List of first minority male lawyers and judges in Montana

This is a list of the first minority male lawyer(s) and judge(s) in Montana. It includes the year in which the men were admitted to practice law (in parentheses). Also included are men who achieved other distinctions, such becoming the first in their state to obtain a law degree or become a political figure.

Firsts in state history

Lawyer

• John D. Posten (1890):[1][2][3][4] First African American male lawyer in Montana

State

• Ira Left Hand, Sr.:[5] First Native American male judge in Montana

Federal

• John D. Posten (1890):[1][2][3][4] First African American male to serve as a U.S. Commissioner for the United States District Court of Montana (1893)

Bar Association

• Shane Vannatta:[6] First openly LGBT male to serve as the President of the Montana State Bar Association (2011)

Firsts in local history

Alphabetized by county name

Missoula County

• James Weston Dorsey (1927):[1][2][7][8] First black male to earn a law degree at the University of Montana School of Law [Missoula County, Montana]

See also

• List of first minority male lawyers and judges in the United States

Other topics of interest

• List of first women lawyers and judges in the United States
• List of first women lawyers and judges in Montana

References

1. Smith, Jr., J. Clay (1999-01-01). Emancipation: The Making of the Black Lawyer, 1844-1944. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 0812216857.
2. "African Americans in Montana Timeline". mhs.mt.gov. Retrieved 2018-01-29.
3. Sheppard, Steve (2007). The History of Legal Education in the United States: Commentaries and Primary Sources. The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. ISBN 9781584776901.
4. The Unit. 1895.
5. "Ira Left Hand Sr". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
6. "Montana State Bar Elects First Openly Gay President". Bilerico Report / LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2019-01-06.
7. "Happy 125th birthday, Montana State University and University of Montana". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
8. Gilder, Don. "1st Black Grad @ U of M Law School - Missoula native James Dorsey - Griz lineman - Milwaukee leader". oldmissoula.com. Retrieved 2016-10-10.