Superintendent Kirsten Baesler | North Dakota State Board of Education
Superintendent Kirsten Baesler | North Dakota State Board of Education
Gov. Kelly Armstrong has appointed Marina Spahr, a Bismarck attorney, to fill an open judgeship in the South Central Judicial District. This appointment will take effect on September 15. Spahr brings over 30 years of experience in civil and criminal law from both private practice and government service.
Since 2019, Spahr has worked as an assistant attorney general and director of the North Dakota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within the Attorney General’s Office. She previously served as a senior assistant Burleigh County state’s attorney, focusing on felony-level crimes with direct victim impact. From 1994 to 2015, she practiced privately in Carrington and Cooperstown, specializing in family law, real estate, probate, and contracts. During this period, she also held positions as a state’s attorney or assistant state’s attorney across several counties.
Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Spahr earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Saskatchewan and her law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks in 1992. Her 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 the South Central Judicial District judgeship arose following Judge David E. Reich's retirement on June 6 after serving since 2006. Three attorneys were finalists for this position based in Bismarck.
The South Central Judicial District encompasses Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, and Sioux counties.
Alerts Sign-up