Author: Keegan Flaherty
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Seven Chaotic Months in the Life of a New Federal Judge
Amir Ali joined the D.C. Federal District Court just weeks before Trump took office. It’s been tumultuous ever since. In his first weeks as a federal judge in Washington last December, Amir Ali was surprised to learn that the job didn’t come with a robe. Where was he supposed to get one? He had to…
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NY Times: Seven Chaotic Months in the Life of a New Federal Judge
Amir Ali joined the D.C. Federal District Court just weeks before Trump took office. It’s been tumultuous ever since. In his first weeks as a federal judge in Washington last December, Amir Ali was surprised to learn that the job didn’t come with a robe. Where was he supposed to get one? He had to…
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The Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Rule of Law
Join Friends of the Third Branch on September 26, 2025 from 1:00 to 4:30 pm for FREE continuing legal education opportunity. Friends of the Third Branch and the Brennan Center are hosting an event featuring legislators and judges discussing national trends in judicial selection, legislation affecting the judiciary, and insights into what may come next.…
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2025 Legislative Report
As a nonpartisan legal resource, Friends of the Third Branch monitored 44 bills, actively engaged in 16, and helped block 32 proposals that threatened separation of powers, including attempts to politicize judicial elections. Click here to read the report.
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Republican effort to regulate courts fizzles
A 27-bill GOP package to alter the judiciary is barely alive. Once thought to be a legislative priority, a Republican effort to regulate Montana courts is going out with a whimper in the final days of the Legislature. Of the 27 bills crafted by a select committee to “reign in the courts,” only eight remain…
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Legislative committee supports yet another version of partisan judicial elections
House Bill 838 would apply only to the Supreme Court, and create a blanket primary process with two candidates moving to general election Bruce Spencer, a lobbyist representing the State Bar of Montana, did not need to elaborate on his organization’s position on a bill before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday — he’s said…
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Citizen grand jury bill fails on House floor
Bill would have allowed public to petition for a citizen-led grand jury, which would have been its own judge. Citizen grand juries aren’t coming to Montana, at least for now. House lawmakers voted down legislation to change the state’s constitution to allow citizens to summon a jury via petition was voted down 40-60 on Tuesday…
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Bill to protect constitutional officers who are lawyers from discipline sparks debate
A quick back-and-forth between Sen. Barry Usher and Rep. Tom France addressed the elephant in the room with a bill that would prohibit disciplinary proceedings against constitutional officers who are lawyers, albeit with exceptions. In 2023, Attorney General Austin Knudsen was accused of 41 counts of professional misconduct — charges his lawyer has argued should…
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The Most Expensive Judicial Election Ever
The race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court shows the need for reforms to protect judicial independence. Update 4/2/25: Liberal candidate Susan Crawford defeated conservative Brad Schimel. An op-ed in Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post called it “America’s most important election of the year.” The New York City mayor’s race? Perhaps a contest for governor?…
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‘Buckle Up’: In Montana, Republican Lawmakers Target the Judiciary
Republicans in Montana and other states complain that liberal judges are tossing out the laws they pass. Now, conservative legislators are trying to change the rules, and the judges. Even before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Montana lawmakers were determined to outlaw abortion, passing three laws restricting access. But a district…