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Judge Laird Running to Keep Seat on Bench

Current District 17 Judge Yvonne Laird is seeking to retain her position this coming November. Judge Laird discussed her experience, her positions for the post and her motivation for keeping her seat with the Courier.

Born in Havre, Mont., Judge Laird spent her formidable years on a farm and ranch outside Gilford, Mont., a small town east of Havre along Highway 2. After graduating Blue Sky High School she went on to Concordia University in Moorhead, Minn., where she earned her Bachelors of Arts in International Relations and double minored in political science and economics.

Following college, the Judge moved to Chicago for three years before returning to Montana and attending the University of Montana School of Law. Following graduation in 1996, she became the Deputy County Attorney in Blaine County and moved to Chinook in December 1996. Laird would hold that post until 2003 and would become county attorney through 2006. In 2007, she took on a new role working for the Montana Legal Services Association, which provides civil legal services at reduced or no cost for low income residents in Montana. That association focused on family and related consumer law cases.

In August 2011, the Judge left MLSA for private law. During her private practice she began contracting with the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation to provide legal services. That position would eventually lead to an appointment as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney working for the Fort Belknap Tribes under grant funding.

After Judge McKean retired, Laird applied and was appointed to the position of 17th Judicial District Judge. She was appointed by Governor Steve Bullock assuming the bench in Nov. 2016.

When asked why she would be the most qualified for the position Judge Laird highlighted her diverse legal experiences saying, "Having prosecuted in the three different courts is a unique case in it of itself." Laird said she had prosecuted cases as diverse as disorderly conduct all the way up to making cases for the death penalty. Laird also pointed out that she had served as an interim justice on the Montana Supreme Court, a case that occurs when a justice has to recuse themselves from a particular case.

Adding to her diverse legal experience she highlighted that she also knows what it feels like to testify and be a juror in cases. "I also have testified in state and federal court and before BIA investigators and a police commission, said Laird, adding that she also served as a juror on a felony case. The judge pointed out that the experience of being in every position in the court room makes her, "The most well-rounded option for the 17 th Judicial District."

Judge Laird discussed her qualifications and her belief that those unique experiences made her the best choice stating, "I have the capacity and foundation to sit on the bench." Laird would also add that, "I realize that each case is the most important to the parties involved."

Laird also said that she was not intimidated by the idea of ruling contrary to the popular decision of the public. Laird pointed out that ruling contrary to the law would be a disservice to the judiciary.

Laird finished up the interview discussing her motivation for continuing to serve on the bench saying, "I've always been committed to the Hi-Line and the rural lifestyle and respect the Hi-Line communities. I believe that is something that needs to be preserved."

She would go on to highlight her belief that serving the Hi-Line is important and that the people here deserve the same quality of government services as the rest of the state. "People on the Hi-Line deserve qualified, competent, professional district judges. They should not have to settle for less because they have chosen to live on the Hi-Line," explained Laird before adding, "I don't believe the state revolves around Helena."

 

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