Category: In The News

Pore Space Hearing Recording

On October 29, 2020, Derrick Braaten argued before Northwest District Judge Anthony Benson on behalf of the Northwest Landowners Association regarding the pore space law passed during the 2019 legislative session.  You can listen to the hearing here. 

Pore Space dispute heard by district court

Derrick Braaten recently delivered oral arguments at the on behalf of client Northwest Landowners Association regarding the Pore Space law that North Dakota lawmakers passed last Session. NWLA believes the law is unconstitutional, because it prevents landowners from bringing trespass or nuisance claims against oil companies and prevents them from obtaining compensation for the use … Read More

Little Missouri River Bridge Fight Continues

The legal battle surrounding the Billings County Commission’s plan to build a bridge over the Little Missouri River is heating up.  Recently the Commission announced its intention to use eminent domain on private land owned by the Short Family to construct the bridge. The Short Family is challenging this move with two lawsuits.  Read more … Read More

“The Commission’s position does not inspire confidence and respect in our regulatory system.”

The North Dakota Supreme Court sided with the State in their recent ruling, stating that state regulators did not need to review the location of the proposed refinery just 3 miles away from North Dakota’s #1 tourist attraction, Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  Justice Vandewalle dissented with the ruling, stating the dispute was really about whether … Read More

Judge Welte demands process for signatures in question for ND’s mail-in ballot only June election

  Braaten Law Firm served as local counsel for the lawsuit challenging North Dakota’s process for throwing out ballots with questionable signatures.  Judge Welte said, “the voter is irreversibly disenfranchised for that election” because there is currently no process to inform the voter whose ballot was thrown out.  Judge Welte said the law “is likely … Read More

Braaten Law Firm Local Counsel for Voting Rights Lawsuit

A North Dakota law requiring that signatures match a voter’s ballot application has caused problems for certain voters.  Braaten Law firm serves as local counsel for two advocacy groups who are challenging this law.  Read more about the lawsuit here. 

Derrick Receives Business Stewardship Award

Derrick was recently awarded the 2019 Business Stewardship Award from the North Dakota Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. The Business Stewardship Award is presented to recognize the efforts of a business to promote soil and water conservation even though their bottom line may be profit motivated. This effort may be done by … Read More

NWLA and Derrick Braaten Hold Pore Space Press Conference

Derrick Braaten and Troy Coons, the Chairman of Northwest Landowners, held a press conference in Bismarck last week to respond to an oil company’s request to intervene in the pore space lawsuit. The Williston Herald and the Bismarck Tribune both published stories after their press conference, discussing Continental’s request to step in on the state’s … Read More

Lawsuit over proposed Little Missouri Bridge

Braaten Law Firm recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of our clients, the Short Family, in US District Court. This lawsuit challenges a proposed bridge crossing the Little Missouri River. Read more about it here.     

TENORM conditional use permit denied

Williams County denied Secure Energy’s Conditional Use Permit application for a TENORM facility and told them they can reapply. They then voted for a 12 month moratorium on any new Conditional Use Permits for TENORM facilities. Braaten Law Firm’s Carey Goetz was on hand at the meeting, representing a number of clients.  Read more about … Read More