The Hon. Barbara L. Whelan is a judge for the North Dakota Northeast Judicial District. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Doug Burgum on October 19, 2017, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. M. Richard Geiger.
The Northeast Judicial District includes Benson County, Bottineau County, Cavalier County, McHenry County, Pembina County, Pierce County, Ramsey County, Renville County, Rolette County, Towner County, and Walsh County.
Prior to her appointment, Whelan was the State’s Attorney for Walsh County (2006 to 2017) and Pembina County (1999 to 2005).
Whelan earned a bachelor’s degree in hospital administration from Concordia College in 1986. She then completed a J.D. at the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1990. She is admitted to practice in Maryland (1990), North Dakota (1993), and Minnesota (1993).
After graduating from law school, Whelan entered into private practice in Maryland. She served in that capacity until 1993, at which time she relocated to North Dakota. She spent the next five years practicing in Hettinger (1993 to 1994) and Grafton (1994 to 1998).
Whelan was born in Turtle Lake, North Dakota.