• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Digital News Updates
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business

Attorney General Knudsen files response to legal complaint

December 2, 2023

This week, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen formally responded to a complaint alleging professional misconduct, characterizing it as “highly irregular” and defending his actions in the dispute between the Montana Legislature and the state Supreme Court.

In a 50-page response submitted on Monday to the state Commission on Practice by lawyers representing Knudsen, both private and from the Attorney General’s Office, they refuted the claim that his conduct during the 2021 dispute violated any attorney conduct rules. They argued for the complete dismissal of the complaint, asserting that the Montana Commission on Practice had never encountered a disciplinary complaint of this nature before.

The complaint, filed in September by Missoula attorney, Timothy Strauch, a longtime Democrat donor and activist, serving as special counsel, outlined 41 counts alleging violations of the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct. The allegations primarily centered on accusations that Knudsen and his legal team disobeyed a court obligation, made statements about judges’ integrity, and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

The incidents in question took place in 2021 when Knudsen represented state lawmakers who issued subpoenas for internal emails from Supreme Court justices and lower court judges. The subpoenas aimed to uncover information about judges’ opinions on proposed bills being debated in the Legislature. The Montana Supreme Court later blocked the subpoenas, deeming them beyond the Legislature’s authority.

The complaint highlighted statements made by Knudsen and his attorneys, accusing justices of misbehavior and improper conduct. It also contended that Knudsen’s refusal to promptly return judicial branch emails after a court order constituted a “knowing disobedience.”

In defense, Knudsen’s legal team argued that the situation was unprecedented and politically charged, emphasizing that he was responding to credible allegations of judicial misconduct. They maintained that Knudsen’s firm stance did not violate professional conduct rules but rather upheld them, even if expressed with strong language.

The defense contended that challenging the Supreme Court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court justified not returning the emails immediately. They argued against disciplining Knudsen for comments made about the judiciary, asserting that such actions would hinder legitimate discussions about judges’ improper conduct.

In conclusion, the defense called for the commission to find that Knudsen did not breach conduct rules. If found to be in violation, they argued that the rules are overly restrictive on constitutionally protected speech, potentially violating the First Amendment.

The next steps involve a scheduling conference to determine the timeline for the issue to go before the Commission on Practice. A formal hearing is expected to take place several months later, with the commission ultimately recommending to the Supreme Court whether disciplinary action against Knudsen is warranted.

By: Montana News Room Staff

Filed Under: Featured, Home Featured, Politics

Related Articles:

  • Supreme Court rules against Florida firefighter who lost health benefits
  • Sheehy Introduces Legislation to Compensate Service Members Discharged Over COVID Vaccine Mandate
  • Senator Daines Leads Bipartisan Push to Celebrate “Great Outdoors Month”
  • Here’s how American taxpayers will be impacted if the ‘big, beautiful bill’ fails
  • President Trump Signs Senator Sheehy’s Aerial Firefighting Bill Into Law
  • Montana Attorney General Launches Investigation into Lee Enterprises Following Cyberattack

Primary Sidebar

Digital News Updates Logo

Recent News Posts

  • North Dakota to Celebrate Grand Opening of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
  • Montana Attorney General Launches Investigation into Lee Enterprises Following Cyberattack
  • VA slams Democrat governor for falsely claiming vets could be denied care
  • Montana State names 2025 presidential scholars

Recent Politics Posts

  • Gianforte Praises Supreme Court Ruling
  • Zinke Urges Interior Secretary to Act on Projected Low Flathead Lake Levels
  • Senator Daines Leads Bipartisan Push to Celebrate “Great Outdoors Month”
  • Sheehy Introduces Legislation to Compensate Service Members Discharged Over COVID Vaccine Mandate

Recent Business Posts

  • Bridger Aerospace Welcomes Executive Order to Reshape Wildland Firefighting
  • Gianforte Appoints Marta Bertoglio as Department of Commerce Director
  • Daktronics to Announce Q4 and Fiscal 2025 Results on June 25
  • Performance Engineering Earns National Honors

Copyright © 2025 Digital News Updates, All Rights Reserved.