Open Source Law Office | LSNTAP. Okay! Here is the updated announcement about our open source law office on the Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project. These are folks committed to using free code to make the economy and the justice system more fair. I’m paraphrasing their mission I expect, but I’ve done so in the spirit of charity!
March 1, 2010
February 27, 2010
Using Drupal
More than one low-budget or no-budget Montana organization has a website built with Drupal. The Drupal content management system is free and used for well known sites like The White House, the New York Observer, Amnesty International and The Onion.
But the learning curve is steep, and Montana cities do not always have a network of Drupal-literate coders available to assist with administration and updating of sites.
If this situation sounds familiar, get Using Drupal.
This uncommonly well written book may immediately remedy the familiar Montana problem of the “missing webmaster” by unlocking the community-based power of a Drupal website. The book includes lucid descriptions of key website administration concepts combined with practical step-by-step remedies for typical organizational goals.
And if you live in Montana but despise books of this nature, remember that Drupal coder communities are growing daily. In Montana, the Western Montana Drupal Group is another good place to seek affordable help.
“No Budget” Website Demonstrates Free and Open Source Software for Private and Nonprofit Offices (January 2007) | LSNTAP
“No Budget” Website Demonstrates Free and Open Source Software for Private and Nonprofit Offices (January 2007) | LSNTAP. The coverage is a little dated, but the project (this one) is still going strong! 
February 21, 2010
February 20, 2010
Op-Ed Contributor – Have Keyboard, Will Travel – NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Contributor – Have Keyboard, Will Travel – NYTimes.com. Applies to lawyers too?
October 10, 2009
Attorney Judy Wang remembered for tireless advocacy, dedication
By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian
A compassionate mentor. A fierce advocate. A tireless community champion who dedicated her life to making our corner of the world safer, healthier and stronger.
Those are just some of the accolades used Sunday to describe Judy Wang, 57, a prosecutor in the Missoula city attorney’s office who died unexpectedly over the weekend when a driver who smelled of alcohol crashed into her car and caused it to roll on Interstate 90 near Anaconda.
Wang, said those who knew her well, viewed justice with a capital J, and she applied that perspective in her daily work as a tenacious attorney who helped create legislation to strengthen the laws that protect victims of domestic violence.
“Her death is such a shock to all of us,” said Cindy Weese, executive director of the YWCA. “She was our expert and our greatest advocate for policy around victims and domestic violence.
“Not only was she a mentor to me, but she had an incredible impact on everyone working in this field statewide – she was a teacher to us all.”
Wang’s sudden death leaves an immeasurable void on many levels.
…
Comments Off
March 23, 2009
Word Press in Missoula Courtroom for Grace Trial
The law school and the journalism school are helping report on the U.S. Attorney’s prosecution of W.R. Grace and five officials for criminal offenses.
I understand but have not personally confirmed that U.S. District Judge Molloy gave permission (rare) for reporters inside the courtroom to keep their cell phones and/or laptops turned on so twittering may occur.
Here’s one news story among many describing the revolutionary coverage of this federal trial:
http://www.newwest.net/city/article/um_journalists_cover_wr_grace_trial_in_real_time/C8/L8/
Here’s a link to the blog itself:
http://blog.umt.edu/gracecase/
Still no Creative Commons license for the content, but change comes slow. This is still an amazing use of Word Press.
August 6, 2008
Missoula Opens Courts
More Help for Self-Represented (“Pro Se”) Litigants
Last week, the Missoula Family Law Self-Help Center opened in Room 271 of the Misoula County Courthouse which is located at 200 West Broadway Street in downtown Missoula. Business hours at the center are limited to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays.
The center offers free legal forms and general information for divorce and parenting cases, including residential schedules, child support, medical support and property settlements. Legal advice is not offered, but manager Julie Skillicorn is present to make referrals and assist center visitors.
On August 3rd, 2008, Missoula County Judge Deschamps told the Missoulian that judicial staff attorney Charlotte Beatty, Missoula County Standing Master Brenda Desmond, YWCA of Missoula Director Cindy Weese and Program Director Kris Holmes, Missoula attorney Cynthia Thiel, a partner at Boone Karlberg, and the Montana State Bar Child and Family Law Section partnered with the Fourth Judicial District Judges to start the center. Funding was received from the Montana Supreme Court from a 2007 state legislative appropriation.
The center is expected to reduce congestion and increase efficiency at the Missoula County Courthouse by streamlining family law cases involving self-represented litigants.
Due to high demand, visitors may consider calling for an appointment at 258-3428 or emailing at missoulaselfhelp [ at ] gmail.com.
Read more in the Missoulian.
The MontanaLawHelp website is another tool for Montana DIY in the courts.
July 19, 2008
New Location . . . Same Scales
New Location For Missoula Attorney Monte Jewell
Monte Jewell, PC, co-sponsor of this site and Missoula attorney who has practiced law using free and open source software since 2005, relocated his office to Suite D in the Towne Court building on 2412 River Road in Missoula. The new location is south of Mullan Road on the northwest corner of the intersection of River and Reserve.
Here are directions to the office.