State Bar Elections

Craig D. Charlton, Helena

Earlier this year I had the privilege of being appointed as one of your Area F trustees, and I would like your consideration in being reelected to this position.   I have been in private practice in Helena since 2003.  My practice primarily consists of real estate law, estate planning, probates, and general business law.  I have been a member of the BETTR section of the State Bar for several years.  Outside of the practice of law, I served as a representative for the City of Helena on the City-County Consolidated Planning Board for six years; chairing the board in 2019.  In my free time, I enjoy skiing, golfing, and recreating in Montana. I am placing my name for consideration to this position, because I believe our profession and the judiciary in general are under attack.  We need lawyers who will stand up and protect our profession and work to keep the judiciary independent.  I have the professional experience and temperament to help lead us forward.  I also have reached the point in my professional career where I feel I need to give back and be of service.  Serving as one of your Area F Trustees is one way I can do that. Thank you for your consideration.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Anna Maria A. Kecskés, Helena

I am asking for your support and your vote to continue to serve as a trustee for Area F (Lewis and Clark and Broadwater Counties) on the board of trustees for the State Bar of Montana.  Since originally joining the board in 2021, I have learned the important work the State Bar does in advocating for the profession and working to bring meaningful resources to members.  If elected to another term, I specifically hope to continue to work during this next term by planning CLEs, identifying ways to strengthen the bar association during these unprecedented times and brainstorming ways to better involve and connect our members.  I encourage all members of the State Bar to vote in this upcoming election, and would greatly appreciate your vote to continue to represent Area F.  

Deanna L. Rothwell, Helena

My name is Deanna Rothwell and I am running for one of the Area F Trustee positions. I graduated from UM law school in May of 2021 and passed the bar that same year. I am currently a Deputy County Attorney in Lewis and Clark County and have been in this position for approximately 2.5 years. In law school, I served on the board of the Women’s Law Caucus (WLC) and was very involved in planning the annual fundraiser to benefit the YWCA. This included event planning, budgeting, and community outreach. Working on the board of the WLC was one of the highlights of law school for me. I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of legal settings.  During my year off between my undergrad and law school, I worked at Cok Kinzler, PLLP, a law firm that primarily practices personal injury law. While in my first year in law school, I interned with Montana Legal Services, where I conducted client intakes. During the Summer of 2020, after my second year in law school, I interned with the commercial transactions department of Crowley Fleck, PLL. Following my summer internship, I participated in a legal clinic with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Prior to starting with the Lewis and Clark County Attorney’s office in November of 2022, I was a law clerk for the Montana Tax Appeal Board. In March of 2023, I began serving as a board member on the DUI task force. As a board, we participate in community events, including the senior all-night party and a highway trash clean-up. We also offer funding to different people and organizations that align with our mission. We also review and edit our bylaws on a yearly basis. I have really enjoyed my work on the board and am excited about the possibility of doing similar things with the Montana State Bar. My experience serving on boards and my experience in a variety of legal fields would be helpful in effectively representing the lawyers of Montana. I am excited about the opportunity and would appreciate your vote. Thank you!

Area F Trustee (3 positions)

Shane P. Coleman, Billings

I am a 1998 graduate of the University of Montana Law School and a 1995 graduate of Montana State University with degree in electrical engineering. With the exception of three years in Missoula, I have practiced my entire career in Billings, primarily with two regional law firms, principally in the areas of intellectual property law, patent litigation, commercial litigation, and bankruptcy. Since 2002, I have practiced with several of my longtime colleagues at the law firm of Billstein, Monson & Small PLLP. I have served on the State Bar Board of Trustees since 2017. Before that, I served on the YABA Board. At a time of rapid change in the practice of law, I believe my board experience and broad legal practice prepare me to well continue representing the local bar's interests.  

Natasha Y. Fernando, Billings

Natasha Fernando is the Managing Public Defender with the Office of the State Public Defender, Conflict Defender Division, and has served as a public defender since 2018. She brings experience in criminal defense, juvenile justice, and public service, with a commitment to fostering professional connection and supporting the legal community. As a candidate for the State Bar of Montana Board of Trustees for Area H, Natasha is dedicated to serving as a strong liaison between local bar members and the State Bar’s executive leadership, promoting engagement in the Yellowstone Area Bar Association, and strengthening the voice of Area H within the broader legal community. 

Eli J. Patten, Billings

I am a partner with the Crowley Fleck law firm in Billings. My practice primarily involves the areas of creditors' rights, including bankruptcy, collections, real and personal property foreclosures, bankruptcy litigation, and commercial litigation. I have been selected as a Rising Star in the Mountain States Super Lawyer Magazine from 2013 to 2023, a Super Lawyer in 2024, and included in the 2025 Best Lawyers in America. Since my admission to the State Bar, I have served as the Chair of the Bankruptcy Section, the secretary/treasurer, and a member of the section council prior to my tenure as Chair. For the past 11 years, I have served as the co-chair of the Bankruptcy Section seminar planning committee. I also served for 4 years on the New Lawyers’ Section board as a trustee. Presently, I serve as an Area H Trustee on the Board of Trustees, beginning my service in that position in 2018. In addition to my involvement with the State Bar, I have served in numerous positions with the Yellowstone Area Bar Association, including serving as the YABA President. I have also been active with the American Bar Association, serving as a District Representative to the Young Lawyer Division and as a Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates. I believe my experience in various capacities with the local bar, State Bar, and ABA makes me a qualified candidate to continue my service to our profession.  I would appreciate your support in my reelection bid.

Brianne E. Radovich, Billings

I graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 2012, and have been practicing primarily family law in Billings ever since. Over the course of my time as an attorney, I have had the privilege to meet and form relationships with many of the attorneys practicing in Yellowstone County, particularly family law attorneys. I am aware of the various struggles experienced by attorneys and I know I could have a positive impact on the profession by representing Area H with the State Bar of Trustees. While I have not served on the State Bar of Trustees before, I do have experience with serving on a board of directors. I have served on the board of directors for the Downtown Exchange Club for the past eight years. Over that period of time, I held various positions on the board, including president for one year. Today, I remain on the board of directors as a director.

Michelle Sullivan, Billings

I have served on the State Bar Board of Trustees since being selected to fill an Area H vacancy in September 2023. One primary focus for me has been CLE programming. Before COVID, I was a long-term member of the YABA CLE Committee. The pandemic ended our regular programming schedule, but I have been working with other colleagues to bring back local CLE programming. In addition, I recently became a member of the CLE Institute and have been asked by our State Bar President to chair that group starting this fall. As my initiation into statewide CLE programming, I presented a “Primer on Probate” CLE at the St. Patrick’s Day CLE in Butte in March. As a follow-up, I am on the agenda to present a CLE on guardianships and conservatorships at the Bucking Horse Sale CLE in Miles City in May.  I started my career as a “big firm” attorney at Holland & Hart. For the past eight years, I have been a partner at my own firm, Sullivan Miller Law.  The diversity of my practice over the last 25 years gives me great perspective and an ability to understand the needs of the lawyers practicing here in our area. I am honored to represent Area H on the Board of Trustees. If you vote to retain me as a Trustee, I will continue working with other attorneys across Montana to improve the practice of law. 

Position Descriptions

Board of Trustee (2-year term)

The duties of each Trustee are:

1. To attend each Board meeting, unless excused by the President for good cause.
2. To attend the annual meeting.
3. To actively participate on all committees of which he or she is a member.
4. To regularly attend the meetings of local bar associations within the Trustee’s area and provide reports about State Bar activities to the local bar members.
5. To actively encourage and sponsor formation of local bar associations within the Trustee’s area and serve as a voting member on the local bar association’s governing board (where permitted)
6. To serve as a liaison on the committees or sections to which the Trustee has been appointed by the President. The Trustee will:
-- serve as a voting member of the committee or section and encourage the committee or section to attain the objectives assigned by the Board;
-- attend meetings of the committee or section; and
-- report on the committee or section activities at quarterly meetings of the Board.
6. To accomplish such other purposes as may from time to time be appropriate.

President-Elect (1-year term)

The President-Elect is a member-at-large of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee; and performs all other duties assigned by the President or Board of Trustees.  Before assuming the office of president, the President-Elect must present to the Board of Trustees for its consideration a proposed plan of State Bar goals and objectives for the succeeding year. The Immediate Past President is a member of the Executive Committee.  Responsibilities include: (1) organizing the local bar leadership conference; (2) chairing the Past Presidents Committee; (3) serves as a liaison with out of state Bar members; (4) performs other duties as assigned by the State Bar President or Board of Trustees.

Secretary-Treasurer (2 year term)

The Secretary-Treasurer is a memberat-large of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Executive Committee. The Secretary-Treasurer must confer with the Executive Director and the administrative staff of the State Bar as to: 
(i) The keeping of proper minutes and records.
(ii) The general operation of the headquarters office.
(iii) The methods and procedures used in the receipt, collection and safe-keeping of all funds of the State Bar.
(iv) The procedures for disbursement and audit of such funds.

The Secretary-Treasurer must assist the Executive Committee in preparing the annual budget and in presenting it to the Board of
Trustees and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees as to the association’s affairs, as required. 

Voting and Eligibility

Voting members are active, active military service and judicial members except Supreme Court justices. Only voting members may hold office or vote in any election conducted by the State Bar. [By-laws of the State Bar of Montana, Article I, §3(c)]

A voting member is eligible to vote only in the area in which the member resides. A voting member may represent an area only if the member both resides in the area and either maintains a law practice or serves as a judicial officer in the area. [By-laws of the State Bar of Montana, Article III, §2(a)]

Election Calendar/Deadlines

April 7 – Filing deadline for original nomination petitions - download the form below

May 5 – Online voting begins

May 27 – Online voting period ends

June 6 – Votes tabulated

Nomination Petition Form 

DOWNLOAD NOMINATION PETITION