The Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court should serve the people, not politics. - Erin Farris-Olsen
Erin is eager to provide effective leadership as the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court. Erin is passionate about judicial integrity and access to justice. Farris-Olsen is a licensed attorney, has worked for the Court, and assisted Montanans from all areas of the State in accessing court documents and information. Erin has seen the administration from all sides and looks forward to having the opportunity to improve access for all.
What does the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court do?
Originating in our 1889 Montana Constitution, the Clerk of the Supreme Court is an independent office that protects people and the Court. The Clerk’s authority is narrow but important. The Clerk’s office receives and processes court filings, stores records, and facilitates attorney proceedings such as the swearing in of new lawyers and attorney discipline.
Why is the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court race important?
This race is critical to restore impartiality to the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court.
The current Clerk is misleading Montanans as to the role of the Clerk and the office is being utilized to manipulate judicial process and attack the Montana Supreme Court. Despite being a partisan office for historic reasons, the Clerk is expected to follow the Appellate Court Clerks Code of Professional Conduct, including diligently and impartially executing Clerk duties. Erin Farris-Olsen is the only candidate committed to an ethical Clerk of Court’s Office.
-
Farris-Olsen is a strong believer in the role of the judiciary as a third branch of our State government and its critical role in maintaining a balance of power. The authority of the Clerk of Court is narrow, but important. It helps ensure that the judiciary retains its impartiality as a forum for justice.
-
Farris-Olsen has worked across the State with Clerks of Court, Judges, and fellow attorneys. Erin is acutely aware of the challenges our legal community and the public encounter when navigating the judiciary. These diverse perspectives will inform and drive Erin’s leadership at the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court.
-
Quality access to information is grounded in good administration. With nearly twenty years of organizational and program management experience, Erin is committed to supporting the Clerk of the Supreme Court staff, with an eye towards improving Court processes.