THE BERYL LEVINE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
THE BERYL LEVINE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Beryl Levine Achievement Award was established in 2024 by SBAND’ s Women Lawyers Section. The award recognizes and honors individuals for their exceptional dedication and contributions to promoting gender diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. The award is presented during the SBAND Annual Meeting but need not be given every year. The 2025 recipient of the Beryl Levine Achievement Award is Justice Mary Maring.
The award was presented by Ana Neir, president of the Women Lawyers Section, and below are her remarks:
This award celebrates individuals who champion gender diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. It is named after Justice Beryl J. Levine, the first woman on the North Dakota Supreme Court, whose legacy of justice and gender fairness continues to inspire us.
Today, we honor another trailblazer – Justice Mary Maring – the second woman to serve on our state’ s highest court. Of the 13 nominations we received, five were for her. Justice Maring has been a pioneer for women in law, founding her own firm, mentoring countless attorneys, and advocating for work-life balance long before it was common.
Justice Maring was the second woman to serve on the North Dakota Supreme Court, and like Justice Levine, she brought not only her intellect and integrity to the bench, but also her courage, compassion, and vision.
She was a pioneer among female trial attorneys in North Dakota, opening her own firm in 1991 when few women were doing so. She brought a new model of legal practice – one rooted in deep client connection, focused expertise, and a culture of balance and respect. Her law firm, which is now Maring Williams Law Office, was founded with a progressive vision: that lawyers could have fulfilling careers while also embracing their roles as parents and partners.
Because of her, many of us no longer feel we must choose between being a good lawyer and a good parent – we can be both. women not only deserve a seat at the table, but their presence strengthens the entire institution. Her leadership has shaped policy, improved access to justice, and expanded opportunities for others.
And she has done all of this while lifting others up – reaching out to women, encouraging them to run for office, sharing her wisdom, and opening doors that once seemed closed.
Justice Maring, your career has embodied the very spirit of this award. You have not only walked the path that Justice Levine helped to forge – you have widened it, illuminated it, and made it more accessible for those who come after you.
Justice Mary Maring shared her remarks following the presentation of the award:
“ This honor is very special to me because I knew Beryl Levine when we were in law school and throughout her career. I always admired her intellect, professionalism, and her steadfast commitment to mentoring and promoting women attorneys.
In 1976, when I started to practice law in Fargo / Moorhead, there were only a handful of women attorneys. Beryl was one of them. We started a Saturday morning get together to share experiences. Beryl was always our mentor.
Justice Mary Maring, right, receives the Beryl Levine Achievement Award from Women Lawyers Section President Ana Neir.
In January 1996, Justice Levine announced her retirement from the North Dakota Supreme Court. She encouraged my application and wrote a letter to the editor of the Fargo Forum supporting my nomination.
I will always be grateful for her leadership and have done my best to encourage and support women. Many thanks to the Women Lawyers Section for this recognition. Many thanks to my friends, my former law clerks, and my husband, David, for joining me today.
Finally, I beseech you to stand up for lawyers, law firms, and an independent judiciary. Thank you.”
When she transitioned to the Supreme Court, she continued to lead with grace and conviction, mentoring law clerks – many of them women – and showing by example that
Justice Maring ' s award was celebrated by many at its presentation at the annual meeting.
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