The Historical Society of the United States Courts in the Eighth Circuit

In attendance were judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals, North Dakota’s federal and state judges, colleagues, current and former law clerks, family, friends, and court staff.

Chief Judge William Jay Riley presided, and Judge Myron H. Bright accepted the portrait on behalf of the Court. Speakers included James E. Nicolai, permanent law clerk 2000-2015; Kathryn R.L. Rand, University of North Dakota Law School, Dean & Floyd B. Sperry Professor of Law; C. Nicholas Vogel, former Vogel law partner; North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerald W. VandeWalle; and Judge Bye. Judge Bye’s three children, Laura Lee Bye, Bethany Ann Bye Lindemann, and William Edward Bye, unveiled the portrait.

A reception followed. On display honoring Judge Bye was a three panel exhibit and biographical booklet made by the U.S. Courts Library 8th Circuit.

Judge Bye was born in Hatton, North Dakota in 1937, and graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1962. Following law school, he served as the state’s Deputy Securities Commissioner from 1962 to 1964 and Special Assistant Attorney General from 1964 to 1966. From 1966 to 1968 he was Assistant U.S. Attorney in Fargo. For the next 32 years, he practiced law with the Vogel Law Firm, specializing in business litigation and professional liability. Judge Bye was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals on March 9, 2000. He took senior status on April 22, 2015, at the age of 78 and on the 15th anniversary of his private oath of office.