Jamestown attorney chosen for new ND judgeship

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Jamestown attorney has been chosen for a new state district judgeship.

Gov. John Hoeven on Wednesday appointed Thomas Merrick to the job. Merrick becomes one of the seven judges in the Southeast Judicial District.

The district covers 11 counties in southeastern North Dakota and includes the cities of Jamestown, Valley City and Wahpeton. Merrick will be one of the two judges based in Jamestown.

The 59-year-old Merrick is a native of Indiana. He was an Air Force captain and his final posting was at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. He graduated from the University of North Dakota law school in 1983 and went on to practice law in Jamestown.

The Legislature approved two new district judgeships earlier this year. Hoeven is still considering three finalists for a judgeship in Minot.

Merrick and assistant Stutsman County prosecutor Jay Schmitz were the finalists for the Jamestown job.

Tags: north dakota legislature, news, jamestown