BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum on Friday appointed Tioga attorney Benjamen J. Johnson to a judgeship in the Northwest Judicial District, effective March 13.
Johnson has been in private practice since 2008, with a general legal practice. He also served as assistant state’s attorney in Burke County from 2008 to 2010 and acting Burke County state’s attorney from 2010 to 2011. Johnson presently is the city attorney for the cities of Tioga, Ross, Bowbells, Wildrose, Portal and Flaxton.
Born in Williston and raised in Froid, Mont., Johnson is a 2008 graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks. He earned an undergraduate degree in 2004 from the University of Mary in Bismarck.
The Northwest Judicial District vacancy in Judgeship No. 2 was created by the Dec. 31 retirement of Judge David Nelson. Six lawyers applied to fill the vacancy.
Johnson and his wife Melissa, a physical therapist, have three children and live in Tioga.