Hon. Paul W. Jacobson is a judge for the Northwest Judicial District of North Dakota. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jack Dalrymple in 2013, filling the vacancy of a newly-created position.
The Northwest Judicial District includes Divide, McKenzie, and Williams Counties.
Prior to his appointment, Jacobson was disciplinary counsel (1999 to 2013) and an assistant disciplinary counsel (1993 to 1999) for the North Dakota Supreme Court and Judicial Conduct Commission.
Before his positions there, he was a partner at Bjella, Neff, Rathert, Wahl & Eiken, P.C. in Williston. Jacobson entered private practice in 1979. He also served as a prosecutor and defense counsel in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (1974 to 1979).
Jacobson received a bachelor’s degree in history and economics from North Dakota State University in 1970. He went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Minnesota Law School in 1973.
Jacobson was admitted to practice in Minnesota (1973), North Dakota (1979), the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States Army Court of Military Review, and the United States Court of Military Appeals (1979).
He was born in Valley City, North Dakota.