SBAND PRESIDENT
WILL TRAVEL
SBAND PRESIDENT
HAVE GAVEL,
WILL TRAVEL
DARCIE EINARSON SBAND President
When new judges are sworn in, it has been the tradition of the State Bar Association of North Dakota( SBAND) to present them with a gavel on behalf of our association. As president, I’ m generally offered the opportunity of presenting the gavel, and I’ m so honored to do so on behalf of our membership. My most recent appearance was in my hometown with the Investiture of Hon. Barbara L. Whelan.
We closed the office locations in Cavalier and Grafton, and my staff got there bright and early to stake their seats in the Walsh County District Courtroom. My adult children, both eager to see what goes on, tagged along. My son, especially excited to meet Governor Burgum, wore a suit and tie.
The Courtroom, probably one of the largest I’ ve seen in North Dakota, was bulging with dignitaries, friends, and family of the judge, and many members of the community. They stood respectfully, while the Supreme Court, the other judges in attendance, and the Governor proceeded to their seats. With hands to hearts, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited to music, in a very moving way.
As lawyers, we regularly see how justice is administered. We have a front row seat and access to judges regularly. These judges are our members, our colleagues, and many times our friends. I like that these investitures are a public event and not just for the bench and bar. I was proud of my fellow lawyers and the public ceremony that we were a part of, which many members of the public attended.
I also like the idea of giving our new judge a gavel from the lawyers who make up SBAND. It represents our respect for the new judge, and the judge’ s transition from a practicing lawyer to the bench. It also signifies the respect for the judge’ s authority over the courtroom and over those who appear before her.
The increase in these presentations has been striking. There was an average of two or less investitures per year in North Dakota prior to 2010. Since that time, 27 District Court Judges and three Supreme Court Justices have been appointed. Governor Burgum has already appointed six District Court Judges and one Supreme Court Justice during his tenure.
At SBAND, we could probably order gavels in bulk, and I sure hope we don’ t run out of lawyers!
Each time an opening occurs, I wonder, who will apply? Given the sacrifice our judges make, will there be takers for this important and solemn role? And then they roll in … applications from across the state and from lawyers with diverse backgrounds and experience, knowing they are subjecting themselves to a public announcement, the judicial survey of their peer polls, the scrutiny of the nominating committee, and the worry their clients and staff might abandon them while they await the process of learning whether the robe will be theirs.
Whether you were selected for the judgeship, know we at SBAND thank all of you who have been brave enough to go through the process. We have maintained an excellent judiciary in this state, because of you. I look forward to handing out more gavels before my term ends.
4 THE GAVEL