For the first time in three years, since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, federal health officials are allowing Montana and other states to reevaluate residents’ Medicaid eligibility and remove ineligible people from the public health insurance program. The process — which began in April and is slated to end in January 2024 — is …
Program ‘Incubates’ New Lawyers and Rural Montanans (Public News Service)
The Montana Legal Services Association has started a program to help young attorneys get started on a path to success – becoming community leaders, run socially conscious law firms, and maintain sustainable businesses. The Rural Incubator Program for Lawyers creates a way for new attorneys to start their careers by helping connect them to rural …
What you need to know about Medicaid eligibility and redetermination (Montana Public Radio)
Montana health officials are set to begin a nearly yearlong process of reviewing the eligibility of every Medicaid recipient in the state. As a result, some may lose their coverage.
New course makes legal help more accessible to tribal members (Missoulian)
When Danielle Vazquez’s auntie texted in a group chat about a new program that would make legal services more accessible to tribal members, Vazquez jumped on the opportunity. Vazquez, Chippewa Cree, knew the tribal court on the Rocky Boy Reservation — like tribal courts statewide — was overworked, understaffed and lacked resources.
Retired MT Attorneys Provide Pro Bono Legal Advice (Public News Service)
For their next act in life, retired attorneys in Montana are providing free legal advice on civil matters over the phone. The Second Act Justice Project from the Montana Legal Services Association recruits emeritus volunteers – that is, lawyers who are retired but have active attorney status – so they can provide pro bono advice …
Managing Legal Incubators in a Rural State: Examining Two Montana Programs (MEI Journal)
The State of Montana is a vast swath of land with only 1.1 million people spread across 56 counties and seven reservation-based communities. The challenges facing Montana are endemic to many rural and reservation-based communities and create unique roadblocks for connecting people in need with legal service providers. (click to read more)
The Montana Eviction Intervention Project: Legal Relief for Montana Tenants in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic (MIE Journal)
MLSA’s Emily McLean, Brittney Mada, and Bill Hooks published a Special Feature in the Management Information Exchange (MIE) Journal. Their work is titled “The Montana Eviction Intervention Project: Legal Relief for Montana Tenants in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The article outlines how MLSA partnered with the Montana Department of Commerce to begin the …
MLSA Staff Honored at State Bar Meeting
Current and former MLSA staff members were honored at the annual Montana State Bar meeting in Helena on September 22 for their contributions to the legal and justice communities.Tribal Law Attorney Kathryn Seaton was awarded the Frank I. Haswell Award for best contribution to the Montana Lawyer for her series of articles on Indian Law, …
Missoula Tenants Protest Evictions; Experts Offer Legal Advice (KPAX)
Some Missoula residents are rallying against what they call unfair evictions and this month dozens have gathered to protest some of the evictions.
New Tool Offers Legal Resources for Common Issue: Debt Collection (Public News Service)
A new website is helping Montanans answer tricky legal questions about debt. The Montana Legal Services Association has launched MontanaDebtOptions.org to offer resources for those dealing with consumer debt.