of
a judge, his dedication to the Rule of Law, and his profound respect for both the
practitioner and the public who appeared before him made him an outstanding
candidate for this award. His contribution to the system of justice was without
question incredible and profound.
The Honorable Charles S. Miller, center, with Chief Justice
Gerald W. VandeWalle, left, and Zack Pelham, right.
Judge Miller epitomized the concept of judicial temperament and has been a consummate professional. He has worked hard to enhance the role
of the judiciary in the federal system and has developed a consistent judicial persona of patience, open mindedness, and courtesy to the public
and the practitioner.
Judge Miller was the same person on the bench as he was in private practice. He is and always was a "lawyer's" judge. He did not change his
style of practice or his incredible work ethic when he moved into his judicial role. The qualities of fairness, scholarly application of the law,
dignity and justice for all were constantly manifested in his judicial practice regardless of station in life of those who appeared before him, the
type of case, and whether a party was represented by counsel or not. He was always a student of the law who never stopped learning. His ethical
standard was beyond reproach.
Justice for All Awards
Levi Andrist, left, Zack Pelham, center, and Robert Keogh, right.
10
THE GAVEL
Justice for All Award lawyers provided 50 or more hours of pro
bono service in 2018. Those recognized with certificates at the
2019 Awards Luncheon are as follows:
Diane Schull, East Grand Forks, Minn.
Murray Sagsveen, Bismarck, N.D.
Robert Keogh, Dickinson, N.D.
Tracy Laaveg, Park River, N.D.
Denise C. Hays-Johnson, Minot, N.D.
Amie Penny Sayler, Minneapolis, Minn.
Michael Nobis, George, Utah
Alisha Ankers, Fargo, N.D.
Levi Andrist, Bismarck, N.D.
Elizabeth Brainard, Moorhead, Minn.
219.8
113
99.4
70.65
68
60
55
54
54
54
hours
hours
hours
hours
hours
hours
hours
hours
hours
hours