Montana State Legislature

SJ 31 - Interim Study of Attorney Regulation and the State Bar

Legislative Council assigned the Senate Joint Resolution No. 31 study to the Law & Justice Interim Committee. The study ranked fifth among the polled studies.

July 2023:

The committee adopted its work plan and selected a moderate level of study.

Meeting Materials: N/A

November 2023:

Staff provided an overview of the State Bar's role and structure, the admission process, and the various boards and commissions involved in attorney regulation in Montana. The committee heard a presentation from the State Bar of Montana, including Executive Director John Mudd, and lobbyist for the State Bar, Bruce Spencer.

Meeting Materials:

SJ 31
State Bar Role & Structure - Sara Hess, Research Analyst
Becoming a Lawyer in Montana - Sara Hess
Attorney Regulation: Players in Admission, Education, and Discipline
Memo from State Bar of Montana - John Mudd, E.D. and Bruce Spencer

February 2024:

The committee heard from a panel of stakeholders concerning alternative pathways to bar admission, and staff presented alternative pathways utilized in other states.

Meeting materials:

Purdue Global Online Law School and Access to Justice slides, Martin Pritikin, Purdue Global
Alternative Pathways to Practice Law, Laura Sherley, LSD
Nine Facts to Know about the American Bar Association and Accreditation on of Online Legal Education Programs
Testimony- Steven Bahls, Council Member, Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of American Bar Association
University of Montana Law School Exhibit - Elaine Gagliardi, Dean of the University of Montana School of Law

Additional resources: