UPCOMING EVENTS
CONTENTS
FEATURES
Chief Justice Fair McEvers: Building on the Court’ s Strong Foundation........................ 6 The Passing of the Gavel.................................................................................................. 9 Closing the Record: A Look Back at Justice Crothers’ Distinguished Career................ 12 ALPS: What Lawyers Need to Know About Vishing Scams........................................ 16 Intellectual Property 101: An Overview of IP Concepts................................................ 18 Remembering a Maestro: Tom Tuntland’ s Legacy in Law............................................. 20
DEPARTMENTS
Winter 2026 VOLUME 73, NUMBER 1
SBAND President............................................................................................................ 4
North Dakota Supreme Court Highlights by Scott O. Diamond, Ian McLean, and Joshua A. Swanson............................................... 23
Integrating AI into Legal Education Instruction by Bradley Myers................................ 26 Consolidation of Civil Protection Orders by Andy Forward........................................... 28 Take the Shot by Zack Pelham........................................................................................ 29 LSND: Keeping Class Action Dollars in North Dakota................................................ 30 The Legal Writing Corner by Jennifer Cook and Denitsa Mavrova Heinrich................... 32 Young Lawyer Showcase................................................................................................ 34 Bar Foundation Update.................................................................................................. 36 Discipline....................................................................................................................... 38
State Bar Association of North Dakota Officers
Board of Governors
Debra Hoffarth, Minot President Rob Manly, Fargo President-Elect Hon. Ted Sandberg, Grand Forks Immediate Past-President Paul Myerchin, Bismarck Secretary-Treasurer Zack Pelham, Bismarck ABA Delegate Robin Johansen, Fargo EC Judicial District Ben Sand, Bismarck SC Judicial District Diane Schull, Grand Forks NEC Judicial District
Ashley Ensrud, Minot NC Judicial District Hernando Perez, Williston NW Judicial District Amanda Engelstad, Dickinson SW Judicial District Ashley Lies, New Rockford SE Judicial District Ashley Samuelson, Devils Lake NE Judicial District Brian Pappas, Grand Forks Dean, UND Law School Erica Hovey, Fargo Young Lawyers Section Tony J. Weiler, Bismarck Executive Director
SBAND EDITORIAL BOARD
Katie Winbauer, Bismarck Chair
Joshua Swanson, Fargo Scott Diamond, Fargo Hope Hogan, Bismarck
Denitsa Mavrova Heinrich, Grand Forks
Jennifer Cook, Grand Forks Elizabeth Kriz, Bismarck Kat McNamara, West Fargo Jessica Klein, Minot Elizabeth Alvine, Fargo
It is the policy of The Gavel to provide the magazine at no cost to current and former members of SBAND. To request a subscription, contact the SBAND office at 800-472-2685 or info @ sband. org.
THE
GAVEL
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb. 25 SBAND Free Ethics Webinar Mindful Moments: Ethically Managing Stress
March 4 SBAND Free Ethics Webinar From Isolation to Connection
June 10-12 • Grand Forks 2026 SBAND Annual Meeting
State Bar Association of North Dakota
The Gavel is published by the State Bar Association of North Dakota
1661 Capitol Way, Suite 104LL Bismarck, ND 58501 info @ sband. org
Statements of opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, its officers, Board of Governors or staff. No endorsement of any product or service offered by any advertisement is intended or implied by publication in The Gavel. Contributions to The Gavel are welcome, but the right is reserved to select material to be published. All members of the Association receive The Gavel as part of their annual fees. Annual subscription price to nonmembers is $ 25. Third class postage paid at Bismarck, North Dakota 58502.
On the Cover: Chief Justice Lisa K. Fair McEvers at the Passing of the Gavel ceremony on Jan. 6. Photo provided by Poppy Mills / State of North Dakota
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