---
title: "James S. Hill | KnowJudges"
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# James S. Hill

North Dakota South Central Judicial District Court · District Judge

## Profile

- Court: North Dakota South Central Judicial District Court
- State: North Dakota
- Role: District Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-10-02

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- District Court Judge for the North Dakota South Central Judicial District, Department 8, serving since 2014
- Assistant U.S. attorney in Bismarck in 1975–1980 and joined Zuger Kirmis & Smith in 1981, practicing civil litigation and professional-malpractice defense until appointment
- Position: District Court Judge, South Central Judicial District, Judge #8 (Linton, ND)

### Education

- University of North Dakota School of Law — J.D. (1974)

### Additional information

- He won district-court elections in 2016 and 2022.
- James S. Hill serves in North Dakota’s South Central Judicial District, judgeship8, following Governor Jack Dalrymple’s August 2014 appointment.
- He attended the University of North Dakota and earned its J.D. in 1974, then clerked for federal district judge Paul Benson.
- His professional leadership includes the ABA House of Delegates, Board of Governors and state-delegate service, plus the interest-on-lawyers’-trust-accounts commission.
- He holds National Board of Trial Advocacy civil-trial-specialist certification.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing and evidence

Scope: statewide

North Dakota Administrative Rule 52 permits reliable electronic-means proceedings in district and municipal courts on the court's or a party's motion; a party seeking the proceeding must give notice and obtain court approval.

Evidence excerpt: Parties seeking to hold an electronic means proceeding must provide notice to the other parties and obtain approval from the court.

[North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
Source checked: 2026-07-27

### remote hearing and evidence

Scope: statewide

North Dakota's official Rule 52 guidance states that in civil actions a court may conduct a hearing, conference, other proceeding, or take testimony by reliable electronic means.

Evidence excerpt: In a civil action, the court may conduct a hearing, conference, or other proceeding, or take testimony, by reliable electronic means.

[North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
Source checked: 2026-07-27


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/south-central)
- [Official roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/south-central)
- [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/south-central)
- [North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)
- [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/south-central)
- [North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 52: Reliable Electronic Means Proceedings](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/remote-proceedings-by-electronic-means-a-useful-tool)

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