Northeast Judicial District Judge Barbara L. Whelan has given notice of her resignation effective April 30, 2026.

In her letter to Governor Armstrong, Judge Whelan noted that "I have served the citizens of the Northeast Judicial District to the best of my abilities since Governor Burgum appointed me in October 2017. Serving as a District Court Judge has been the highlight of my career, and I will always look back at my time on the bench as some of the most fruitful years of my life. I am not sure what the future holds for me at this point, but I do not see myself stepping away from the law altogether and instead serving in a different capacity."

Judge Whelan continued, "My heartfelt thanks to all of the attorneys, court staff, court administration and my fellow judges..."

Judge Whelan was appointed as District Court Judge by Governor Doug Burgum in 2017 for the Northeast Judicial District judgeship #6 located in Grafton, ND.  Prior to her appointment, Judge Whelan worked in private legal practice in Maryland from 1990-1993. She worked in private legal practice in Hettinger from 1993-1994; and private legal practice in Grafton from 1994-1998. She was the Pembina County State's Attorney from 1999-2005; and the Walsh County State's Attorney from 2006-2017.