My Montana story began 40 years ago . . . .

Andy Breuner for District Court Judge

on the banks of Beaver Creek---about ½ mile upstream from what was then the small Ophir School. My parent’s old log cabin was our headquarters for outdoor adventure.

The fabulous skiing at Big Sky was not nearly so ‘big’ back then---no Moonlight Basin or Yellowstone Club, a mountain bounded by the runs off Andesite Mountain and in the bowl under the shadows of [tram-less] Lone Mountain.

Swearing In Belgrade Police Officer Nicole Nelson

Swearing in Belgrade Police Officer Nicole Nelson in 2016.

My dad left an old Wagoneer at the airport the whole year around with the keys under the floor mat. A stop at Lee and Dad’s in Belgrade for provisions and off we went.

The Big Sky community was much smaller back then and full of colorful characters---welcoming folks that would become lifelong friends.

For the past 20 years the Gallatin Valley has been my family’s full-time home. My wife, son and I have been blessed by families across the Valley---as warm and welcoming as those Big Sky Montanans 40 years ago.

These friends have included dedicated professionals in the legal community.

When I took the district court bench in January 2022, I enjoyed a reunion with many people with whom I had worked regularly before becoming Belgrade’s city judge.

During my nearly seven years on the bench in Belgrade, I developed an abiding affection for Belgrade, its residents as well the dedicated public servants at city hall. I learned so many important things about being a judge from that generous community.

Following my judicial appointment by Governor Greg Gianforte in December 2021, I embarked on a mission to build a qualified team of professionals to support an efficient, technologically forward-thinking department to serve our local justice system. It is an exciting process and I am honored to be leading it.

It is a profound privilege to serve as your newest district judge and, especially, to have the opportunity to serve the community that has given me and my family so much.

I have been so fortunate to have had a variety of teaching opportunities over the course of my legal career.

In addition to teaching at the law school and undergraduate level, I have also enjoyed speaking to high school students about our traffic laws, the judicial system or their mock trial preparations.

At the Santa Clara University School of Law I directed a criminal defense clinic and supervised law students in the courtroom in the late 1990s. I also had an opportunity to teach a course in criminal procedure.

Between 2019 and 2022 I returned to the classroom and had the privilege of teaching five semesters of introductory criminal law and procedure as an adjunct in the sociology department at Montana State.

It truly amazes me how focused our MSU students are on pursuing particular roles in our criminal justice system.

I think our young people are brighter and more public service oriented than ever.   It was a privilege to be a small part of their academic journey.

And yes, I learned far more from my students than vice versa!