Court Opinion

ID: 9841007
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-20 20:09:07.567737+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:33:56.151377
License: Public Domain

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                                                                                                 09/19/2023

             IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF git.TgNi3                                  Case Number: PR 23-0232

                                        PR 23-0232
                                                                      SEP 1 9 2023
                                                                    Bowen Cir- -enwood
                                                                  Clerk of Sup orne L;curt
                                                                     State nf 0Jt ontana
 IN RE MOTION FOR ADMISSION UPON UNIFORM
                                                                                  ORDER
 BAR EXAMINATION SCORE TRANSFER

       Benjamin C. Thompson has filed a petition for admission to the State Bar of
Montana pursuant to Rule IV of the Rules for Admission to the Bar of the State of Montana,
governing admission upon Uniform Bar Examination score transfer. The Bar Admissions
Administrator of the State Bar of Montana has informed the Court that the Commission on
Character and Fitness has certified that Thompson has provided the necessary
documentation and has satisfied the requirements prerequisite to admission under Rule IV
of the Rules for Admission to the State Bar of Montana.
       Thompson has also requested permission to be sworn in by Justice of the Peace
Jeanne Walker of the Thirteenth Judicial District, Yellowstone County.
       Upon consideration of the petition,
       IT IS ORDERED that upon payment of any application fees and competition of any
other processing requirements as set forth by the Bar Admissions Administrator, Benjamin
C. Thompson may be sworn in to the practice of law in the State of Montana.
       However, Rule X(D) of the Rules of Admission provides that in-jurisdiction
swearing-in must be administered by "the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court or by any
district judge in the state of Montana." (Emphasis added.) Therefore, a justice of the peace
is not authorized to administer the oath under the Rules. Therefore, Thompson's request
to be sworn in to the practice of law by a Yellowstone County Justice of the Peace is
DENIED. Other arrangements for swearing-in may be made by contacting the office of
the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court.
       The Clerk is directed to provide copies of this order to the Petitioner and the State
Bar of Montana.
DATED this   day of Septernber, 2023.

                                           Chief Justice

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