JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE... RESPECT IT. We are the Montana members of the American Board of Trial Advocates. ABOTA is an organization of experienced courtroom attorneys, vetted by their peers, who are dedicated to protecting judicial independence and the right to jury trial and promoting civility and professionalism. We are made up equally of plaintiff lawyers and defense lawyers and come from across Montana, ABOTA does not favor one side or the other, it works to secure a fair and just legal system for everyone. We are concerned by recent attempts by some officials to politicize, intimidate, and dominate our courts and judges. While we have our disagreements among us, we unanimously believe that the independence of the judicial branch and respect for our Courts is essential--not only to a fair and just legal system but to the liberties guaranteed to us by the constitutions of Montana and the United States of America. Monte Beck Ron Bender Bill Bennett Randy Bishop Zander Blewett John Bohyer Mike Cok Adam Duerk Cliff Edwards Ben Everett Jim Goetz Sean Goicoechea Paul Haffeman Steve Harman Matt Hayhurst Gary Kalkstein. Tom Lewis Dennis Conner Randy Cox Lon Dale Max Davis Dexter Delaney Curt Drake WE ARE NOT ALONE. "There is no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers" -Founding Father Alexander Hamilton Marshal Mickelson Mikel Moore Susan Moriarity Miltko "We Americans must never give up this particular battle: the independence of the judiciary -President Ronald Reagan "I believe that an independent judiciary is the crown jewel of our constitutional republic." -US, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh "A free people cannot and will not exist without the complete independence of the judiciary" -Montana Governor Marc Racicot "The reality is that our independent judiciary is the most respected branch of our government and the envy of the world." -Ted Olson, Assistant Attorney General under President Ronald Reagan, Solicitor General under President George W. Bush "I do not see Republican judges, and I do not see Democrat judges. I see judges. -Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch "President Ronald Reagan used to speak of the Soviet constitution, and he noted that it purported to grant wonderful rights of all sorts to people. But those rights were empty promises, because that system did not have PAID ADVERTISEMENT John Morrison Jon Moyers Randy Nelson Nick Pagnotta Mark Parker Bob Phillips Natasha Prinzing Jones Guy Rogers Bill Rossbach Len Smith Cal Stacey Mark Williams Doug Wold an independent judiciary to uphold the rule of law and enforce those rights." -Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts "Independence from political passions is the cornerstone of our judiciary in our country...Judicial independence is what enables courts to do justice even when it is unpopular, to protect constitutional rights even when powerful interests want them infringed." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY AND URGE THEM TO RESPECT JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE. 406-444-4800. "Judicial independence was established to make the courts independent of the other branches and independent of popular view." Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley "Our justice system and the very Rule of Law depend on the independence and authority of the judiciary -US Attorney General Jeff Sessions "Our effectiveness relies on the knowledge that we won't be subject to retaliation for our judicial acts.... If you believe, as [James Madison and I do, that the courts are important guardians of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms in our common law system, you know that the system breaks down without judicial independence." Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Paid for by: American Board of Trial Advocates JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE ... RESPECT IT . We are the Montana members of the American Board of Trial Advocates . ABOTA is an organization of experienced courtroom attorneys , vetted by their peers , who are dedicated to protecting judicial independence and the right to jury trial and promoting civility and professionalism . We are made up equally of plaintiff lawyers and defense lawyers and come from across Montana , ABOTA does not favor one side or the other , it works to secure a fair and just legal system for everyone . We are concerned by recent attempts by some officials to politicize , intimidate , and dominate our courts and judges . While we have our disagreements among us , we unanimously believe that the independence of the judicial branch and respect for our Courts is essential -- not only to a fair and just legal system but to the liberties guaranteed to us by the constitutions of Montana and the United States of America . Monte Beck Ron Bender Bill Bennett Randy Bishop Zander Blewett John Bohyer Mike Cok Adam Duerk Cliff Edwards Ben Everett Jim Goetz Sean Goicoechea Paul Haffeman Steve Harman Matt Hayhurst Gary Kalkstein . Tom Lewis Dennis Conner Randy Cox Lon Dale Max Davis Dexter Delaney Curt Drake WE ARE NOT ALONE . " There is no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers " -Founding Father Alexander Hamilton Marshal Mickelson Mikel Moore Susan Moriarity Miltko " We Americans must never give up this particular battle : the independence of the judiciary -President Ronald Reagan " I believe that an independent judiciary is the crown jewel of our constitutional republic . " -US , Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh " A free people cannot and will not exist without the complete independence of the judiciary " -Montana Governor Marc Racicot " The reality is that our independent judiciary is the most respected branch of our government and the envy of the world . " -Ted Olson , Assistant Attorney General under President Ronald Reagan , Solicitor General under President George W. Bush " I do not see Republican judges , and I do not see Democrat judges . I see judges . -Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch " President Ronald Reagan used to speak of the Soviet constitution , and he noted that it purported to grant wonderful rights of all sorts to people . But those rights were empty promises , because that system did not have PAID ADVERTISEMENT John Morrison Jon Moyers Randy Nelson Nick Pagnotta Mark Parker Bob Phillips Natasha Prinzing Jones Guy Rogers Bill Rossbach Len Smith Cal Stacey Mark Williams Doug Wold an independent judiciary to uphold the rule of law and enforce those rights . " -Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts " Independence from political passions is the cornerstone of our judiciary in our country ... Judicial independence is what enables courts to do justice even when it is unpopular , to protect constitutional rights even when powerful interests want them infringed . " Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY AND URGE THEM TO RESPECT JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE . 406-444-4800 . " Judicial independence was established to make the courts independent of the other branches and independent of popular view . " Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley " Our justice system and the very Rule of Law depend on the independence and authority of the judiciary -US Attorney General Jeff Sessions " Our effectiveness relies on the knowledge that we won't be subject to retaliation for our judicial acts .... If you believe , as [ James Madison and I do , that the courts are important guardians of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms in our common law system , you know that the system breaks down without judicial independence . " Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Paid for by : American Board of Trial Advocates