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 on Friday, September 6th, 2024 from 10:00 to Noon.
The meeting will be held via Zoom video conference (with an option to call in as well).
To enhance the security of the meeting, you must register in advance for this meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqc-itpz4oE9UcyTmXL1PmVZvkiYy3xUhp
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Justice Beth Baker, Chair | Montana Supreme Court | Term expires: 30-Sep-2024 |
| Ed Bartlett | Business/Communications Leader | Term expires: 30-Sep-2024 |
| Lillian Alvernaz | Representative of Native American communities | Term expires: 30-Sep-2025 |
| Hon. David A. Carter | Court of Limited Jurisdiction Judge | Term expires: 30-Sep-2026 |
| Rick Cook | Clerk of a District Court | Term expires: 30-Sep-2026 |
| Hon. Stacie FourStar | Montana-Wyoming Tribal Judges Association | Term expires: 30-Sep-2025 |
| Sen. Wendy McKamey | Montana Senate | Term expires: 30-Sep-2026 |
| Aimee Grmoljez | Business/Communications Leader | Term expires: 30-Sep-2026 |
| Hon. Leslie Halligan | District Court Judge | Term expires: 30-Sep-2026 |
| Kekek Stark | Assistant Professor of Law Alexander Blewett III School of Law University of Montana | Term expires: 30-Sep-2024 |
| Hon. John Kutzman | District Court Judge | Term expires: 30-Sep-2024 |
| Katy Lovell | Aging Services Bureau | Term expires: 30-Sep-2025 |
| Juli Pierce | State Bar of Montana | Term expires: 30-Sep-2025 |
| Margaret Weamer | Montana Justice Foundation | Term expires: 30-Sep-2025 |
| Alison Paul | Montana Legal Services Association | Term expires: 30-Sep-2025 |
| Olivia Riutta | Representative of organizations working with low-income individuals | Term expires: 30-Sep-2024 |
| Jacob Griffith | Attorney General’s Office | Term expires: 30-Sep-2024 |
| Rep. Laura Smith | Montana House of Representatives | Term expires: 30-Sep-2026 |
Forum locations and dates:
Kalispell - Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015
Great Falls - Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015
2023 Biennial Report of the Montana Access to Justice Commission
2021 Biennial Report of the Montana Access to Justice Commission
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 - (8-30-2023) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS
Order - (6-30-2023) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS
Addendum to Pilot Report - (6-23-2023) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS
Pilot Report - (5-26-2023) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS
Order on Pilot Project with Guidelines - (8-17-2021) IN RE THE ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING PILOT INFORMAL DOMESTIC RELATIONS TRIALS
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
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.