Montana Lawyer April/May 2025

APRIL/MAY 2025 VOL. 50 ISS. 2

ON THE COVER

The Montana Lawyer is published 6 times a year by the State Bar of Montana, 33 S. Last Chance Gulch, Suite 1B, P.O. Box 577, Helena, MT 59624 as its official publication for all members. Publisher | John Mudd Editor | Regina Mercado email : montanalawyer@montanabar.org Montana Lawyer Subscriptions are a benefit of State Bar membership. Subscriptions for non members are available for $50 per year. Ad rates and subscription information are avail able by emailing montanalawyer@montanabar. org. Statements and expressions of opinion appear ing in the Montana Lawyer are those of the advertisers or authors. Unless specifically stated, they are not the official position or view of the State Bar of Montana, its officers or trustees, and they do not necessarily represent the views of all members of the State Bar of Montana. Postmaster: Send address changes to mon tanalawyer@montanabar.org.

STATE BAR OFFICERS President Antoinette “Toni” Tease, Billings President-Elect Aislinn W. Brown, Helena Secretary-Treasurer Erica R. Grinde, Missoula Immediate Past President J. Stuart Segrest, Helena Chair of the Board Albert “Rich” Batterman, Baker BOARD OF TRUSTEES Area A Ryan G. Hennen, Whitefish Area B Beth Hayes, Missoula Dana L. Hupp, Missoula Natasha P. Jones, Missoula Area C Kaylan A. Minor, Dillon Area D Anthony Gallagher, Great Falls Claire Lettow, Great Falls Area E Albert “Rich” Batterman, Baker Area F

Clean Slate Clinic Gives Montanans a Fresh Start More than 60 Montanans got a fresh start this March through the Clean Slate Clinic, the state’s first expungement clinic. Organized by Montana Legal Services Association with volunteer attorneys and law students, the clinic helped participants clear old misdemeanor convictions and move forward with new opportunities. 10

News and Notes from the State Law Library

What is Post-Truth Jury Decision Making?

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MISCELLANY 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 6 MEMBER NEWS 8 STATE BAR NEWS 15 ETHICS OPINION 17 LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Craig D. Charlton, Helena Anna M. Kecskes, Helena Lindsey R. Simon, Helena Area G Sherine D. Blackford, Bozeman Matthew A. Haus, Bozeman Area H Shane P. Coleman, Billings Eli J. Patten, Billings Michelle Sullivan, Billings ABA DELEGATES Michael Klepperich, ABA Delegate ( Young Law yers’ Division ) Matt Thiel, Missoula (Statewide Delegate) Tucker Gannett, Billings (State Bar Delegate)

23 TECH TIPS 24 RISK MANAGEMENT 25 COURT NEWS 27 IN MEMORIAM 28 JOBS/CLASSIFIEDS