FARGO — Judge Ryan Younggren was officially sworn into his new position in the East Central Judicial District during an investiture ceremony Friday, March 7, at the Cass County Courthouse in Fargo.

Younggren, previously an assistant state’s attorney for Cass County, received 64% of the vote in the November general election to earn the seat. He will take the place of retiring Judge John Irby, who swore Younggren into the North Dakota Bar in 2007.

Known for his work as a prosecutor, including taking the lead on the Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind and Jupiter Paulsen murder cases, Younggren took the judge’s robe and gavel Friday.

“Ryan was a great hire for me in 2007. It is said that, in the prosecutors office, handling cases there is a lot like drinking water from a firehose and it’s true — the load is heavy and unrelenting,” said former Cass County State’s Attorney Birch Burdick. “Ryan did that for many years, handling many of our most difficult cases.”

Younggren dedicated the ceremony to his wife, Holly’s, parents, Irene and Mick Flanagan.

“This is kind of like my Oscar moment,” Younggren said before expressing his gratitude to family and colleagues. “In many ways, all of you really made me who I am. I am a product of you guys. You guys taught me more about being a good advocate than any class I took over the years. … You’re as much a part of this as I am — I just happen to be the guy that got the robe”

Younggren also outlined how he plans to work as a judge.

“What I want people to know is that I’m earnest, I’m working hard, I’m putting in a good effort and I’m listening. It will be my aim as a judge to be respectful, to be thoughtful and I will meet people where they are at. If I’m hearing the argument properly and seeing what’s in front of me — I will be able to do those things.”

Forum photographer Alyssa Goelzer was on hand to capture scenes from the ceremony.

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