PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND CANNOT REPLACE THE ADVICE OF A LAWYER. This page provides legal information and resources only.
The next meeting of the Montana Access to Justice Commission will take place next Friday, September 17, from 10 am to 12:00 pm. The meeting will be held via Zoom video conference (with an option to call in as well). To enhance the security of the meeting as much as possible, you must register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlcOiprjosGdQqLoMJbiYbm4P9Q5Mw_rft. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Montana Supreme Court established the Access to Justice Commission (ATJC) on May 22, 2012. The purpose of the Montana Access to Justice Commission is to develop, coordinate, and implement initiatives to expand access to and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters.
As members of the Montana Access to Justice Commission, we believe:
Access to justice depends on the availability of affordable legal information and services, including assistance and representation when needed.
Barriers to access to justice must be prevented, removed, or reduced.
Court users should have access to justice through full participation in the judicial process, regardless of their socio-economic status, English language proficiency, cultural background, legal representation status, or other circumstances.
A coordinated and comprehensive statewide system for delivering legal services must be maintained. The justice system must collaborate with other persons, professions, and organizations to meet the legal and law-related needs of the public.
Public legal education must be provided to create and sustain an informed and empowered public and to build broad support for access to justice.
Public awareness of the importance of civil legal services is needed to expand justice.
Access to justice requires adequate funding, resources, and support.
Adequate and sustained public and private funding, resources, and support must be provided to assure access to justice for low-and moderate-income and other vulnerable persons.
| Member Name | Representing | Expiration of Term |
|---|---|---|
| Stuart Segrest | Office of the Attorney General | 30-Sep-2021 |
| Rep. Katie Sullivan | Montana House of Representatives | 30-Sep-2023 |
| Senator Terry Gauthier | Montana Senate | 30-Sep-2023 |
| Justice Beth Baker | Montana Supreme Court Justice | 30-Sep-2021 |
| Hon. Leslie Halligan | District Court Judge | 30-Sep-2023 |
| Hon. John Kutzman | District Court Judge | 30-Sep-2021 |
| Hon. David A. Carter | Court of Limited Jurisdiction Judge | 30-Sep-2023 |
| Rick Cook | Clerk of a District Court | 30-Sep-2023 |
| Hon. Stacie FourStar | Montana-Wyoming Tribal Judges Association | 30-Sep-2022 |
| Kyle Nelson | Montana Justice Foundation | 30-Sep-2022 |
| Alison Paul | Montana Legal Services Association | 30-Sep-2022 |
| Dan McLean | State Bar of Montana | 30-Sep-2022 |
| Dean Paul F. Kirgis | University of Montana School of Law | 30-Sep-2021 |
| Ed Bartlett | Business/Communications leader | 30-Sep-2021 |
| Aimee Grmoljez | Business/Communications leader | 30-Sep-2023 |
| Melanie Reynolds | Representative of organizations working with low-income individuals | 30-Sep-2021 |
| Georgette Boggio | Representative of Native American communities | 30-Sep-2022 |
| Katy Lovell | Aging Services Bureau | 30-Sep-2022 |
Forum locations and dates:
Kalispell - Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015
Great Falls - Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015
2019 Biennial Report of the Montana Access to Justice Commission
2017 Biennial Report of the Montana Access to Justice Commission
Access to Justice Biennial Report to the Montana Supreme Court
Economic Impact Civil Legal Aid Final Report
Economic Impact Civil Legal Aid Executive Summary
Voluntary Pro Bono Reporting for Bar Applicants Report
The Justice Gap in Montana final report July 2014
Justice Gap Summary - Professional
Justice Gap Summary - Layperson
Assessment of Legal Needs of Elders in Montana
Montana Access to Justice Commission (STRATEGIC PLANNING REPORT)
Order - (9-15-2015) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Order - (2-3-2015) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Order - (12-2-2014) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Order - (4-22-2014) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Order - (2-18-2014) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Order - (12-3-2014) IN RE THE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING A PRO BONO REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO THE MONTANA BAR
Order - (11-26-2014) IN RE THE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING A PRO BONO REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO THE MONTANA BAR
Order - (11-15-2014) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Order - (7-3-2013) IN RE THE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING A PRO BONO REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO THE MONTANA BAR
Order - (10-9-2012) IN RE THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Order - (9-18-2012) IN RE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INITIAL MEMBERS OF THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Order - (5-22-2012) IN RE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Committee on Self-Represented Litigants
Strategic Planning:
Members: Niki Zupanic (Chair), Hon. Beth Baker, Hon. David Carter, Ann Goldes-Sheahan, Alison Paul, Melanie Reynolds, Debra Steigerwalt
The Access to Justice Commission is proposing a bill to the 2019 Montana Legislature that would use some court filing fees to improve court efficiency and effectiveness by providing legal information and assistance to ordinary Montanans who cannot afford an attorney to help with their civil legal problems.