The Passing of the Gavel
The Passing of the Gavel is a formal ceremony intended to memorialize the transition of Chief Justices. The passing the gavel from Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen to Chief Justice Lisa K. Fair McEvers was held on Jan. 6 in the chambers of the North Dakota Supreme Court. Speakers at the passing of the gavel ceremony for Chief Justice Fair McEvers included justices Daniel J. Crothers and Jensen, executive director of the North Dakota Association of Counties Aaron Birst, SBAND President Debra L. Hoffarth, Judge Susan L. Bailey, and Donald S. Fair, Esq.
Below are remarks shared by Chief Justice Fair McEvers during the ceremony.
I think it is fitting that this ceremony is being held, as it was in 2019, on January 6th. Today is the 12th day of Christmas, the Epiphany, the day the wise men came bearing gifts. The journey of the Magi is a reminder that none of us travels alone, and we all come bearing different gifts that are to be shared. We are called to share these gifts, and mine, no doubt, will be different than Chief Justice Jensen’ s. But neither of us is diminished by being different or doing things differently. Some things in the judiciary will remain the same, and some things will change. And we must be open to change.
Photo provided by North Dakota State Courts
In partnership with my fellow justices and our colleagues throughout the judiciary, I hope to execute a vision for the North Dakota Judicial Branch that builds on and expands upon the vision of Chief Justice Jensen to make the system of justice even better. I endeavor to do this by continually communicating with and supporting collaboration within the judiciary with judges and staff. District judges’ challenges and concerns vary across the state, and I am looking forward to collaborating with them on the important work of supporting and improving the administration of justice.
I also want to work collaboratively outside the judiciary with the bar, UND School of Law, the other branches of government, county commissions, and municipalities. I look forward to working with my friend Aaron Birst on issues that we have in common with the counties. I also want to work with Deb Hoffarth, Tony Weiler, and the SBAND Board of Governors, as well as local bar associations, to attract more lawyers to North Dakota to make legal representation more accessible,
Donald S. Fair, Esq., brother to Chief Justice Fair McEvers, remarked on her law career and journey to the bench.
Chief Justice Jensen passes the gavel to Chief Justice Fair McEvers in a ceremony held in the North Dakota Supreme Court chambers on Jan. 6. Photo by Poppy Mills / State of North Dakota
especially in rural counties. I will continue to foster the court’ s amiable relationship with the UND School of Law, as it serves as the primary conduit that provides the state with new, well-trained lawyers. As a member of the North Dakota Children’ s Cabinet, I want to improve access to justice for the youth that we serve in our juvenile courts. I intend to be a chief who listens, is patient, and values ideas of others, even when I might not agree with them.
I do realize the historical significance of this moment. While I’ m not a big deal – I’ m just a Class B kid from Minto, North Dakota – it’ s obvious from the number of people who have contacted me following the ballot opening that this is a big deal to many people – that we have selected the first woman in North Dakota to serve in this capacity. The support that I have received from across the state, and even across the country, has been overwhelming. Thank you to all of those who sent me notes, newspaper articles, or whole newspapers. Tom Dickson sent me the whole Walsh County Record that his mother saved for him and mailed to him and he mailed to me. That’ s what Walsh County is like. But to those who sent me notes, emails, and texts, thank you. Those contacts bolster my spirit to take on the new challenges ahead. To those watching back home in Minto, and for those from Minto here, I have two more words: Rocket Power.
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