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