Attorney General Austin Knudsen today announced the appointment of Billings attorney Emily Jones to the Montana Judicial Standards Commission, a key body responsible for upholding the integrity and ethical standards of the state’s judiciary.
With more than 15 years in private practice, Jones brings extensive legal experience to the commission, which investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and ensures accountability within Montana’s courts. Her appointment, confirmed by the Montana Senate, will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029.
“Maintaining public trust in our judiciary demands unwavering ethical standards,” Knudsen said. “Emily Jones’s extensive legal experience and dedication to justice make her an exceptional addition to the Judicial Standards Commission.”
Jones’s diverse legal background includes representing Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. From 2022 to 2024, she served as a special assistant attorney general, assisting the Montana Department of Justice with complex civil litigation. In 2025, she was named to the Montana Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
A graduate of the University of Montana School of Law, Jones is admitted to practice in Montana state and federal courts, Arizona superior courts, the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Cory Swanson praised the appointment, saying, “The Judicial Standards Commission serves an important Constitutional role to provide independent oversight and due process for the judicial branch and Montana citizens. I want to thank Emily Jones and her fellow commission members for taking on this important task.”
Governor Greg Gianforte echoed that sentiment. “Montanans must have trust that our courts are impartial, fair, and ethical and that they operate with the greatest integrity,” he said. “Given Emily’s extensive background and experience, her membership on the Judicial Standards Commission will help ensure our judiciary is accountable to deliver on that public trust.”
In a statement, Jones said she was honored to take on the responsibility.
“This role is a profound responsibility to uphold the integrity of our judicial system,” she said. “I am committed to promoting accountability and transparency, ensuring our courts remain a trusted pillar of justice for all Montanans.”
The five-member Judicial Standards Commission includes two district judges appointed by the Speaker of the House, one attorney with at least 10 years of Montana practice appointed by the Attorney General, and two non-attorney citizens appointed by the Governor. All members are confirmed by the Senate and serve staggered four-year terms.