Montana Lawyer August/September 2025

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Embracing the Future of Law in Montana

law students. Mentorship, continuing legal education, and a healthy work-life balance are essential to developing resilient, well-prepared attorneys. At the same time, we cannot ignore the pressures attorneys face. Mental health and well-being are professional issues, not personal ones, and the future of our profession depends on how seriously we take care of our own. Rural Practice & Community Roots Montana’s character is deeply tied to its rural communities. As small-town law practices face succession and sustainability challenges, we must explore creative ways to support lawyers who choose to serve in these areas—whether through incentives, clerkships, or community partnerships. A strong rural bar ensures a strong Montana justice system. Looking Ahead Together The future of the practice of law in Montana will be shaped by our choices today. We must be bold enough to evolve, humble enough to listen, and steadfast enough to preserve the core values of our profession: justice, service, and the rule of law. As your President, I have been honored to work alongside each of you as we meet these changes with determination and vision. I will be passing the baton to a new bar President this month, but I will remain actively involved with the State Bar as a member of the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Past Presidents Committee. I would like to thank you all for the confidence you have placed in me to head this august organization over the past year. I would also like to thank the bar staff for making it possible for me to fulfill my obliga tions in this role. The views expressed in this President’s Message are those of the State Bar President. They do not neces sarily reflect the views of all State Bar members and are not an official position of the State Bar itself.

As we look toward the future of the legal profession in Montana, it’s clear that we are at a pivotal moment—a time of both challenge and opportunity. The legal landscape is evolving more rapidly than ever before, driven by technological innovation, changing client expectations, demo graphic shifts, and the increasing demand for greater access to justice. In the face of this change, Montana’s legal community has a unique oppor tunity—and responsibility—to lead with integrity, adaptability, and a commitment to service. Technology & Innovation Advancements in technology are reshap ing the way we practice law. From AI-assisted research tools to virtual courtrooms, Montana lawyers must be equipped to harness these tools while upholding our ethical responsibilities. We should encourage thoughtful integration of technology into our practices—improving efficiency, reducing costs, and expanding access, particularly in our rural and underserved com munities. As we adapt, our goal must remain constant: providing clients with competent, diligent, and ethical representation. Access to Justice The future of our profession must be in clusive. Access to justice is not a luxury—it’s a promise. Many Montanans still struggle to obtain legal help for critical issues such as hous ing, family law, and public benefits. We must strengthen our support for pro bono work, invest in legal aid infrastructure, and consider responsible innovations in service delivery, such as limited-scope representation and alternative dispute resolution. Justice should never be out of reach because of geography or income. Workforce & Well-Being We must also invest in the future stewards of our profession—our young lawyers and

Toni Tease is a registered patent attorney and a solo practitioner who special izes in intellectual property law. Her office is located in Billings, Montana, and her website is at www. teaselaw.com.

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MEDIATOR and SETTLEMENT MASTER David J Steele II (406) 541-4940

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