Citizens' Law School

Why Citizens' Law School?

Every fall, lawyers and judges from across the state lend their time and talent to empower Montanans with helpful legal knowledge and resources through the State Bar's nationally recognized Citizens' Law School Program. This free program, produced by the Law-Related Education Committee, is designed to bridge the gap between the legal profession and the public, fostering a better understanding of the law and promoting civic engagement.

Classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM (except for the session on Tuesday, November 10th in honor of Veterans Day). Click on the registration button to the left to register to join our free Zoom classes.

NOTE TO LAWYERS: Citizens' Law School is a program for the public and not approved for CLE credit.

Classes from the 2025 and 2024 programs are available below. You can find select classes from prior years on the State Bar's YouTube channel via the link to the left.

2026 Citizens' Law School Class Schedule

October 7th - Montana's Judicial System - In-person option offered in addition to Zoom, hosted by Carroll College, O'Connell Hall, Room 107, Helena, MT

Chief Judge Brian Morris of the United States District Court for the District of Montana, and Chief Justice Cory Swanson of the Montana Supreme Court

October 14th - The Nuts and Bolts of Democracy in Montana

Prof. Constance Van Kley, Blewett School of Law at the University of Montana, and Dale Schowengerdt, Landmark Law, PLLC

October 21st - The Legal Systems of Tribal Nations in Montana

Hon. Adrian Miller, Appellate and Constitutional Judge for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and Hon. Kate Van Horn, Chief Justice of the Fort Belknap Court of Appeals

October 28th - AI and the Law

Prof. Cody James, Blewett School of Law at the University of Montana

Nov. 4th - Veterans Law in Montana

Hon. Jason Marks, Montana Fourth Judicial District Court, and Prof. Hillary Wandler, Blewett School of Law at the University of Montana

Nov. 10th - (Tuesday) – Employment Law Basics

Lucy France, General Counsel, the University of Montana, and Kathryn S. Mahe, Garlinton, Lohn & Robinson, PLLP

Nov. 18th - What Happens When a Loved One Dies: Wills and Estates Basics

Prof. Marsha Goetting, Montana State University, and Prof. Forrest Graves, Blewett School of Law at the University of Montana

Dec. 2nd - Family Law Primer

Hon. Rod Souza, Montana Thirteenth Judicial District Court, and Megan Dishong, Montana Legal Services Association