Student, state bars continue successful partnership During the school year, the State Bar and Student Bar Association coordinate panel discussions for students at the University of Montana School of Law. The topics vary depending on student interest. All presentations are sponsored by the State Bar and the Student Bar Association. They take place over the noon hour at the law school. The Bar invites the participants, organizes the event and buys pizza; the student bar association gives us the topics, provides drinks, advertises the program and reserves the room. “We are grateful to the Bar for reaching out to our students with these programs and increasing their opportunity to ask questions and to benefit from the wide array of experiences represented by the speakers. The University of Montana School of Law is proud to partner with the Montana State Bar for acts of mentorship, outreach, education, and service,” says Dean Irma Russell. State Bar President Shane Vannatta shares similar sentiments, “Participating in the State Bar presentations is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy the opportunity to help shape the next generation of attorneys, and walk away with renewed enthusiasm for the practice of law.” Here’s a quick breakdown of topics and presenters from the final panel for the 2011/2012 school year in April: State Bar History and Overview: Chris Manos, Shane Vannatta, Matt Thiel, Tammy Wyatt Shaw. Clerkship Panel — How to Apply to be a Law Clerk/ What You Do Once You are Hired: Justice Nelson, Justice Baker, Judge Todd, Jori Quinlan (Frackie), Hillary Wandler, and Robin Turner (as past law clerks).
NEWS, Continued
Water Judge Bruce Loble will work together to finish this project, which is vital to water users and recreationists in Montana.” The Associate Judge position was created by the 2011 Legislature to expedite the adjudication of water rights in Montana. The Water Court was created www.montanabar.org
State Bar Executive Director Chris Manos and new-lawyer panelists address Law School Students at a recent State Bar/Student Bar presentation. The panelists are Robin Turner, Randy Tanner, Ross McLinden, Erica Grinde, Jordan Kilby, and Dylan McFarland, (Mike Talia appeared by video).
Nontraditional Practice Panel — How to Get This Kind of Job, the Upside and the Downside: Jon Bennion, lobbyist Montana Chamber of Commerce; Kathleen Magone vice president in wealth management with U.S. Bank; Michael Magone Lolo School District K-8 superintendent; Susan Witte, Regulatory and Compliance Office for the Montana University System, former in-house corporate counsel and lobbyist; Jennifer Lutey WorldWide IDEA Executive Director. New Lawyers: What I Wish Had Known ... — Robin Turner, Randy Tanner, Ross McLinden, Erica Grinde,
Jordan Kilby, and Dylan McFarland, Mike Talia appeared by video. Pro Bono and Community Service Opportunities: Judge Kurt Krueger; Shane Vannatta, State Bar President; Amy Sings In The Timber, Montana Justice Foundation; Beth Hayes, Montana Legal Services Association in Missoula; Janice Frankino Doggett, Equal Justice Coordinator, State Bar of Montana; Associate Dean Andrew King-Ries, cochair of the Equal Justice Task Force; Technology and Practice: Betsy Brandborg, State Bar counsel, moderated a panel that included Joe Sullivan and Stacy Gordon.
by the 1979 Montana Legislature. It has exclusive jurisdiction over the adjudication of all water-rights claims in Montana. More than 200,000 water rights claims will eventually be adjudicated through the Water Court. McElyea, of Bozeman, is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Moonlight Basin Resort. Prior to his time at Moonlight Basin, he practiced primarily
water and real estate law in Bozeman. He received this law degree from the University of Colorado and bachelor’s degree in economics from Northern Arizona University. McElyea is active in a variety of recreational pursuits with a special interest in shooting sports. McElyea’s appointment is for a fouryear term. He will earn $113,928 per year.
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