Cziok honored for outstanding contribution to Montana Lawyer

Helena lawyer Abbie Cziok was selected for the 2019 Frank I. Haswell Award for her series of legal writing columns for the Montana Lawyer.

Cziok is an associate at Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven’s Helena office. Her column, “Legal Jargon,” has appeared regularly in the Montana Lawyer since November 2018.

“I’m honored to be selected, and I’m grateful to be a part of this wonderful Montana legal community,” Cziok said.

The State Bar’s Past Presidents Committee, chose the winner. It will be presented at the bar’s Annual Meeting in Billings in September.

“I caught myself smiling, even laughing, at the word play,” District Judge Shane Vannatta, a committee member, said of Cziok’s columns.

The committee also gave honorable memtion to P. Mars Scott of Missoula for his article on delivering bad news to clients (June/July 2018), citing it as great, practical advice on improving lawyering; and to Mike Talia’s article talking with clients about cybersecurity awareness (January 2019), calling it a timely, impactful article.

The Haswell Award is given annually for the best contribution to the Montana Lawyer. It includes a cash award, endowed by former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Haswell upon his death in 1990.