United States District Judges are appointed by the President of the United States, with confirmation by the United States Senate. District Judges serve “during good behavior,” and may only be removed from their positions if Congress determines, through the process of impeachment, that they are guilty of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
The first district judgeship in North Dakota, chambered in Fargo, was created in 1890, shortly after North Dakota became a state. From 1922 to 1928, during a brief overlap of the terms of Charles F. Amidon and Andrew Miller, the district was served by two active District Judges. From 1928 until 1955, the district was served by one District Judge. In 1955 Congress authorized a second district judgeship. The second district judgeship has been chambered in Bismarck, except for three years in the 1970s. Two active United States District Judges serve the District of North Dakota.
United States District Judges may assume senior status upon meeting age and years-of-service requirements. In the District of North Dakota, Senior Judges have often served for many years in this capacity, actively presiding over both civil and criminal cases and benefitting the administration of justice in the district.
Peter D. Welte was appointed in 2019 to the judgeship in the Eastern Division. He succeeded Ralph R. Erickson, who began his service in 2003 and who was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in 2017. Rodney S. Webb was appointed District Judge in 1987, assumed senior status in 2001, and continued to serve as a Senior Judge until his death in 2009. Paul Benson was appointed in 1971 and assumed senior status in 1985. Ronald N. Davies was appointed the same day as George S. Register in 1955 and began senior status in 1971. Charles J. Vogel served as District Judge from 1941 to 1954, when he was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Andrew Miller was appointed in 1922 and assumed senior status in 1941. Charles F. Amidon began his service as an interim appointment in 1896 and was confirmed by the Senate in 1897. He assumed senior status in 1928. Alfred D. Thomas, the first United States District Judge in North Dakota, was appointed in 1890 and died in office in 1896.
The Western Division is currently served by Daniel Mack Traynor who was appointed in 2020. He was preceded by Daniel L. Hovland who was appointed in 2002, assumed senior status in 2019, and continues to serve. Patrick A. Conmy began his service in 1985 and began senior status in 2000. Bruce M. Van Sickle was appointed in 1971 and assumed senior status in 1985. He was chambered in Minot for the first three years of his tenure, and thereafter served in Bismarck. George S. Register was appointed the same day as Ronald N. Davies in 1955 and assumed senior status in 1971.
These links redirect to FJC.gov
Thomas, Alfred Delavan (1890-1896)
Amidon, Charles Fremont (1896-1937)
Miller, Andrew (1922-1960)
Vogel, Charles Joseph (1941-1954)
Register, George Scott (1955-1972)
Davies, Ronald Norwood (1955-1996)
Benson, Paul (1971-2004)
Van Sickle, Bruce Marion (1971-2007)
Conmy, Patrick Anthony (1985-present)
Webb, Rodney Scott (1987-2009)
Hovland, Daniel L. (2002-present)
Erickson, Ralph R. (2003-2017)
Welte, Peter David (2019-present)
Traynor, Daniel Mack (2020-present)