He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in 1976 and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1979.
He was a law clerk to Judge Ralph J. Erickstad of the North Dakota Supreme Court from 1979 to 1980.
He was in private practice in Bismarck, North Dakota, from 1983 to 2002.
He was a Commissioner, Bismarck Park & Recreation District, North Dakota from 1992 to 2002.
[1] Hovland was nominated by President George W. Bush on June 26, 2002, to a seat vacated by Judge Patrick Anthony Conmy.