--- title: "William A. Herauf | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-herauf-nd-swjd-2" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # William A. Herauf North Dakota Southwest Judicial District Court · Presiding District Judge ## Profile - Court: North Dakota Southwest Judicial District Court - State: North Dakota - Role: Presiding 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 - Former Presiding Judge of the Southwest Judicial District in North Dakota, serving in Judgeship No. 2 in Dickinson, ND, until his planned retirement on November 30, 2026 - In September 2026, Judge Herauf announced his retirement, effective November 30, 2026, in a letter to Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers, with Governor Kelly Armstrong noting the notification - He also held the role of Assistant City Attorney for Dickinson (1985–1990) and as State’s Attorney for Slope County - His earlier public service included Dickinson assistant city attorney from 1985 to 1990 and Slope County state’s attorney ### Education - University of North Dakota School of Law — J.D. (1982) ### Additional information - A September 9, 2026 official notice announces retirement effective November 30, 2026. - He was subsequently elected in 2008 and re‐elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022. - The court records election in 2008 and reelection in 2010, 2016 and 2022. - Joined the North Dakota District Court in 2006 by Governor John Hoeven, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. - Governor John Hoeven appointed him to Southwest Judgeship 2 in 2006. - October 11, 1982 (Admitted to North Dakota Bar). - His academic qualifications include a University of North Dakota undergraduate degree in 1979 and a UND law degree in 1982, entering the North Dakota bar that year. - William A. Herauf is a Dickinson native who graduated from Dickinson High School in 1975. - 1957, Dickinson, North Dakota (Born). - Ron Hilden. - Before joining the bench, Herauf maintained a private legal practice in Dickinson for over two decades, working at Mackoff Kellogg and Reichert & Herauf. - Practiced privately in Dickinson for more than two decades, among them work at Mackoff Kellogg and Reichert & Herauf. - He presided over cases in the Southwest Judicial District, which includes Stark County and several surrounding counties - He became presiding judge. ## 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/southwest) - [Official roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/southwest) - [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/southwest) - [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) - [Announced judicial service transition](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/district-courts/judges/judge-william-a-herauf-to-retire) - [Announced judicial service transition](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/district-courts/judges/judge-william-a-herauf-to-retire) - [North Dakota Court System official judicial roster](https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/southwest) - [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) - [Announced judicial service transition](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/district-courts/judges/judge-william-a-herauf-to-retire) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-herauf-nd-swjd-2", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-herauf-nd-swjd-2", "name": "William A. Herauf | KnowJudges", "description": "William A. Herauf, North Dakota Southwest Judicial District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-herauf-nd-swjd-2#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-herauf-nd-swjd-2#judge", "name": "William A. Herauf", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-herauf-nd-swjd-2", "jobTitle": "Presiding District Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "North Dakota Southwest Judicial District Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/southwest" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "North Dakota", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/north-dakota" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William A. Herauf", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-herauf-nd-swjd-2" } ] } ] } ``` ## Upcoming changes William A. Herauf: Retirement announced; effective 2026-11-30. announced retirement: 2026-11-30 Status: announced [Source 1](https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/district-courts/judges/judge-william-a-herauf-to-retire)