Born 1959 in Thief River Falls, MN

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
Nominated by George W. Bush on January 7, 2003, to a seat vacated by Rodney S. Webb. Confirmed by the Senate on March 12, 2003, and received commission on March 14, 2003. Served as chief judge, 2009-2016. Service terminated on October 13, 2017, due to appointment to another judicial position.

Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Nominated by Donald J. Trump on June 7, 2017, to a seat vacated by Kermit Edward Bye. Confirmed by the Senate on September 28, 2017, and received commission on October 12, 2017.

Education:
Jamestown College, B.A., 1980
University of North Dakota School of Law, J.D., 1984

Professional Career:

Private practice, West Fargo, North Dakota, 1984-1994
Magistrate judge, Cass County [North Dakota] Court, 1993-1994
Judge, Traill, Steele, Nelson, and Griggs Counties [North Dakota] Court, 1994
Judge, North Dakota District Court, East Central Judicial District, 1995-2003
Board member, Federal Judicial Center, 2024-present

Other Nominations/Recess Appointments:

Nominated to U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, September 12, 2002; no Senate vote