CLE/CJE Session - Overview of Judicial Conduct and Judicial Standards

The UND School of Law will be offering a special CLE/CJE program on April 20, 2012 titled Overview of Judicial Conduct and Judicial Standards.  The program is from Noon - 2:30 p.m. and have been approved for 2.5 hours of CLE and CJE credit in North Dakota. 

Speakers include:

David S. Paull, Attorney, Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services

Mr. Paull has offered to give a one-hour presentation about the Minnesota Board of Judicial Standards, providing the following synopsis:  "A review of the rules and procedures that govern the personal conduct of Minnesota judges and judicial officers including the appearance of impropriety as well as more specific topics such as delayed cases, courtroom demeanor, ex parte communications and disqualification.  The presentation will also include a review of the procedures used to evaluate and process complaints, including the use of confidentiality."

Brent J. Edison, Attorney, Staff member with Judicial Conduct Commission

Mr. Brent Edison will likewise be giving a one-hour presentation on the roles and responsibilities of the North Dakota Judicial Conduct Commission, addressing how the North Dakota J.C.C. interacts with members of the bar and the judiciary.  The Judicial Conduct Commission was established in 1975 to provide a method for receiving, investigating, evaluating, and acting, by recommendation to the Supreme Court, upon complaints alleging misconduct about a judge in North Dakota.  The Code of Judicial conduct is the primary guide for judicial conduct, and the Rules of the Judicial Conduct commission provide the procedural framework for the handling and disposition of complaints.

Michael S. McGinniss, Professor, UND School of Law

Mr. Michael McGinniss will be offering commentary on the two presentations as well as sharing his perspective of the Minnesota Board of Judicial Standards and the North Dakota Judicial Conduct Commission after working extensively with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of Delaware, where he evaluated, investigated, and prosecuted matters of attorney misconduct.  Mr. McGinniss also has an extensive knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules of Evidence, and Conflict of Laws.  See Professor McGinniss’s biography for a full description of this experience with the Delaware Office of Disciplinary Counsel.