The investiture ceremony for Judge Ashley Samuelson took place on February 10, 2026, at the Ramsey County Courthouse. The event was attended by several North Dakota Supreme Court Justices as well as federal, district, and tribal judges from Unit 1.
Judge Samuelson has been a staff attorney for the Northeast Judicial District since 2017. Prior to her work with the court system, she served as a special assistant attorney general in the Devils Lake Regional Child Support Unit, where she represented the State of North Dakota in both state and tribal court proceedings. Her previous experience also includes working in private practice at Vogel Law Firm and clerking for former North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle.
Originally from Edmore, Judge Samuelson earned both her bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of North Dakota. She was appointed by Governor Armstrong to fill a judicial vacancy in the Northeast Judicial District following the retirement of Judge Donovan Foughty.
The investiture was presided over by Judge Anthony Benson. Governor Armstrong delivered remarks about Judge Samuelson during the ceremony. Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers also spoke, acknowledging Judge Samuelson and highlighting the importance of the occasion.
Judge Lonnie Olson administered the oath to Judge Samuelson.
Judge Ashley Samuelson was joined by other Northeast Judicial District Judges at the ceremony: Judge Lonnie Olson, Judge Donovan Foughty, Judge Barbara Whelan, Judge Michael Hurly, Judge Anthony Benson, and Judge Kari Agotness.
