J. Williams v. G. Gianforte

Summary

The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the District Court’s refusal to return the case to Judge Seeley for random reassignment, holding that Senate Bill 41 and the August 28, 2025 memorandum did not amend or supersede the Court’s existing judicial substitution rule codified at § 3‑1‑804, MCA. The Court reasoned that only the Supreme Court may modify its codified rules, and no such amendment existed at the time Judge Seeley invited Judge Best to assume jurisdiction.