Central ND News

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has appointed Marina Spahr, a Bismarck attorney, to the South Central Judicial District judgeship. The appointment will take effect on September 15. Spahr brings over 30 years of experience in civil and criminal law, having worked in both private practice and government service.

Spahr's recent role was as an assistant attorney general and director of the North Dakota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within the Attorney General’s Office since 2019. She previously served nearly four years as a senior assistant Burleigh County state’s attorney, focusing on felony-level crimes with direct victim impact. Her earlier career from 1994 to 2015 involved private practice in Carrington and Cooperstown, where she specialized in family law, real estate, probate, and contracts. Additionally, she held positions as a state’s attorney or assistant state’s attorney across several counties including Pembina, Wells, Griggs, Steele, Barnes, Eddy, Foster, McLean, and Ward.

Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Spahr completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan before earning her law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks in 1992. Her legal career includes participation in more than 70 civil and criminal trials and appearances before the North Dakota Supreme Court on 20 occasions.

The vacancy for this judgeship arose following Judge David E. Reich's retirement on June 6 after serving since 2006. Three attorneys were considered finalists for this position based in Bismarck.

The South Central Judicial District encompasses Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties.