Court Opinion

ID: 9395252
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-05-17 16:07:01.306395+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:06.614491
License: Public Domain

05/17/2023

             IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
                                                                                         Case Number: PR 07-0303

                                         PR 23-0005
                                                                          MAY 16 2023
                                                                        Bowen Gr,-,enwood
                                                                      Clerk of Supreme Court
                                                                         State of Montana
IN RE PETITION OF LEIGH FRATTOLILLIO
FOR TEMPORARY ADMISSION TO THE BAR                                     ORDER
OF THE STATE OF MONTANA.

       Leigh Frattolillio has petitioned for temporary admission to the practice of law in
Montana pending admission upon examination. Frattolillio passed the Montana Bar
Examination in February 2023, and is scheduled to take the Multistate Professional
Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in August 2023.                Frattolillio has undertaken
employment with the Gallatin County Attorney's Office but is not yet acting as counsel of
record. The Gallatin County Attorney has filed a letter in support of the petition, citing a
backlog of cases and the critical assistance Frattolillio can provide to that office as counsel.
       While we routinely deny petitions for temporary admission for applicants seeking
admission by motion or upon transfer of Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) score, see
Petition of Gosch, 07-0303, March 7, 2016, we have explained that "[t]emporary admission
until sitting for the bar exam may be appropriate in circumstances where a candidate does
not qualify for admission on motion or for transfer of a UBE score." Petition of Gosch,
07-0303. Here, Frattolillio is waiting to complete the* examination process, and thus
qualifies for temporary admission.' Good cause appearing,
       IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the petition for temporary admission to the practice
of law is GRANTED. This period of temporary admission shall be effective until
Frattolillio is permanently admitted to the practice of law, or until October 1, 2023,

I We would also note that the Court routinely grants a waiver of the requirement to take and pass
the MPRE within three years of admission for applicants who have previously taken the
examination and have a good ethical history. Rule VII(A), Rules for Admission to the Bar of
Montana. Frattolillio took the MPRE in 1998.
whichever is sooner, at which time the temporary admission will expire. During the period
of temporary admission, Frattolillio must be employed with the Gallatin County Attorney's
Office, Bozeman, Montana, and termination of that employment will terminate
Frattolillio's temporary admission. The Gallatin County Attorney's Office will notify the
Court if Frattolillio ceases to be employed by that office.
       The Clerk of this Court will administer the usual oath and issue a temporary
certificate granting Leigh Frattolillio permission to practice law until permanently
admitted, or until October 1, 2023, whichever is sooner.
       The Clerk is directed to provide copies of this order to Petitioner and to the State
Bar of Montana.
       DATED this 11)       day of May, 2023.

                                                              Chief Justice

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                                                                 Justices