New SBAND President Hon . Doug Bahr :
Promoting and growing SBAND ' s programs and benefits
for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints . After my mission and before graduating from BYU , I married my wife , Laura . I graduated from BYU with a bachelor of science degree in family science ( child development and family relations ) and then attended law school at the University of South Dakota . After law school I clerked for Justice Jerry L . Larson of the Iowa Supreme Court .
n Can you tell me about your background and family ? I was born in Corvallis , Ore . I was the middle of five children .
My father was in the Air Force , and my mother was a homemaker . My father eventually became a special agent for the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations ( OSI ). Because of my father ’ s Air Force training , before I was one year old , I lived in Corvallis , Ore .; Jeanerette , La .; Noblesville , Ind .; and Falls Church , Va ., where we lived until I was six years old . Prior to my graduation from high school , we also lived in Prattville , Ala .; Luzon Island , Philippines ; Des Moines , Iowa ; Offutt Air Force Base , Neb .; and Decatur , Ga . I believe living in many different places helped me to appreciate and accept different cultures and attitudes .
I attended Brigham Young University ( BYU ). After my first year at BYU , I served a two-year volunteer mission
Laura and I have been married for 35 years . We have six children and two grandchildren . Our children and their families live in Fargo ; Fort Worth , Texas ; Gilbert , Ariz .; Duluth , Minn .; and Provo , Utah . Our two children who live in Provo are attending BYU , with one graduating this fall . Laura works part-time at Horizon Middle School .
n What inspired you to pursue a career in law ? My initial plan was to obtain a master ’ s degree in marriage and family therapy and become a therapist . However , as an undergraduate I took courses in family law and American government . I found the law aspects of those courses so interesting I decided to go to law school instead of becoming a therapist .
n What type of law did you practice ? My first 25 years of practice was at the North Dakota Office of the Attorney General . I served nine years as an Assistant Attorney General and 16 years as the North Dakota Solicitor General . I practiced administrative , trial , and appellate litigation in state and federal court .
During my state government practice , I had the opportunity to handle a wide variety of cases , including tort and personal injury cases , civil rights actions , employment law matters , construction cases , contract disputes , federal and state constitutional claims , prison litigation , and professional licensure and other administrative cases . I also testified before legislative committees , drafted and reviewed legislation and administrative rules , and drafted and reviewed attorney general opinions .
From 2008 through 2016 , I was an adjunct faculty member at Bismarck State College . I taught courses in business law and state and local government .
After the Office of Attorney General , I went to private practice where my practice areas included commercial litigation , construction law , insurance coverage , tort and personal injury , employment law , and professional licensure .
I have been a district court judge since September 2018 .
n What inspired you to pursue a judgeship ? As far back as law school I thought I would enjoy being a judge one day . I enjoy legal analysis and working with people . I also respect the judicial system and
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