American judge

Gerald VandeWalle

Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court
In office
January 1, 1993 – December 31, 2019
Preceded by| Ralph J. Erickstad
Succeeded by| Jon J. Jensen
Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court
In office
August 15, 1978 – January 31, 2023
Appointed by| Arthur A. Link
Preceded by| Robert Vogel
Succeeded by| Douglas Bahr
Personal details
Born|  (1933-08-15) August 15, 1933 (age 89)
Noonan, North Dakota, U.S.
Education| University of North Dakota (BA, JD)

Gerald Wayne VandeWalle (born August 15, 1933) is an American lawyer who served as a justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court from 1978 to 2023. He served as the court's chief justice from 1993 to 2019.

## Early life and education[edit]

VandeWalle was born in Noonan, North Dakota and graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce.[1] While attending the University of North Dakota he joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He then received a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1958.

## Career[edit]

In late 2019, VandeWalle announced he would not seek reelection for another term as chief justice, but would remain on the court.[2] He was the longest-serving chief justice in North Dakota history and at the time, the oldest in the nation.[3] He retired from the court on January 31, 2023.[4]

## Career[edit]

* 1958 – admitted to the State Bar of North Dakota
* 1975 – appointed First Assistant Attorney General of North Dakota
* August, 1978 – appointed to the North Dakota Supreme Court
* November, 1978 – elected to serve an unexpired term on Supreme Court
* 1985–1987 – served as the first chair of the North Dakota Judicial Conference
* 1993 – elected Chief Justice of North Dakota Supreme Court
* 1995 – re-elected Chief Justice
* 2000 – re-elected Chief Justice
* 2005—re-elected Chief Justice
* 2010—re-elected Chief Justice
* 2015—re-elected Chief Justice

## References[edit]

1. ^ "North Dakota Court System - Gerald W. VandeWalle". www.ndcourts.gov. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
2. ^ Hageman, John (September 26, 2019). "North Dakota chief justice won't seek another term at the helm, but will stay on state's high court". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
3. ^ "Gavel passes to new chief justice in North Dakota". The Mighty 790 KFGO. January 7, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
4. ^ "Justice VandeWalle announces retirement" (Press release). State of North Dakota Courts. November 18, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2023.

## External links[edit]

* Gerald W. VandeWalle biography

Legal offices

Preceded by

Robert Vogel

|  Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court
1978–2023  | Succeeded by

Douglas Bahr

Preceded by

Ralph J. Erickstad

|  Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court
1993–2019  | Succeeded by

Jon J. Jensen

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