Northeast Judicial District Judge Barbara L. Whelan announced on Apr. 2 that she will resign effective April 30, 2026.
Whelan’s departure marks the end of a tenure that began in October 2017, when she was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum to serve as District Court Judge for the Northeast Judicial District judgeship #6 in Grafton, North Dakota.
In her letter to Governor Armstrong, Whelan said, “I have served the citizens of the Northeast Judicial District to the best of my abilities since Governor Burgum appointed me in October 2017. Serving as a District Court Judge has been the highlight of my career, and I will always look back at my time on the bench as some of the most fruitful years of my life. I am not sure what the future holds for me at this point, but I do not see myself stepping away from the law altogether and instead serving in a different capacity.” She continued, “My heartfelt thanks to all of the attorneys, court staff, court administration and my fellow judges…”
Before her appointment to the bench, Whelan worked in private legal practice in Maryland from 1990 to 1993 and then practiced law in Hettinger from 1993 to 1994. She continued her private practice career in Grafton between 1994 and 1998 before becoming Pembina County State’s Attorney from 1999 until 2005 and later Walsh County State’s Attorney from 2006 through her judicial appointment in 2017.
Whelan indicated she does not plan to leave legal work entirely but is considering other roles within law following her resignation.
