North Dakota’s first female chief justice: ‘I certainly hope that I won’t be the last’
Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers, the first woman to lead the North Dakota Supreme Court, participates in a formal passing of the gavel ceremony on Jan. 6, 2026. Photo by Jacob Orledg/North Dakota Monitor
Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers, participates in a formal passing of the gavel ceremony on Jan. 6, 2026. Photo by Jacob Orledge/North Dakota Monitor
The North Dakota Supreme Court passed the gavel to a female chief justice for the first time in state history on Jan. 6.
Justice Jon Jensen formally stepped down from the role and welcomed Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers during a ceremony in front of a packed crowd.
“Women have been eligible to serve on this court since 1920, when women gained the full right to vote, and it took us until now to have…
