Miller’s capable counsel was depended on during
work to resolve a significant backlog of cases and
bring the lawyer disciplinary system into the current
technological age. She wore the many hats associated
with her position with ease and held the unique gift
of being able to deal with challenging situations
and people. She has been an ardent supporter and
protector of the legal profession in North Dakota,
through her consistent support of the UND School
of Law and her work in bar admissions and lawyer
discipline. At her retirement celebration, Chief
Justice VandeWalle himself credited his long tenure
and success to Miller’s service as Clerk.
Legislative Service Award
The Legislative Service Award recognizes the
legislative involvement of individuals who have
served at the state or federal level for several years,
have a commitment to serving their constituents
by actively participating in the legislative process,
and have balanced the principles of justice and
jurisprudence while serving the needs of the public.
This year’s recipient is
Representative Mark
Sanford of Grand Forks.
Sanford has served in the
North Dakota House of
Representatives since 2011,
and currently serves on the
Appropriations Committee
and Appropriations –
Government Operations
Division. He is also a member of the the Interim
Education Funding Committee, Interim Budget
Section, and chairman of the Interim Higher
Education Funding Committee. He previously
served on the Education Committee and
Government and Veterans affairs Committee from
2011 to 2013.
A Watford City native, Sanford attended Minot
State University, graduating with degrees in math
and history. He also earned a master’s in education
and doctorate in school leadership from the
University of North Dakota. He worked in Stanley
as a teacher, coach, high school principal, and
superintendent; in Minot as a high school principal;
and in Grand Forks as assistant superintendent and
superintendent. He served as the longest tenured
superintendent in the history of the Grand Forks
School District and helped guide the schools
through the 1997 flood and ensuing recovery
period.
Community Service Awards
This award recognizes outstanding volunteer service that has enhanced the quality
of life in the recipient’s community. The award is given to individuals who have
displayed adherence to the highest professional standards during their careers and
who have displayed a long-term commitment to volunteer service outside the legal
profession in their local community.
Nicholas Thornton
East Central Judicial District
Nicholas Thornton has been a member of SBAND since 2006,
and in the East Central Judicial District since 2007. He has a
reputation for providing excellent, zealous representation for his
clients, and also volunteers his time, efforts, and talents to the
community. Thornton currently serves as the chair of SBAND’s Joint Committee
on Attorney Standards and the Consumer Protection Committee. He serves on the
North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents Long Term Planning
Committee, the Competency and Criminal Responsibility Committee, and is the
editor-in-chief of the North Dakota Criminal Defense Practice Manual. Thornton
serves as the defense bar representative on Judge lrby's East Central Judicial District
Adult Drug Court team, and regularly gives CLE presentations to other lawyers. He
has provided pro bono legal services to veterans at the Veteran's Legal Clinic held
at the VA Hospital in conjunction with MAC-V. Thornton volunteers in school and
college classrooms around the area and has given speeches, presentations, and served
on discussion panels. He also serves on the board of an area non-profit wrestling club
and as a volunteer wrestling coach.
Matthew Sagsveen
South Central Judicial District
Matthew Sagsveen has been with the Office of Attorney
General since 2002, including most recently as the Director of
the Natural Resources and Indian Affairs Division, 2012-2016,
and the Solicitor General and Director of Civil Litigation,
Natural Resources, and Indian Affairs, 2016 to the present.
Sagsveen has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteer service outside
the legal profession in the community of Bismarck. He was elected to the Bismarck
School Board in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018; and has served as president
of the board for three separate terms. Sagsveen has shown tremendous leadership
as a board member and as a past president, through his participation, leadership,
and hard work. He also has been involved in other significant community service as
past member of the Missouri Valley YMCA Board of Directors and a past council
member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross. Additionally, he is a board member
of Bismarck Youth Baseball, and serves as a volunteer coach and umpire for youth
baseball.
Judge Daniel Narum
Southeast Judicial District
Judge Daniel Narum has served as a judge advocate for the
American Legion of North Dakota, as well as an American
Legion member that serves as Honor Guard for Veteran’s
funerals. He has been a volunteer hunter education instructor
18 THE GAVEL