STATE BAR ASSOCIATION OF NORTH DAKOTA ANNUAL MEETING
126 th Wrap-Up
By Tony Weiler, SBAND Executive Director
The State Bar Association of North Dakota( SBAND) held its 126th Annual Meeting June 11-13, with lawyers and judges from across the state gathering to enjoy education, social activities, and fellowship. More than 270 lawyers, guests, speakers, and partners attended the event and joined SBAND leadership and staff, and many volunteers. Attendees gathered at the Bismarck Event Center, and the Annual Bar Foundation fundraiser was held in the atrium of the North Dakota Heritage Center on Thursday of the meeting.
On Wednesday, meetings were held by the board of governors of the association and the foundation, the disciplinary board, and title standards. The Women Lawyers Section provided programming in the afternoon, and the annual golf tournament and trap, skeet, and 5-stand shooting event remained popular kickoff events.
The meeting’ s opening plenary session by Professor David Grenardo from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, titled“ Raising the Bar for Lawyer Conduct: The Case for Mandatory Civility,” was very engaging in making a case for those in attendance to be subject to mandatory civility.
The meeting’ s format featured several different tracks, with the opportunity to hear a speaker at different times during the day. The speakers covered a wide range of topics. Dean Vikram David Amar presented“ U. S. Supreme Court Preview: What to Expect and What to Look For,” as well as another session on the“ Major Cases from the Last Term and So Far This Term.” SBAND member and long-time Bismarck attorney
Tom Dickson presented“ Before You Get to Heaven... A Primer for Lawyers.” Attendees also heard from Jon M. Tynjala, the new director of Minnesota’ s Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers on“ Understanding Stress, Trauma, Mental Health, and Lawyer Addiction in the Legal Profession;” media specialist Karen Korr spoke about“ Inside the Headlines – Media Relations for Lawyers;” and the Women Lawyers Section hosted a CLE on“ Running for Office” that included Kylie Overson, Judge Jason Hammes, Denise Kolpack, Rep. Emily O’ Brien, and Erin Oban. North Dakota National Guard Col. Michelle Hagel spoke about“ Service Members in Civilian Court,” and a panel, including Judge Robin Schmidt, Lawyer Assistance Program Chair Diane Wehrman, and Tony Weiler, discussed“ When Happy Hour is no Longer Happy and How SBAND is Helping.”
SBAND held its general assembly and business meeting during the Friday breakfast, hearing from the new president of the bar and SBAND executive director, an update on SBAND’ s finances, and a report from the North Dakota Bar Foundation.
Attendees heard a message from American Bar Association( ABA) President Bill Bay, who talked about the rule of law and the complicated and difficult year at the ABA. The first Friday morning plenary was the Mart Vogel Lecture on Professionalism and Ethics moderated by UND School of Law Professor Michael McGinniss, and a lecture by former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice G. Barry Anderson titled“ Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law: Where We’ ve Been, Where We’ re Going, and What To Do About It.” The last plenary was presented by the Honorable P. Casey Pitts, a Fargo native and current United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of California, titled“ Lessons Learned from a Life in Federal
Court.” North Dakota Federal District Judge Dan Traynor then engaged in a discussion with Judge Pitts regarding all things Federal Courts.
SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Attendees were treated to an opening night social at the Radisson Hotel. Those in attendance listened to background music by Bill Franke, and many took in the hospitality room hosted by president-elect candidate Rob Manly and treasurer candidates Paul Myerchin and Mark Larson.
The North Dakota Bar Foundation silent auction and reception was held at the Bismarck Heritage Center atrium and coordinated by SBAND team members Carrie Molander and Jennifer Hauge, along with the assistance of Margi Lee and Taylor Olson. The auction had many prizes donated by generous sponsors, and the foundation’ s fundraiser was a tremendous success.
NEW SBAND OFFICERS ELECTED
Minot attorney Debra Hoffarth became SBAND President and Judge Ted Sandberg immediate past-president. Fargo attorney Rob Manly was elected president-elect, while Paul Myerchin was elected over Mark Larson as SBAND’ s treasurer. This was the first contested election in memory at SBAND, and we want to congratulate both Myerchin and Larson on a wellrun campaign. Two new SBAND board members were also seated with Robin Johansen now representing the East Central District and Ben Sand representing the South Central District.
Professor David Grenardo spoke to attendees at the annual meeting ' s opening plenary session.
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