March 11, 2025
State Bar Association of North Dakota
Tony Weiler, Executive Director
1661 Capitol Way Suite 104LL
Bismarck, ND 58501
Hon. Theodore T. Sandberg, SBAND President
124 S. Fourth St.
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Debra L. Hoffarth, SBAND President-Elect
P.O. Box 1000
Minot, ND 58702-1000
VIA EMAIL AND USPS
RE: Continuing Legal Education Webinar
Basics of Working with LGBTQ+ Clients
To whom this may concern:
We, the undersigned attorneys and members of State Bar Association of North Dakota
(“SBAND”), submit this letter to express our disappointment and disagreement with SBAND’s
decision to cut the continuing legal education webinar entitled “Basics of Working with LGBTQ+
Clients” from SBAND’s platform. The event description stated: “Attorneys working in a variety
of practice areas will encounter LGBTQ+ clients. Providing effective and competent services to
all clients is an essential part of an ethical legal practice.” We see no legitimate reason SBAND
ended its involvement in hosting the CLE webinar.
SBAND advertises and maintains CLE webinars on a variety of topics for the benefit of its
members. We are deeply concerned with SBAND taking a political stance pursuant to a Federal
Executive Order by removing a CLE aimed at serving the legal needs of LGBTQ+ North Dakotans.
This type of CLE is no different than one aimed at serving the needs of the poor, the disabled, or
other underserved groups. Each one of us, as a lawyer, is a “representative of clients, an officer of
the legal system and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice.”
Preamble, a Lawyer’s Responsibilities, N.D.R.Prof.C.
LGBTQ+ individuals deserve our respect. SBAND’s recent decision sends a disappointing
message to our colleagues, our clients, and the community. It also calls into question what other
important CLE topics or SBAND sections might be at risk. We request that SBAND reconsider its
position, because a CLE addressing the legal needs of LGBTQ+ individuals certainly improves
the practice of law.
Names of 129 attorneys who are in support of this letter follow.
Basics of Working with LGBTQ+ Clients
Page 2
Alex Jenson Heidi Heitkamp Morgan R. Glines
Alexis Doree Jay R. Greenwood Murray G. Sagsveen
Alisha Ankers Jennifer Clark Nathan Severson
Alivia Olson Jennifer Verleger Olufemi Oyewumi Adisa
Allyson Hicks Jesse Maier Peter D. Morowski
Alyssa Lovas Jessica Johanna Ahrendt Priscila Ulloa
Amanda Corey Jessica L. Moen Quinn Harmon
Amanda Engelstad Jordan Schuetzle Quinn Hochhalter Askew
Amy Pikovsky Julie Oster Rachel Bruner
Angela Sersha Kalli M.H. Anderson Rachel Hanson
Anna Ingersoll Karen Kringlie Rachel Sinness
Anna Wischer Kari Losee Rainey Muth
AnnaLisa Nash Kari Reichert Richard Paul Olson
Annique Lockard Katelyn L. Schulz Robert N. Quick
Ashley Heitkamp Katherine Wong Ross Nilson
Austin Lafferty Katie L. Winbauer Sarah Aaberg
Bonnie P. Humphrey Kelsee Macintosh-Ellig Sarah Atkinson
Brenda Blazer Kelsey Hankey Sarah Flores
Brent J. Edison Kirsten R. Franzen Sarah Soucie Eyberg
Briana Rummel Kristin Binder Scott Haider
Cara Mund Kylee Carlin Scott Patrick Brand
Carey A. Goetz Kylie Oversen Shannon E. Parvey
Casey Jacobson Lacey Renae Garrison Sherry Mills Moore
Cassie Marka Laura A. Balliet Stephanie Pretzer
Chad C. Nodland Lawrence King Stephen Elias Williamson
Chris Edison Leah Carlson Steven Nelson
Christopher S. Pieske Lexie Bergstrom Sue Swanson
Clare R. Hochhalter Lynn Slaathaug Moen Susan Boensch Meyer
Cynthia G. Schaar Mac Schneider Sydney Beck
Danielle Foster Madison Marchus Tara B. Brandner
Danielle Krause Margaret Moore Jackson Tasha M. Gahner
Derrick Braaten Margaret Morley Tatum O'Brien
Diane Davies-Luger Margaret Olson Thomas D. Fiebiger
Dierra Diegel Mary Kae Kelsch Tim O'Keeffe
Doug Goulding Matt A. Paulson Tim Purdon
Douglas Holloway Matthew R. Keller Timothy Charles Lamb
Emily J. Rouse Megan Carranza Tom Dickson
Emily M. Ramage Megan Lindquist Tyler N.E. Erickson
Eric D. Olson Meggi Ihland Pelton William Black
Ericka Muller Melinda Hanson Weerts Zachary Ista
Erik A. Escarramán Meredith Larson Zachary Tomczik
Ethan Johnson Michael L. Gjesdahl
Ethan Lee Micheal A. Mulloy
Haylee M. Culver Mikayla M. Reis
