UPCOMING EVENTS
CONTENTS
FEATURES
New SBAND President Rob Manley............................................................................... 6 Annual Meeting Highlights............................................................................................ 8 ALPS: How to Minimize the Risk of Becoming a Victim of Wire Fraud..................... 16 Judge Selection Plays Key Role in Strength of State’ s Judicial System........................... 18 North Dakota Adopts Uniform Receivership Law........................................................ 20 Statewide Essay Contest Held to Celebrate Nation’ s 250th Celebration....................... 22 A Photograph Across Generations................................................................................. 26
DEPARTMENTS
Summer 2026 VOLUME 73, NUMBER 3
SBAND President............................................................................................................ 4 SBAND Executive Director............................................................................................. 5
North Dakota Supreme Court Highlights by Ian McLean and Joshua A. Swanson............................................................................. 24
Municipal Courts are Courts of Record as of July 1 by Andy Forward........................... 28 Strike Three: Attitude Counts by Zack Pelham................................................................ 29
LSND: Celebrating CLE Day Presenters and Looking Ahead to the Pro Bono Summit...................................................................... 30
The Legal Writing Corner by Jennifer Cook and Denitsa Mavrova Heinrich................... 32 Get to Know Your Board Member................................................................................. 33 Young Lawyer Showcase................................................................................................ 34 Bar Foundation Update.................................................................................................. 36
State Bar Association of North Dakota Officers
Board of Governors
Rob Manly, Fargo President Hernando Perez, Williston President-Elect Debra Hoffarth, Minot Immediate Past-President Paul Myerchin, Bismarck Secretary-Treasurer Zack Pelham, Bismarck ABA Delegate Robin Johansen, Fargo EC Judicial District Ben Sand, Bismarck SC Judicial District Diane Schull, Grand Forks NEC Judicial District
Ashley Ensrud, Minot NC Judicial District Ty Skarda, Watford City NW Judicial District Amanda Engelstad, Dickinson SW Judicial District Kara Brinster, Jamestown SE Judicial District Ashley Samuelson, Devils Lake NE Judicial District Brian Pappas, Grand Forks Dean, UND Law School Erica Hovey, Fargo Young Lawyers Section Tony J. Weiler, Bismarck Executive Director
SBAND EDITORIAL BOARD
Katie Winbauer, Bismarck Chair
Joshua Swanson, Fargo Hon. Scott Diamond, Fargo Hope Hogan, Bismarck
Denitsa Mavrova Heinrich, Grand Forks
Jennifer Cook, Grand Forks Elizabeth Kriz, Bismarck Kat McNamara, West Fargo Jessica Klein, Minot Elizabeth Alvine, Fargo
It is the policy of The Gavel to provide the magazine at no cost to current and former members of SBAND. To request a subscription, contact the SBAND office at 800-472-2685 or info @ sband. org.
THE
GAVEL
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 16 • Free Ethics Webinar The Tech-Enabled Firm: Implementing Practice Management and AI Tools
Oct. 1-2 • Fargo Family Law Seminar
Dec. 3-4 • Fargo Real Property, Probate & Trust Seminar
STATE BAR ASSOCIATION OF NORTH DAKOTA
The Gavel is published by the State Bar Association of North Dakota
1661 Capitol Way, Suite 104LL Bismarck, ND 58501 info @ sband. org
Statements of opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, its officers, Board of Governors or staff. No endorsement of any product or service offered by any advertisement is intended or implied by publication in The Gavel. Contributions to The Gavel are welcome, but the right is reserved to select material to be published. All members of the Association receive The Gavel as part of their annual fees. Annual subscription price to nonmembers is $ 25. Third class postage paid at Bismarck, North Dakota 58502.
On the Cover: New SBAND President Rob Manly and Family
SUMMER 2026 3