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 , which need not be given every year , 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 the state of North Dakota . The president of the association shall consult with the Chief Justice or members of the judicial branch to identify worthy recipients of this award .
The 2023 recipient of the Gerald W . VandeWalle Medal is the Honorable Daniel L . Hovland . On June 26 , 2002 , Judge Hovland was nominated to the federal bench by President George W . Bush . He was confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in on November 26 , 2002 , immediately becoming the chief judge of the North Dakota District . He has served the federal district since that time and , for nearly two calendar years , from October 13 , 2017 , to August 6 , 2019 , served as the only Article III Judge for the District of North Dakota , assuming all responsibilities for the caseload of the district , in addition to the responsibilities of chief judge .
Judge Hovland grew up in Moorhead , Minn ., and received his bachelor of arts degree from Concordia College in May 1976 . He then attended the University of North Dakota ( UND ) School of Law and graduated with distinction in 1979 . Following his law school graduation , Judge Hovland served for one year as a law clerk to North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Ralph J . Erickstad .
Judge Hovland pictured with both current and former law clerks .
Judge Daniel L . Hovland pictured with the award ' s namesake , Gerald W . VandeWalle .
He then took a position as an assistant attorney general in the North Dakota Office of the Attorney General . He worked in the civil and criminal divisions from August 1980 to July 1983 and was director of the Consumer Fraud Division . He was the recipient of the Burgum-Johanson Lawyer of the Year Award for the State of North Dakota in 1982 .
Judge Hovland was a partner with the law firm of Fleck Mather & Strutz , Ltd ., in Bismarck from 1983-1994 . In April 1994 , he joined the law firm of Smith Bakke Hovland & Oppegard , P . C ., as a partner and trial attorney . He was also employed as an administrative law judge for the state of North Dakota from 1994-2002 . He served on the Bismarck Park Board from 1994 to 2006 ; the Missouri Valley YMCA Board of Directors from 1992 to 1998 ; and the North Dakota Parole Board from 1999 to 2002 .
Following his nomination and appointment as a federal district court judge , Judge Hovland served as chief judge from 2002- 2009 and again from 2016-2019 . On November 10 , 2019 , Judge Hovland took senior status , but continues to carry a full caseload .
Judge Hovland is known for his even-tempered , congenial disposition , both by litigants and coworkers . He is also described as astute , considerate , humble , and dedicated in his efforts , throughout his career , to enhance the administration of justice in both North Dakota and the United States .
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