Jennifer Hurst, a third-year University of Montana law student, is working within the Office of the Governor during the 2025 legislative session.
“Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming,” Hurst said. “I still get chills when I walk into the Capitol Building.”
Hurst is working at the governor’s office as part of a clinical program in the Alexander Blewett III School of Law. This clinic placement is one of over 25 different opportunities for students to gain experience working in the field under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys.
“Everyone has been so welcoming to me,” Hurst said. “They make time to answer questions and are excited I’m here. I couldn’t ask for better mentorship. They have been amazing and really care about what I have to say.”
Hurst works directly with the governor’s chief legal counsel. Her office is two doors down from Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, a former law professor for 20 years at UM’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law.
“I get to work alongside former students to solve these complex legal problems,” Juras said. “We are looking through hundreds of bills to see if they can be improved or if they will run into problems.”
Montana’s flagship law school offers a hands-on approach to learning. Focused classes prepare students for varied legal clinics that help them sample a variety of future careers.
“This type of clinical placement helps make more well-rounded lawyers when they start practicing,” Juras said. “It’s an opportunity to understand the policies behind the law, so this is a boots-on-the-ground approach toward their education.”
Juras said attorneys within the governor’s office all have different specialties. They work with one another and with attorneys from different state agencies. Hurst gets to be in the room and participate as they debate the best ways to move bills forward.
“We are constantly finding ways to make sure the bills being drafted are the very best they can be before reaching the governor’s desk,” Juras said. “This is a citizen’s legislature. We want to make sure the bills we help draft capture the sponsor’s intent. Every word counts.”
For Hurst, she is excited to learn more about this type of legal work.
“There is so much opportunity within administrative law,” she said. “I wouldn’t have known about any of this without their great mentorship.”
At the Montana State Capitol, Hurst always rushes back to her office to get back to work.
“I’ve always loved the process of politics,” she said. “I get to see it from the front lines and be a part of the action. It has been the icing on the cake of my whole law school experience.”
By Phil Stempin, UM News Service