Judge Kari Michelle Agotness: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Kari Michelle Agotness is a judge for the North Dakota Northeast Judicial District. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Doug Burgum on February 1, 2021, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Laurie Fontaine.

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, Agotness served as the State’s Attorney for Ramsey County, a position to which she was named in 2017. Before that, she spent nine years as the Ramsey County Clerk of District Court. She supplemented her service with work as a special assistant attorney general for regional child support in Jamestown.

Agotness earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota. She then received a J.D. at the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2006. Agotness also completed a fellowship with the National Center for State Courts’ Institute for Court Management.

Her memberships have included the Lake Region Bar Association and the Human Trafficking Protocol Team for Ramsey County.

Born and raised in Park River, North Dakota, Agotness attended Lake Region State College, where she received a peace officer’s certificate.