Mont. R. Admis. XI

A. Final Authority

The Montana Supreme Court is the final authority as to whether an applicant may

be admitted to practice law in Montana. The Court may, under circumstances it

deems sufficient, waive any requirement under these Rules.

B. Judicial Immunity; Privileged Communication; Waiver of Privilege

All commissions, committees, boards, and their members and personnel, including

personnel and employees of the State Bar of Montana, acting on behalf of the

Montana Supreme Court under these Rules, have the judicial immunity the Montana

Supreme Court would have if performing the same functions. Records, statements

of opinion, and other information regarding an applicant for admission to the State

Bar of Montana communicated in good faith and without malice by any person or

entity to any commission, committee, or board involved in the admissions process,

including the person’s or entity’s members, employees, or agents, are privileged and

the information communicated is not admissible in any lawsuit. Waiver of the

privilege, if any, is governed by Mont. R. Evid. 503.

C. Appointment of Bar Admissions Administrator

Subject to the approval of the Commission on Character and Fitness and the

Montana Board of Bar Examiners, which approval may not be unreasonably

withheld, the Executive Director of the State Bar of Montana shall appoint a Bar

Admissions Administrator, who is administratively attached to the State Bar of

Montana.

D. Annual Reports to Supreme Court

The Bar Admissions Administrator, the Dean of the Alexander Blewett III School

of Law, and the chairs of the Commission on Character and Fitness and Board of

Bar Examiners shall each submit an annual report to the Montana Supreme Court

on bar admissions, and may submit recommendations for Rule revisions when

advisable or necessary.

E. Petitions to Clerk of Montana Supreme Court

Except for petitions requesting permission to be sworn in before another court, the

Montana Supreme Court Clerk’s Office may not accept petitions concerning

character and fitness, the Montana Uniform Bar Examination, or admission to the

State Bar of Montana, unless the petitioner includes a certificate of service showing

that a copy of the petition has been properly served upon the Bar Admissions

Administrator.