Montana Lawyer October/November 2025

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025 VOL. 50 ISS. 5

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 nonmembers are available for $50 per year. Ad rates and subscription information are available by emailing montanalawyer@mon tanabar.org. Statements and expressions of opinion ap pearing 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 Aislinn W. Brown, Helena President-Elect Albert “Rich” Batterman, Baker Secretary-Treasurer Erica R. Grinde, Missoula Immediate Past President Antoinette “Toni” Tease, Billings 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 Beth A. Carmain, Miles City Area F

Ask Karla: Pro Bono Made Easy

New Data on Jurors and Proximate Cause 10 With Montana’s civil legal needs far outpacing available resources, Ask Karla offers a simple, flexible way for attorneys to give back—without taking on a full case. Developed by the Montana Legal Services Association, the platform allows lawyers to anonymously answer civil legal ques tions from low-income Montanans anytime, anywhere. Whether it’s a 30-minute landlord-ten ant issue or a quick family law question, every response helps close the justice gap. Learn how Ask Karla makes pro bono work accessible, secure, and impact ful for Montana’s busy attorneys.

Community Justice Workers: Utilizing the Boots on the Ground to Fill the Justice Gap MISCELLANY 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 6 MEMBER NEWS 8 PARALEGAL SECTION 19 TECH TIPS

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Craig D. Charlton, Helena Anna M. Kecskes, Helena Deanna L. Rothwell, 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 Lawyers’ Division ) Matt Thiel, Missoula (Statewide Delegate) Tucker Gannett, Billings (State Bar Delegate)

20 ISK MANAGEMENT 22 COURT NEWS 25 IN MEMORIAM 26 JOBS/CLASSIFIEDS