Local judge seeks state court spot

Flathead County Justice of the Peace David M. Ortley is one of 11 Montana attorneys seeking appointment to the state Supreme Court.

Ortley, a Kalispell resident since 1989, was appointed to Justice Court in 1999 and has been elected three times since then.

"I look at the makeup of the court and ... I think it's important that there be a trial court judge," Ortley said.

A self-described idealist, Ortley said he believes the old model where only those with knowledge of law and procedure appeared before the court is changing.

"People now have at their fingertips much more information that will allow them to come to the courthouse and expect service, and our rules of procedure don't represent that self-represented litigant."

The resignation of Montana Supreme Court Justice John Warner, who announced he had a type of cancer that targets the immune system, is effective Dec. 31.

The Montana Judicial Nomination Commission will pare the list of applicants down to between three and five before submitting them to Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who will make the appointment.