1908-1978; North Dakota Supreme Court, 1959-1974

Teigen, Obert C. (1908-1978)

Obert C. Teigen was born on September 27, 1908 near Felon, North Dakota. He graduated from Edmore High School in 1927. Five years later he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Dakota and in 1934 he received a L.L.B. from the School of Law at the University.

Shortly after he was admitted to the North Dakota Bar, Teigen served as a caseworker for the Federal Emergency Relief Administration in Ramsey County. From 1937 to 1943 he served as State's Attorney for Ramsey County. In 1943 he accepted an appointment as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was assigned to the Chicago and Detroit areas for approximately one year.

In 1947 he established a law practice in Devils Lake. Seven years later he was appointed U.S. District Judge by Governor Norman Brunsdale. In 1959 Governor John Davis appointed him Associate Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court. He was elected to two ten year terms beginning in 1960. In 1966 he was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a position he held until 1971. Teigen continued his service on the Supreme Court until his resignation in July 1974.

Following his retirement from the Supreme Court, Teigen accepted a position as Administration Judge for the Social Security Administration. In February 1978 he was forced to resign his position as a result of ill health and died a few months later on May 26, 1978.

Legal - North Dakota Supreme Court
University of North Dakota - Alumni