Montana Lawyer October/November 2024

50 Years of Legal Legacy: Award Winners and Highlights from the State Bar of Montana’s 2024 Annual Meeting

The 2024 State Bar Awards Banquet, gen erously sponsored this year by ALPS, began with a warm welcome from John Mudd, the State Bar of Montana’s Executive Director, Mudd expressed his gratitude to the past presidents, executive committee members, and trustees for their service and for join ing the celebration. His opening remarks set the tone for a night dedicated to reflection, recognition, and celebrating the Bar’s 50th anniversary. Toni Tease, the president-elect, delivered her “Reflections on the Role of Lawyers in a Democracy,” emphasizing that lawyers serve as a critical “fifth pillar” of democracy, alongside the legislature, executive, judi ciary, and media. Lawyers, she explained, play a key role in maintaining checks and balances between branches of government and preserving public trust in the justice system. (See President’s Message, page 4.)

From left to right: Carey Matovich, William J. Jameson Award; Jean Faure, George L. Bousliman Award; Honorable Benjamin Hursh, Karla M. Gray Equal Justice Award; Meri Althauser, Frank I. Haswell Award; D. Michael Eakin, Neil Haight Pro Bono Award.

Karla M. Gray Equal Justice Award Alissa Chambers, Executive Director of the Montana Justice Foundation, introduced Judge Benjamin Hursh as the recipient of the Karla Gray Award, highlighting his deep commitment to pro bono work and access to justice. She shared personal anecdotes about how Judge Hursh, as a partner at Crowley Fleck, PLLP, gave young lawyers like her a voice and a platform to engage in pro bono efforts. Since becoming a bankruptcy judge in 2017, Hursh has continued his dedication by collaborating on projects like a bankruptcy clinic for low-income individuals and improv ing access for pro se litigants. "Ben doesn’t just volunteer to help—he shows up, and he gives his all." - Alissa Chambers Hursh’s speech focused less on himself and more on his expe riences with pro bono clients. He emphasized the impact that pro bono work has had on his life and how it shaped his commitment to reducing barriers for those without legal representation. Hursh also expressed deep gratitude for his colleagues at Montana Legal Services and for the institutions that shaped his career. "A lot of people in our communities, just needed a little help navigating the legal system, and more importantly, navigating life." Frank I. Haswell Award Erica Grinde, State Bar Secretary-Treasurer, introduced Meri Althauser as the recipient of the Frank Haswell Award, recog nizing her outstanding contributions to The Montana Lawyer publication. Althauser has consistently written articles since 2020, focusing on lawyer well-being, offering vital reminders

While acknowledging that public perception of lawyers is not always positive, Tease stressed the vital role lawyers play as prob lem solvers and champions of justice. Tease also addressed two recent Montana ballot initiatives, CI-124 and CI-125, that proposed changes to legal regulation and prosecutorial discretion. She urged the legal community to reflect on the motivations behind these initiatives and to explore ways to broaden access to the legal profession while ensuring consumer protections. She called for innovative solutions such as support ing accredited online law programs or alternative Bar admission pathways. "Having been granted the privilege of practicing law, it is incumbent upon each of us to wield our influence and use our intelligence to bring about a more just society." - Toni Tease Neil Haight Pro Bono Award Past President, David Steele introduced Michael Eakin as the 2024 Neil Haight Pro Bono Award recipient, recognizing his nearly 50 years of legal service, often providing representation to those in need with little or no compensation. Eakin, who spent 30 years with the Montana Legal Services Association, is noted for his dedication to low-income families and tribal members, his ethical standards, and his significant legal victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in Babbitt v. Youpee . "I tell my clients I'm a lawyer—I don't think I could afford a lawyer. So, you know, help those not only that can pay nothing but also those that can't pay the full rack rate." - Michael Eakin

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