LSND Annual Summer CLE 2026

Program Agenda:

8AM-9:30AM The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Specialty Courts in North Dakota

Specialty courts continue to expand across North Dakota as communities develop innovative approaches to addressing substance use, mental health, domestic violence, and justice-involved populations through collaborative, treatment-focused court models. This panel discussion will provide attorneys with a practical overview of the specialty courts currently operating in North Dakota, including juvenile treatment courts, adult treatment courts, veterans treatment courts, domestic violence courts, and emerging mental health court initiatives. Panelists will discuss how these courts function, the goals and challenges of specialty court models, eligibility and participation issues, interdisciplinary collaboration, and opportunities for attorney and community involvement. Attendees will gain a broader understanding of the evolving specialty court landscape in North Dakota and the role these programs play in improving outcomes for participants, families, and communities.

9:45AM-11:15AM Mental Health, Inpatient Care, and Legal Issues - A Conversation Between Health Care Providers and Lawyers

Clients experiencing mental health crises, inpatient treatment, or complex behavioral health needs often face overlapping legal issues involving housing, family stability, benefits, court proceedings, and decision-making capacity. This interactive CLE brings together behavioral health professionals and legal advocates for a candid conversation about what lawyers should understand when working with clients navigating inpatient care and mental health treatment. Melissa Lennon of Altru Inpatient Behavioral Health and Robin Landwehr of Spectra Health join Legal Services of North Dakota for a moderated discussion covering inpatient behavioral health systems, treatment timelines, discharge planning, confidentiality, communication barriers, rural access challenges, and practical strategies for effective collaboration between legal and healthcare professionals. Through a conversational Q&A format, attendees will gain practical insight into supporting clients with empathy, professionalism, and a better understanding of the realities of behavioral health care.

11:30AM-12:30PM Stalking Issues in Protection Orders, Domestic Violence, and Divorce

Stalking is a pervasive and high-risk form of abuse that can have profound impacts on survivor safety, autonomy, and long-term wellbeing. Yet stalking behaviors are frequently misunderstood, minimized, or overlooked within legal systems and court proceedings. This CLE brings together attorneys from Legal Services of North Dakota and Community Violence Intervention Center for a practical discussion on how stalking presents in real-world cases, the connection between stalking and lethality risk, and the evolving legal landscape surrounding Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs). Presenters will discuss North Dakota’s recent inclusion of stalking as a basis for DVPO relief, including practical considerations related to screening, survivor safety, evidentiary development, and litigation strategy. The session will also explore common misconceptions, patterns of coercive and obsessive behavior, and the ways stalking allegations may intersect with divorce, custody disputes, and broader family law proceedings. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of stalking dynamics and practical tools for more effectively identifying, litigating, and responding to stalking-related issues in legal practice.