Gilbertson Receives SBAND Distinguished Service Award
The SBAND Distinguished Service Award , the most prestigious award the association bestows , honors a member of the profession who has provided outstanding service to the state and legal community over an extended career . The Distinguished Service Award plaque , which hangs outside the North Dakota Supreme Court , permanently honors recipients and reminds lawyers and the public of their dedication and work .
This year ’ s award was presented to Joel Gilbertson , who served as executive director of SBAND from 1978 to 1981 and later as a member of the SBAND Board of Governors from 1989 to 1994 , serving as president from 1992 to 1993 . For more than two decades , he has also served on SBAND ’ s Legislative Committee .
Gilbertson has more than 25 years of experience in lobbying and regulatory representation . Listed in “ The Best Lawyers in America ,” he has extensive background in state and national association management in the banking industry and organized bar activities .
Gilbertson was nominated for his role as a significant and vital contributor to the success of SBAND and the improvement of the legal profession in North Dakota . In his acceptance speech , transcribed below , he spoke of the pride he takes in living and working in the law profession in North Dakota .
“ Theodore Roosevelt said the romance of his life began in North Dakota . ‘ Ours was the glory of work and the joy of living .’
For thank you ’ s I will start with the joy of living and get back to the glory of work .
Thank you , Jan – not “ last but not least ” but first and best . My best friend , my confidant , and my partner – in life and at the piano . We have been hanging out together legally , as of last Sunday , for 45 years .
Both coasts are represented in the next generation down . Our son , David , from Boston , and daughter , Lisa , from Seattle , along with my twin grandsons , William and Oliver , are here . Thank you so much for making this even more special .
Joel Gilbertson I am going to include my law firm professional partner , Levi Andrist , on the joy of living side , because he is as much a part of that as the glory of work . Levi is a partner and friend and I am so thankful he came along for me .
Switching to the glory of work side , I want to say a personal thank you to the profession . Our profession .
It is a profession where I learned to be flexible in accomplishing my goals . It is like Chester Smith in New Town , where I grew up . He was a veterinarian and a taxidermist . Either way , you got your dog back .
It is a profession that I am proud of . A profession that works to resolve disputes in a civilized society . Whether our lawyers are spending their days helping people deal with the emotion-charged issues that arise in divorce and child custody cases , assisting businesses in drafting agreements to avoid future litigation , advising school boards in dealing with problems , sitting down with clients for estate planning purposes , volunteering legal help to numerous charitable organizations , working with people who are severely injured in accidents , or helping people who get sued because of injuries to others . Yes , it truly is a profession to be proud of . It is a profession that forms the foundation of a relatively peaceful society as we know and enjoy it every day . A society where we have systems set up to deal with and help resolve the disagreements and issues that have been and will continue to be a part of life here on earth .
More importantly , however , I am thankful to our profession and my career here as a lawyer in North Dakota . The former North Dakota rancher Theodore Roosevelt described the people in North Dakota when he was here as “ a splendid class of good people who believe in a person ’ s worth as a person , without regard to wealth , social standing , or position .” As my Dad , the preacher , said often , “ In North Dakota , we recognize the dignity of the human soul .”
How lucky I have been to celebrate the joy of living and the glory of work right here in North Dakota . Maybe I should be thanking God as well . And I will . Thank you , God . And , up there , thank you Mom and Dad as well .
Joel Gilbertson , center , is presented with the Distinguished Service Award by Charles DeMakis , left , and Dan Traynor , right .
8 THE GAVEL
Needless to say , perhaps , but I will say it anyway . Thank you to the Board of Governors and especially to Dan Traynor for this honor . And I will sit down . As my Dad also used to say , “ Joel , to be immortal you do not have to be eternal .”