Montana Lawyer December 2024/January 2025

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024/2025 VOL. 49 ISS. 6

FEATURE ARTICLES

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 nonmembers are available for $50 per year. Ad rates and subscription information are avail able at www.montanabar.org/page/MTLawyer. Statements and expressions of opinion appear ing in the Montana Lawyer are those of the ad vertisers 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 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 Jones, Missoula Area C Kaylan C. Minor, Dillon Area D Anthony Gallagher, Great Falls Claire Lettow, Great Falls Area E Albert “Rich” Batterman, Baker Area F

Chief Justice Mike McGrath Retires After 50 Years of Distinguished Service to Montana

9

The Lost Land of Proximate Cause

How to Have a Long and Successful Career as an Attorney

14

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Position Vacant, Helena Anna Kecskes, Helena Lindsey Simon, Helena Area G Sherine Blackford, Bozeman Matthew Haus, Bozeman Area H Shane P. Coleman, Billings Eli Patten, Billings Michelle Sulivan, Billings ABA DELEGATES Michael Klepperich, ABA Delegate ( Young Lawyers’ Division ) Matt Thiel, Missoula (Statewide Delegate) Tucker Gannett, Billings (State Bar Delegate)

18 PRACTICING WELL 23 COURT NEWS 25 IN MEMORIUM 26 JOBS/CLASSIFIEDS

6 MEMBER NEWS 8 STATE BAR NEWS 11 ELECTION NEWS