• When a judicial position opens, apply as soon as possible, and
ask your strongest supporters to serve as references by sending
letters of recommendation. Seek support from prominent
attorneys and judges, as well as leading members of the bar
association, law enforcement, business community, public service
organizations, government, and others.
• If given an interview, be prepared to explain why you want to
seek a judicial appointment and to answer questions asking what
else the interviewers should know about you. Use the interview
as an opportunity to highlight your strengths (while not being
pompous).
• Be prepared not to be selected the first time (and subsequent
times), and be ready to submit your application for judicial
positions numerous times during the course of your career. Do
not give up if you are not selected. After each application, ask to
meet with people who were involved in the selection process to
seek their advice about how to make your application stronger
the next time. Let them know you are still interested in applying
for future positions.
For tribal judicial positions:
• Tribal judges may either be appointed by tribal councils or be
elected.
• Tribal judgeships are not limited to tribal members. They are
frequently part-time positions and can provide wonderful
experience for attorneys. In addition to being inherently
rewarding, tribal judgeships can also be a marvelous springboard
for state or federal judicial positions.
• Each tribe is different and has distinct tribal codes, constitutions,
customs, and traditions. Be prepared to learn the law of the
particular tribe for which you serve as a judge.
Additional information for appointment to state judicial positions: 3
• Watch for openings to be announced on the North Dakota
Supreme Court website.
• Applicants need to file a completed Application Form and
Statement of Interests Form, along with a detailed resume and
a writing sample. Be thorough and concise. Eliminate all typos;
have others proofread your application materials before you
submit them.
• After the application deadline, SBAND conducts an electronic
judicial candidate survey of the applicants before the Judicial
Nominating Committee meets.
• Be sure to read the North Dakota Code of Judicial Conduct.
Additional information for federal judicial positions:4
• As soon as you learn of an