Court Opinion

ID: 9377504
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-03-07 23:04:52.771348+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:14.643062
License: Public Domain

03/07/2023

          IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA                                 Case Number: PR 23-0004

                                        PR 23-0004
                                                                         MAR 0 7 2023
                                                                       Elowc-In Greenwood
 IN RE PETITION OF SARAH ASHLEY DIXON                                Clerk of Suprerne Court
                                                                    O Rlittneontans
 FOR REINSTATEMENT TO ACTIVE STATUS
 IN THE BAR OF MONTANA

       Sarah Ashley Dixon has petitioned for reinstatement to active status in the State Bar
of Montana. Dixon was admitted to the State Bar of Montana on May 4, 2006, and
voluntarily chose to move to inactive status in February 2017. The petition indicates that
Dixon is currently practicing law in Washington State, as of February 17, 2023. Our
reading of the petition is that Dixon did not actively practice law in any jurisdiction from
February 2017 to February 2023. It is the Court's practice in such cases, given the amount
of time Dixon was on inactive status, to require a character and fitness review and the
completion of continuing education. Therefore,
       IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner shall submit to an investigation
conducted by the Commission on Character and Fitness, which, in its discretion, may be a
limited investigation. Petitioner shall comply with the character and fitness process and
timely produce information and documentation as requested by the Commission. The
Commission will investigate Petitioner's character and fitness in accordance with the Rules
of Procedure of the Commission on Character and Fitness. The Commission will advise
the Court whether the Petitioner has been certified, conditionally certified, or denied
certification. If the Commission denies certification, the Commission will issue written
findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a decision pursuant to Section 5(c)(6) of the Rules
of Procedure of the Commission on Character and Fitness. If the Petitioner is certified or
conditionally certified by the Commission on Character and Fitness, the Petitioner shall be
admitted to the active practice of law in Montana upon payment of appropriate dues and
fees and penalties to the State Bar of Montana.
       IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, if admitted, within six months of admission to
the active practice of law, Petitioner shall submit to the Board of Continuing Legal
Education, P.O. Box 577, Helena, MT 59624, proof of attendance at thirty hours of
approved Continuing Legal Education to be credited to the time Petitioner was on inactive
status. This may include approved credits previously obtained by Petitioner during the last
two years, if any.
       The Clerk is directed to provide copies of this order to the Petitioner and the
State Bar of Montana.
       DATED this         day of March, 2023.

                                                              Chief Justice

                                                               /       rq

                                                                   Justices

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