The State Bar Association of North Dakota

06/16/2026

Did you know that your SBAND membership includes a range of valuable benefits? Take advantage of discounts and more by visiting the Member Benefits page on the SBAND website:
https://www.sband.org/page/member-benefits

06/09/2026

Legal Risks and Priorities for General Counsel in 2026: Bloomberg Law highlights the key legal and business trends in-house counsel should be thinking about, from regulatory shifts and evolving client expectations to technology adoption and the expanding role of the legal function. They offer a "GC's Guide to Navigating 2026" here:

Discover what in-house leaders need to know about emerging legal risks and trends.

06/05/2026

Join us for a new webinar in our special series presented by the Attorney General’s office. Whether you’re a new or experienced attorney, this webinar series offers valuable insights for those working with the state, counties, cities, or other political subdivisions. Learn more and register here: https://www.sband.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2034785&group=

06/02/2026

“In a polarized sociopolitical climate, firms face heightened scrutiny for what they do and how they communicate it. This moment presents risk and opportunity. Mishandled messaging can create internal confusion and external doubt. Done well, messaging strengthens reputation, builds trust and reinforces principled leadership,” according to communications strategist Gina Rubel. She offers guidance on “Law Firm Messaging in a Politically Charged World” in this recent article for the Legal Marketing Association’s Strategies and Voices blog:

Not long ago, I spoke with a managing partner and a CMO of an Am Law firm that had achieved Mansfield Rule certification after a sustained, multi-year effort to broaden the leadership pipeline. Their clients, teams and recruits applauded the move, boosting morale and reinforcing the firm’s longsta...

05/27/2026

Don't miss the event everyone will be talking about this summer - the 2026 SBAND Annual Meeting, taking place June 10-12 in Grand Forks! Learn more about the meeting, find information about hotel accommodations, and register here: https://www.sband.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1826630&group=

05/22/2026

According to research from the Thomson Reuters Institute, 86 percent of general counsel believe their department contributes significantly to company goals, but only 17 percent of the C-suite agrees. Learn about this gap and more, including AI’s impact on businesses and the current business and legal environment in the 2026 State of the Corporate Law Department report from Thomson Reuters, available here:

How GCs prove their value to the C-suite, from Thomson Reuters Institute research with thousands of in-house leaders on tech priorities, spending, and more.

05/08/2026

A recent ruling is causing some lawyers to caution their clients on their use of AI platforms, which may not be protected when it comes to confidentiality. In United States v. Heppner, Judge Rakoff of the Southern District of New York ruled that written exchanges between a criminal defendant and an AI platform were not protected by attorney-client privilege or the work product doctrine. Read more about this monumental case via the Harvard Law Review here:

Fitting new technology to old doctrine is a perennial challenge for courts. Today, that technology is generative artificial intelligence (AI), and those doctrines now...

05/05/2026

Join us for the 2026 Indigent Defense Seminar May 13-14 in Grand Forks. Learn more and register here: https://www.sband.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2034689&group=

04/28/2026

Earlier this year, Thomson Reuters released its Q4 2025 Law Firm Financial Index, which indicated that law firms did well in the final quarter of the year, but should prepare for “shifting winds.” Access the report here:

Law firms closed 2025 with their sails full and coffers flushed, but a concerning shift in the wind could mean there's choppier waters ahead.