Mike McGrath
| Mike McGrath | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court | |
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Assumed office January 5, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Karla M. Gray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Butte, Montana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Joy |
| Children | Pat and Chris |
| Residence | Helena, Montana |
| Alma mater |
University of Montana (B.A.) Gonzaga University (J.D.) |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1970–1972 |
Michael ("Mike") McGrath currently serves as the Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court. He was elected in 2008. He also served as Montana Attorney General from 2000-2008. He was elected in November 2000, and was unopposed for his second term in 2004. He was a member of the Montana Democratic Party. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force.
A native of Butte, Montana, McGrath graduated from the University of Montana with a BA in business administration in 1970 and received his JD from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1975. He was a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellow in Reno, Nevada from 1975 to 1976, and Montana's Assistant Attorney General from 1976 to 1982.
He served as County Attorney for Lewis and Clark County for five terms spanning 1982 to 2000. In his 18 years as a prosecutor, McGrath focused on family violence issues, including domestic abuse and sexual assault of children. He ran for Governor of Montana in 1992, but lost in the Democratic primary to former State Representative Dorothy Bradley, who in turn lost the general election to Marc Racicot.
He is a former chair of the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) and served as president of the Montana County Attorneys' Association.
Michael McGrath's opposition to the release of an innocent man was a case study in the very common human behavior of denial. In a 249 page deposition he[1] unsuccessfully argued against the exoneration of a convicted rapist despite DNA evidence proving his innocence.
He and his wife Joy have two sons, Pat and Chris, and one granddaughter, Alexis.
See also
References
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joseph P. Mazurek |
Attorney General of Montana 2001–2009 |
Succeeded by Steve Bullock |
| Preceded by Karla M. Gray |
Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court 2009–present |
Incumbent |
Current statewide political officials of Montana | ||
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| U.S. Senators |  | |
| U.S. Representative |
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| State government | ||
| Senate |
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| House |
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| Supreme Court |
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