Betsy does a variety of complex federal and state civil trial litigation, and has many years of experience in appellate work. She focuses on representing individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and local governments in commercial litigation, controversies with state government, and employment matters. She has practiced extensively in the civil rights arena with a recent emphasis on disability rights, and wrongful termination cases.
Prior to coming to Axilon, Betsy was legal director of the Montana American Civil Liberties Union and an adjunct professor at the University of Montana School of Law where she taught Montana Constitutional Law, Property Law and Legal Writing. In the constitutional arena, Betsy has been a lead litigator on prison reform, privacy rights, and LGBTQ rights. Before working with the Montana ACLU, Betsy represented the State of Montana on various levels, including chief of the criminal appeals bureau in the Montana Attorney General’s office where she was involved in or supervised hundreds of appeals before the Montana Supreme Court, numerous cases in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and two cases before the United States Supreme Court. She also was chief legal counsel with the Montana State Auditor’s office enforcing securities and insurance regulations.
In the Profession
In addition to teaching at the University of Montana Law School, Betsy has been a presenter and trainer at numerous forums. Most recently, she was a panelist at a 2019 Montana Employment Seminar discussing arbitration procedures before the Montana Board of Personnel Appeals and a speaker at the Montana Trial Lawyers Association’s Winter Seminar. Betsy has addressed the Montana legislature on the role of the Montana and United States Constitutions. Based on her argument before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Axilon Law Group received the Outstanding Law Firm of the Year Award from the Montana Innocence Project.
In the Community
Betsy is a member of local Audubon chapters, the Montana native plant society and the Helena Symphony chorale. She has lived in Montana all her life, and never grows tired of its wonders.