The majority of cases before the Montana Supreme Court are decided based upon the written briefs submitted by the parties. However, the Court may decide that a case requires further discussion, in addition to what the parties have argued in their written briefs. In such cases, oral arguments are scheduled in open session before the Court. Approximately 15 cases a year are scheduled for oral argument.
Oral arguments are tightly structured and timed. The counsel for each party is allowed limited time to make an argument. The times typically range from 20 to 40 minutes and are set forth by the Court in the order setting oral argument.
While this format allows the counsel brief opportunity to further develop their arguments, it also gives the Court an opportunity to ask questions of the attorneys on points which the Court needs clarification.
A majority of oral arguments take place in the Montana Supreme Court Courtroom, located at 215 N. Sanders, Helena, Montana. The Court does schedule a few arguments to be heard in different cities around the State. See the list of scheduled oral arguments below.
All oral arguments are open to the public.
Click here to see list of previous oral arguments
MICHAEL L. GOGUEN, Plaintiff, Appellee, and Cross-Appellant, v. NYP HOLDINGS, INC., ISABEL VINCENT, and DOES 1 through 100, Defendants and Appellants, and WILLIAM DIAL, Defendant and Cross-Appellee. Oral Argument is set for Friday, September 15, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the Northern Hotel in Billings, with an introduction to the oral argument beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Live-streamed through the Court’s website at http://stream.vision.net/MT-JUD/
In November 2021, the New York Post published an article that recounted accusations of sexual abuse, tax fraud, and corruption made against Michael L. Goguen in two lawsuits. At the time of publication, one suit had been dismissed and the plaintiff barred from repeating allegations the court had found false and defamatory. The plaintiff in the other lawsuit had recently pled guilty to felonies that stemmed from his victimization of Goguen. However, the Post’s article, published on its website under the category “Blackmail, Sex Scandals and Silicon Valley,” and in its print edition with the headline “ ‘He’s Like Weinstein or Epstein’ A civil complaint alleges billionaire kept harem, had sex with 5,000 women and planned murder in small town,” included allegations that Goguen had “transformed” Whitefish into a “dark banana republic” where he committed sexual assault and controlled local law enforcement, which prevented Goguen’s alleged victims from obtaining justice. The article also quoted William Dial, a former Whitefish Police Chief who had resigned while under investigation.
Goguen immediately responded to the website article by submitting online comments. The Post then published a second article that reiterated the accusations of its initial article, with the addition of some of Goguen’s comments. Goguen’s attorney then demanded a correction and apology from the Post. The Post refused. Goguen then filed a Complaint for Defamation in the Flathead County District Court, against the Post, the journalist who wrote the initial article, and Dial.
The Post and Dial each moved to dismiss on the basis that the article was not defamatory. The court granted Dial’s motion but denied the Post’s, ruling that whether the article was fair, true and published without malice are questions of fact for a jury. Goguen appeals Dial’s dismissal and the Post appeals the District Court’s ruling to proceed to trial.
LITTLE BIG WARM RANCH, LLC, and MARK FRENCH, Plaintiffs, Appellants, and Cross-Appellees, v. WILFRED L. DOLL, Defendant, Appellee, and Cross-Appellant, and BRIAN ROBINSON, Defendant. Oral Argument is set for Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the courtroom of the Montana Supreme Court, Joseph P. Mazurek Justice Building, Helena, Montana.
Live-streamed through the Court’s website at http://stream.vision.net/MT-JUD/
Little Big Warm Ranch and Wilfred Doll each have water rights to the Big Warm Creek with the same priority date. The Water Court previously determined, and the Montana Supreme Court affirmed, that LBWR has a share of 22.46% of the water, Doll has a 62.17% share, and another user has a 15.36% share that is subordinate to LBWR’s and Doll’s rights. When sufficient water is present in the Creek, LBWR may divert up to 4.49 CFS and Doll may divert up to 12.43 CFS. Both LBWR and Doll can divert water at the Ester Headgate, and Doll has additional points of diversion available downstream.
In summer 2021, during low water flow, LBWR diverted 100% of the creek, totaling less than 4.49 CFS, at the headgate. After the Water Court ordered the headgate reopened to maintain the status quo, LBWR argued that if Doll chose not to divert water for his use at the headgate, then he was entitled only to whatever remained in the creek after LBWR diverts up to 4.49 CFS at the headgate. LBWR asserted that the percentages were merely illustrative of the Water Court’s apportionment of LBWR’s and Doll’s decreed rights that had once been under common ownership.
The Water Court disagreed with LBWR, concluding that Montana courts apply first in time, first in right—not first in diversion—to administer decreed water rights. It directed the Water Administrator that, during times when the creek is flowing less than 12.5 CFS at the headgate, 22.46% of the flow be diverted for LBWR’s use with 62.17% of the flow left instream for Doll’s use downstream.
LBWR appeals the Water Court’s rulings. Doll has cross-appealed on the issue of attorney fees.