DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
The Distinguished Service Award , created in 1980 by the Board of Governors , is the most prestigious award given by the association . The award recognizes the efforts of its most outstanding members and honors a member of the profession who has provided outstanding service to the state and legal community over an extended career . The Distinguished Service Award plaque , which hangs outside the courtroom of the North Dakota Supreme Court , is intended to permanently honor recipients and remind us of their dedication and work .
This year ’ s award was presented to Judge Gail Hagerty , whose drive and work ethic led to many achievements in the judicial system under her leadership as a state ’ s attorney , district judge , presiding district judge , SBAND president , and Uniform Laws commissioner .
Judge Hagerty graduated from the University of North Dakota ( UND ) and the UND School of Law . She was an assistant Attorney General from 1978-80 , and an assistant Burleigh County state ’ s attorney from 1980-82 , when she ran for the Office of Burleigh County States Attorney . Judge Hagerty won the position after a hard-fought election and served in that role until 1987 , when she ran for a position as a judge of the Burleigh County Court in another contested election . In 1995 , she became a district judge for the South Central Judicial District , serving 16 years as presiding judge prior to her retirement in 2020 .
She chaired the North Dakota Judicial Conference during her tenure as district judge , and served as chair of the North Dakota Judges ’ Association , chair of the North Dakota Legal Counsel for Indigents Commission , and is a past president of the North Dakota State ’ s Attorney Association . She also served a term as president of the Big Muddy Bar Association .
Judge Hagerty served in many roles with the State Bar Association of North Dakota ( SBAND ). She served on and was chair of the North Dakota Pattern Jury Instruction Commission , the North Dakota Joint Procedures Committee , and on the Judicial Nominating Committee . Judge Hagerty served as SBAND President at a time when she also fulfilled her responsibilities as a trial judge and presiding judge . During her tenure as SBAND President , she energized the Legislative Committee and was a driving force in monitoring legislation that specifically dealt with the legal profession and the court system .
She presently sits as a commissioner on the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and was appointed to serve as a division chair in 2009 , 2011 , and 2013 . She has served on drafting committees for the Uniform Parentage Act , Uniform Anatomical Gift Act , Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act , Uniform Interstate Family Support Act , Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act , and Deployed
Judge Gail Hagerty , second from left , was presented the 2021 Distinguished Service Award .
Parents Visitation and Custody Act . She is also a member of the Committee on Liaison with American Indian Tribes and Nations .
She has regularly appeared before legislative committees regarding Uniform bills and legislation impacting the administration of justice and the court system . She is incredibly skilled at dealing with the legislative process . Her dedication and skill was the driving force for legislation that added a 10th judge in the South Central Judicial District . This would not have happened without her efforts , and it has enhanced the ability of this district to serve the people of North Dakota in the judicial process .
During her tenure as presiding judge , and prior , she was a force in the creation and operation of the Drug Court Program in the South Central Judicial District . Judge Hagerty was also the creator of the “ People ’ s Law School Program ” in the South Central Judicial District and was the vision behind programing to train young new lawyers in this district on how to try a lawsuit . She was a strong advocate and innovator in the creation and eventual establishment of the joint agreement that led to the Burleigh-Morton Detention Center .
While president of the Big Muddy Bar Association , she energized the group ’ s participation in the Trinity Lutheran Church Banquet Program in Bismarck . She did not just organize the effort , she participated in everything from buying groceries , cooking , and serving meals . She has engaged the local bar association and the judges of this district to be active participants still today .
Judge Hagerty ’ s life after her judgeship did not result in her “ retiring .” She actively pursued a Theological Education for Emerging Ministries Program and is now an ordained minister . She serves as pastor at the Heart River Lutheran Church in Mandan , continuing her service to the people of North Dakota .
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