MDN File Photo Then North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Jon Jensen, left, swears in new North Central District Court Judge Steven Lautt, right, while State Bar Association Governor Debra Hoffarth, center, Lautt’s son Andrew, wife Diane and daughter June Lautt, and District Court Judge Gary Lee looks on Friday, Aug. 22, in Minot.

The North Central District Court experienced a changing of the guard this year after longtime Judge Douglas Mattson announced his retirement in February.

Mattson, a Minot native, served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1978-1982, received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1985 and worked for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Sen. Mark Andrews in Washington, D.C., from 1985-1986.

Mattson then worked in private legal practice in Minot from 1987-1990 and was Ward County State’s Attorney from 1990 until he was elected to the judgeship in 2002. Mattson was reelected three times, most recently in 2020. His retirement was effective on June 1.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced on June 5 he had appointed Minot attorney Steven Lautt to the open judgeship in the North Central Judicial District. Lautt, also a Minot native, practiced law as an attorney and shareholder with the Minot law firm Pringle & Herigstad beginning in 2012. Lautt litigated a wide variety of civil cases and served on boards of several regional agriculture and telecommunications cooperatives and a statewide nonprofit organization.

Armstrong, four North Dakota Supreme Court justices and an array of district court judges were in attendance for Lautt’s investiture on Aug. 22. Armstrong noted Lautt’s appointment was the first of his administration and described him as bright, thoughtful and insightful.

“I am very proud to do this. I know you’ve already been going to work. But I am very happy for you and I’m very happy for the citizens of Ward County,” Armstrong said.

After he took his oath of office, Lautt said the legal system is meant to reinforce inherent worth and value, and all are equal based on the facts and the law.

“I believe so deeply in the goodness and greatness of our Constitution and of our system of justice. Our system is not perfect. It requires thoughtful care and tending, but it is altogether excellent and worthy of preserving,” Lautt said. “The oath I take today is solemn. It’s sobering, and I know some days will feel like a heavy burden. But I take it with joy and with a full heart, grateful to those who fought to establish the rule of law. I’m very thankful to those who preserve it for us and I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to play a part in preserving it for generations to come.”