“ Unser Vater im dem Himmel , dein Name werde geheiligt . Dein Reich komme . . .”
I looked up . What is that ? What are they doing ? And then I saw that Al had taken hold of Matthias ’ hands .
“. . . ein Wille geschehe , auf Erden , wie im Himmel .”
What is that ? What are they saying ? Oh my God , that ’ s the Lord ’ s Prayer . They are reciting the Lord ’ s Prayer . . . in German .
I was trapped and reached for the “ Call ” button . “ Unser täglich Brot gib uns heute . . .”
Now , nearing panic mode , I leaned with my elbow on the “ Call ” button . And I thought , “ This is worse than being locked up .” 1
I was stunned . This was a lawyer , meeting with his client , and they were praying . I really started leaning into the “ Call ” button .
“ Please , please , do not leave me in here .”
And then , slowly and deliberately , a hand reached out to me . It was Al ’ s hand . He was extending his hand in prayer . And then even more slowly , without missing a beat , he whispered , “ Tom , it wouldn ’ t hurt you to join in .”
I backed away from the “ Call ” button and I took his hand . I was too ashamed not to .
Senator Conrad was always punctual . Al , not so much . Senator Conrad and I were sitting at our table . Al was late . The Symphony Board meeting had run late . We looked up as Al came in and watched him greet every person in the restaurant .
Senator Conrad chuckled and said , “ Tom , do you know why Al Wolf was never governor of North Dakota ?”
“ No . Why ?” “ Because he was too busy .”
Al is first on the list of licensed lawyers in North Dakota for a reason . He has earned it .
1This language has been tempered to allow for publication in The Gavel .
Thomas A . Dickson has extensive experience in a variety of areas including criminal defense , plaintiff ' s personal injury , and oil field personal injury . He has tried more than 100 cases to jury verdict in North Dakota courts over the past 30 years . Since 1992 , Dickson has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America . He has also been listed in Super Lawyers . In 2017 , he received the Light of Justice Award from the NDAJ . Dickson is a member or officer in many organizations and is also active in the community .
“ And forgive us our trespasses , As we forgive those who trespass against us . And lead us not into temptation , But deliver us from evil .”
“ Amen .”
In a place where darkness covers all , men like Al Wolf , a man of deep faith , can always see the light .
Matthias Zimprich was later acquitted and returned home to live with his two sons .
Al Wolf is the senior lawyer in North Dakota . He is first on our register of licensed attorneys . He has practiced law for 63 years . He comes from a time when lawyers were active in every civic endeavor . They were involved in our churches , in our political system , in our professional organizations , and in our community . Al was involved in everything , like the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Board of Directors , on which he has served for many years .
One evening , Senator Kent Conrad and I were meeting Al for dinner in Bismarck .
WINTER 2021 13