Montana Lawyer August/September 2025

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025 VOL. 50 ISS. 4

IN THIS ISSUE

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

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STATE BAR OF MONTANA’S 2025 AWARD WINNERS Winners of the State Bar of Montana’s 2024 Annual Awards are (left to right) Former Chief Justice Mike McGrath , William J. Jameson Award; the Honorable Jessica Fehr , Karla M. Gray Equal Justice Award; Lt. Governor Kristen Juras , George L. Bousliman Professionalism Award; (row two) Mike Talia , Neil Haight Pro Bono Award; and Molly Considine , Frank I. Haswell Award.

A New Vision for Justice: State Bar of Montana Charts Path Forward with 2025–2027 Strategic Plan MISCELLANY 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 6 MEMBER NEWS 7 PARALEGAL SECTION 10 FOR YOUR REFERENCE

A Summary of Recent Findings from the State Bar’s Task Force Report

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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)

17 JURY ECONOMICS 22 RISK MANAGEMENT 23 IN MEMORIAM 25 JOBS/CLASSIFIEDS