The Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806 explored the Montana area, but didn’t stay long. In 1841, Roman Catholic missionaries established what was probably the first permanent settlement, Saint Mary’s Mission. It was eventually renamed Stevensville and still exists today, as a tiny town of about 1,553 people. Less than fifty years later, Montana became the 41st state, on November 8, 1889.

Like most states in the area, Montana is large in physical size, at 145,552 square miles but small in population, with only about 975,000 residents. Ten percent of those people live in the state’s largest city, Billings. Almost 27,900 people call Helena, the capital, home.

Montana Legal Resources

Lawyers and members of the public can use the following resources to find answers to their legal questions.

State Bar of Montana: Membership in the State Bar is mandatory for all lawyers wishing to practice law in Montana. The Bar provides a variety of programs to its members and the public, including continuing legal education, legal research resources, a fee arbitration program, lawyer referral service and general informational pamphlets.

Montana Judicial Branch: The Judicial Branch strives to make justice accessible to everyone, and its website provides general information about the courts and how to navigate the system. It also offers access to the court calendar, docket, opinions and briefs, and state codes.

Montana State Law Library: The law library website provides access to various state and federal law resources. It also allows you to search the library’s online catalog as well as other libraries in the state.

Resources for Legal Marketers in Montana

Law firms need marketing, just like any other business, and legal marketers need to stay up-to-date with the latest tools and strategies to showcase their firms strengths. The following resources can help.

Legal Marketing Association: The LMA, a not-for-profit organization, offers support, educational resources, an online job bank and more to help its members grow both their own careers and their law firms’ reputations. The LMA does not have a local chapter in Montana, but LMA International provides its members with a wealth of benefits.

Association of Legal Administrators: The ALA was formed in 1971 to help professionals engaged in managing legal services firms improve their skills and the efficiency of their firms. It provides educational and certification opportunities to its members.

Legal Marketing Jobs: Find legal marketing jobs in Montana