WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AS SBAND PRESIDENT OVER THE NEXT YEAR?
I want to assist in making measurable progress toward the two strategic planning goals identified by the board of governors in 2025: 1) to expand access to justice; and 2) promote mental health and well-being for SBAND’ s members. My efforts will focus on collaborating with UND Law School to promote the profession to prospective law students, collaborate with Legal Services of North Dakota on promoting access to justice, and working closely with our executive director to promote and improve our Lawyers Assistance Program.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU SEE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN GENERAL AND IN NORTH DAKOTA?
Two challenges we face in North Dakota are shared by nearly every other state: 1) The increase in“ legal deserts,” or vast areas with no attorneys( with urban states like New York, Washington, and Arizona having initiatives to address their challenges); and 2) Rapid demographic changes within the profession caused by the enormous number of baby boomers retiring, with my Gen X contemporaries slowing down and / or retiring early, and a lack of millennial / Gen Z attorneys in place to replace them.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR LAW STUDENTS AND YOUNG LAWYERS AS THEY ENTER THE LAW PROFESSION?
My advice is to learn to use the telephone. Yes, it’ s antiquated technology, but so much context and connection is lost when relying solely on emails, texts, and chats. I’ m a huge fan of Zoom and Teams, but not for mentoring and collaborating with colleagues- there is no substitute for meeting face-to-face.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE OUTSIDE OF YOUR LEGAL CAREER?
Much of my community service has followed my children- from serving on the Fargo North High School booster board, the Spartan Youth Basketball Association, and the North High School baseball board. I coached all three of my kids in their activities when they were young, before each rapidly moved past my level of coaching ability! I’ ve also been a supporter of our local United Way, serving on its Community Impact Review Panel the past two years. My wife and I are supporters of the UND School of Law and School of Nursing, and have also been active with our local church.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
Since I’ m too old to play basketball or baseball, I like to play pickleball, and I occasionally golf despite being truly horrible at it. I’ m a huge baseball nerd, and love hitting Twins games in the summer, while also slowly continuing to check Major League Baseball stadiums off my list of visits( I checked off Pittsburgh in May). We also have had season tickets for UND hockey for the past 28 years and even get up to Winnipeg each winter for a Jets game or two. I’ m lucky my wife and I share many similar favorite bands in various genres( from alternative to Americana to yacht rock to hair metal) and we enjoy going to concerts. On a more day-to-day basis, I savor my rowing machine and coffee in the morning( not at the same time), watching TV shows and movies with my wife in the evening, and reading a wide variety of books.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
SBAND is a very strong organization that has benefited immensely from its experienced and committed executive director, staff, and a long line of talented bar leaders … but there is always room for improvement. We need to be responsive to our members. I hope to be a resource for our North Dakota attorneys and welcome their input.
Rob and Julie Manly at Pittsburgh’ s PNC Park baseball stadium in May.
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