Alexander (Zander) Blewett III
Alexander (Zander) Blewett III (born 1945) is a Montana personal injury lawyer based out of Great Falls, Montana. The University of Montana School of Law is named for Blewett.[1] He is the head partner in the Hoyt and Blewett PLLC, a personal injury law firm.[2]
Legal career[edit]
Alexander (Zander) Blewett III is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group of personal injury lawyers in the United States.[3]
Seltzer vs. Morton[edit]
Blewett is most noted for the $21.4 million malicious prosecution and abuse of process verdict he obtained against Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, one of the most high powered law firms in the world, in the case of Seltzer v. Morton. The $21.4 million verdict in actual and punitive damages was one of the largest in the country in 2005 and attracted attention from the Wall Street Journal[4] and other national publications.[5][6] On appeal the Montana Supreme Court, 154 P.3d 561 (Mont. 2007), upheld $9.9 million of the jury's punitive damage award against Gibson Dunn and accused the firm of engaging in "legal thuggery."[7]
Vangsnes vs. North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention Inc.[edit]
In 2015, Blewett obtained a $26 million settlement on behalf of a missionary who suffered a catastrophic brain injury in a car accident near Belgrade, Montana.[8]
Philanthropy[edit]
On May 20, 2015, it was announced that Blewett donated $10 million to the University of Montana to rename its law school and create a consumer law and protection program.[9] He funded the construction of the Hoyt and Blewett Court Room at the University of Montana Law School and provided $500,000 to Montana State University – Bozeman to improve facilities for its student-athletes.[10]
Family politics[edit]
Blewett's son, father, and grandfather have all served in the Montana House of Representatives. Blewett's father, Alex Blewett Jr., a Republican from Great Falls, served in the Montana House of Representatives as a Republican in 1961 and 1963.[11] In 1963 he served as Republican Majority Leader of the State House.[12] In 1964, he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic incumbent Mike Mansfield for the U.S. Senate.[13] Blewett's Grandfather, Alexander Blewett Sr., a Republican from Butte, served in the Montana House of Representatives in 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, and 1951.[14] Blewett's son, Anders Blewett, a Democrat from Great Falls, was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 2008 and the Montana Senate in 2010.[15]
References[edit]
- ^ Kathryn Haake (September 11, 2015). "Blewett to his law school: Graduate great lawyers, judges ... and a president". The Missoulian. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
- ^ "Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ "Inner Circle". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ Paul Davies (March 16, 2006). "Lassos and Lawsuits: Who Really Painted A Cowboy Tableau?" (PDF). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ Matt Fleischer-Black (April 1, 2005). "Gibson Dunned". The American Lawyer. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ Paul Davies (March 13, 2007). "Gibson Dunn Used "Legal Thuggery," Say Montana Supremes". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ "Seltzer vs. Morton" (PDF). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ The Associated Press and Tribune Staff (July 14, 2015)."Missionary receives $26M settlement after Belgrade crash" Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2016; Morgan Davies (July 15, 2015). “Largest Personal Injury Payout in State History” KFBB News. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ Kristin Cates (May 20, 2016). "Blewetts give $10 million to UM law school". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
- ^ Anne Cantrell (December 29, 2009). "MSU alum gives $500,000 to help MSU's student-athletes succeed". Montana State University News Service. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
- ^ State of Montana, Laws of Montana (State Publishing Co., 1961, 1963).
- ^ "Montana Legislative Leadership". State of Montana. Archived from the original on December 5, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (August 12, 1965). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 3, 1964" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ State of Montana, Laws of Montana (State Publishing Co., 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1951).
- ^ "[1] Official MT State Legislature website. Retrieved July 12, 2010.