Vernon R. Pederson

Vernon R. Pederson (September 11, 1919 – February 26, 2017) was an American attorney who served as a Justice on the North Dakota Supreme Court. He also served in a number of other government roles during his career. Early life and education Pederson was born on September 11, 1919, on a farm in Ward County, North Dakota, near to Deering, North Dakota. Pederson attended Minot State Teacher's College for two years. Following World War II, he earned his B.S., LL.B., and J.D. degrees at the University of North Dakota. Early career Beginning in 1949, Pederson practiced law in Minot, North Dakota. He also began serving in various government roles while in Minot. He served a tenure as Minot City Justice. In 1951 and 1952, he spent two years serving as a special agent-attorney of North Dakota's Office of Price Stabilization (located in Fargo). On June 15, 1953, he was appointed a special assistant attorney general for North Dakota's State Highway Department and State Game and Fish Department. From 1966 to 1972, he was a member of North Dakota's original State Employee Retirement Board (PERS). From 1972 through 1975, he served as chairmen of North Dakota's inaugural State Deferred Compensation Committee.