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{{short description|American lawyer}}
'''Alexander (Zander) Blewett III''' (born 1945) is a [[Great Falls, Montana]]-based [[trial lawyer]]. He is the head partner in the Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm, which specializes in cases involving railroad [[FELA]] cases, railroad crossing cases, [[insurance bad faith]] cases, safe place to work cases, insurance cases, [[nuisance]] cases, environmental damage cases, [[medical malpractice]], and [[Wrongful death claim|wrongful death]].<ref name="Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm"> {{cite news | url=http://www.hoytandblewett.com |title= Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref>


'''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.<ref name="Blewett to his law school: Graduate great lawyers, judges ... and a president">{{cite news |url= http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/blewett-to-his-law-school-graduate-great-lawyers-judges-and/article_474ec86e-28ae-5b9f-902a-1bbe5f3a20fa.html | title= Blewett to his law school: Graduate great lawyers, judges ... and a president | newspaper = The Missoulian | author= Kathryn Haake |date= September 11, 2015 | accessdate= June 25, 2016}}</ref> He is the head partner in the Hoyt and Blewett PLLC, a personal injury law firm.<ref name="Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm">{{cite news | url=http://www.hoytblewett.com |title= Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm | accessdate= July 2, 2016}}</ref>
==Cases==
⚫
===''Seltzer vs. Morton'' ===
⚫
Blewett is most noted for the $21.4 million dollar [[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<ref name="Lassos and Lawsuits: Who Really Painted A Cowboy Tableau?" > {{cite news | url=http://www.woodporter.com/Publications/Articles/pdf/WSJ031606.pdf|title= Lassos and Lawsuits: Who Really Painted A Cowboy Tableau?| publisher = The Wall Street Journal| author= Paul Davies | date= 2006-03-16 | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref> and other national publications.<ref name="Gibson Dunned "> {{cite news | url=http://www.law.com/jsp/PubArticle.jsp?id=900005426248|title= Gibson Dunned | publisher = The American Lawyer | author= Matt Fleischer | date= 2005-01-04 | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref>


⚫
==Legal career==
Gibson Dunn sued Seltzer on behalf of Steve Morton, an art collector who owned the painting, “Lassoing a Longhorn.” Morton purchased the painting from [[Kennedy Galleries]] of New York for $38,000 in 1972. Affixed to the lower left corner was “C.M. Russell 1913.″ [[Charles M. Russell]], who died in 1926, was a renowned western artist.
Alexander (Zander) Blewett III is a member of the [[Inner Circle of Advocates]], a group of personal injury lawyers in the United States.<ref name="Inner Circle1">{{cite news|title=Inner Circle|url=http://www.innercircle.org/LawyerSearch/Alexander-Zander-Blewett-III|accessdate=July 2, 2016}}</ref>


⚫
===''Seltzer vs. Morton'' ===
When Morton sought to sell the painting in 2003 at the Coeur d'Alene Art Auction, a partner at the auction house questioned whether the painting was done by Russell. He contacted Seltzer and another expert to [[authenticate]] the painting. Seltzer concluded the painting was the work of his grandfather, O. C. Seltzer, and not Russell which reduced the value from approximately $750,000 to $75,000.
⚫
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<ref name="Lassos and Lawsuits: Who Really Painted A Cowboy Tableau?">{{cite news | url=http://www.woodporter.com/Publications/Articles/pdf/WSJ031606.pdf|title= Lassos and Lawsuits: Who Really Painted A Cowboy Tableau?| newspaper= The Wall Street Journal| author= Paul Davies | date= March 16, 2006 | accessdate= July 2, 2016}}</ref> and other national publications.<ref name="Gibson Dunned">{{cite news | url=http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=900005426248/Gibson-Dunned?slreturn=20150527175346|title= Gibson Dunned | publisher= The American Lawyer | author= Matt Fleischer-Black | date= April 1, 2005 | accessdate= March 12, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Gibson Dunn Used Legal Thuggery, Say Montana Supremes">{{cite news | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/03/13/gibson-dunn-used-legal-thuggery-say-montana-supremes/ |title=Gibson Dunn Used "Legal Thuggery," Say Montana Supremes | newspaper= The Wall Street Journal | author=Paul Davies| date= March 13, 2007 | accessdate= July 2, 2016}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Seltzer vs. Morton">{{cite news | url= https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/montana031207.pdf|title= Seltzer vs. Morton | accessdate= July 2, 2016 | work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref>


===''Vangsnes vs. North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention Inc.''===
Morton’s lawyer then sent a letter to Kennedy Galleries in which he accused it of making “fraudulent (or, at the very least, negligent) misrepresentations” and admitted that Morton was “shocked to learn that the painting was not a work by Russell…and that this must have been clear to any reputable dealer in the 1970’s.” This letter was not produced to Seltzer by Morton when Morton and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher were suing Seltzer.
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.<ref>The Associated Press and Tribune Staff (July 14, 2015).[http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2015/07/14/missionary-receives-settlement-belgrade-crash/30148331 "Missionary receives $26M settlement after Belgrade crash"] ''Great Falls Tribune''. Retrieved July 2, 2016; Morgan Davies (July 15, 2015). [http://www.kfbb.com/story/29558765/largest-personal-injury-payout-in-state-history “Largest Personal Injury Payout in State History”] ''KFBB News''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref>

Rather than sue Kennedy Galleries, Morton hired Gibson Dunn to send a letter threatening to sue Seltzer if he did not lie regarding the authenticity of the painting. Seltzer refused, and Gibson Dunn filed suit on behalf of Morton in Montana federal court in 2002 accusing Seltzer of [[fraud]], [[malice]] and [[bad faith]] and seeking several million dollars in damages.

Seltzer then produced affidavits from nine experts who said the painting was not a Russell and that the signature on the painting had been forged. Gibson, Dunn dismissed Morton's lawsuit in February 2003, with prejudice, when faced with a motion for [[summary judgment]]. Seltzer then sued Gibson Dunn, the firm’s retired partner and Morton accusing them of engaging in “malicious prosecution” and “abuse of process” and causing Seltzer emotional distress and damaging his reputation. The jury agreed and awarded $21.4 million to Seltzer in actual and punitive damages.<ref name="Gibson Dunn Used “Legal Thuggery,” Say Montana Supremes"> {{cite news | url=http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/03/13/gibson-dunn-used-legal-thuggery-say-montana-supremes/ |title=Gibson Dunn Used “Legal Thuggery,” Say Montana Supremes | publisher = The Wall Street Journal | author=Paul Davies| date= 2007-03-13 | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref>

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.”<ref name="Seltzer vs. Morton"> {{cite news | url= http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/montana031207.pdf|title= Seltzer vs. Morton | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref>

⚫
==Legal career==
Alexander (Zander) Blewett III is a member of the [[Inner Circle of Advocates]], an invitation-only group, which is limited to the top 100 lawyers in the United States.<ref name="Inner Circle"> {{cite news |url=http://www.innercircle.org/attorneys/attorney_profile.php?member=4|title= Inner Circle| accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref> Former members include [[Johnnie Cochran]]<ref name="Inner Circle"> {{cite news |url=http://www.innercircle.org/attorneys/deceased_members.php." |title= Inner Circle| accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref> and former U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate [[John Edwards]].<ref name="Inner Circle"> {{cite news |url=http://www.innercircle.org/attorneys/attorney_profile.php?member=100|title= Inner Circle| accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref>


==Philanthropy==
Blewett received Montana Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1993-1994 and in 2006-2007. Blewett provided the funding for construction of the Hoyt and Blewett Court Room at the [[University of Montana Law School]]<ref name="Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm"> {{cite news | url=http://hoytblewett.com/Contributions.jsp |title= Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref> and provided $500,000 to [[Montana State University – Bozeman]] to improve facilities for its student-athletes.<ref name="Montana State University"> {{cite news | url=http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=7890 |title= MSU alum gives $500,000 to help MSU's student-athletes succeed| accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref> The Hoyt and Blewett law firm also sponsors an All-star high school wrestling tournament in Montana.<ref name=" The Season Continues "> {{cite news | url=http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2009/02/17/sports/000toc.txt |title= The Season Continues | publisher = Bozeman Daily Chronicle | author= Pete Delmoe | date= 2009-02-18 | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Blewetts give $10 million to UM law school">{{cite news | url=http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2015/05/20/blewetts-give-million-um-law-school/27664791 |title= Blewetts give $10 million to UM law school | author= Kristin Cates | newspaper= Great Falls Tribune | date= May 20, 2016| accessdate= June 25, 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Montana State University">{{cite news | url=http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=7890 | title=MSU alum gives $500,000 to help MSU's student-athletes succeed | author=Anne Cantrell | publisher=Montana State University News Service | date=December 29, 2009 | accessdate=June 25, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304033831/http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=7890 | archive-date=March 4, 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>


== Family politics==
== Family politics==
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.<ref>State of Montana, ''Laws of Montana'' (State Publishing Co., 1961, 1963).</ref> In 1963 he served as Republican Majority Leader of the State House.<ref name="Montana Legislative Leadership"> {{cite news | url=http://leg.mt.gov/css/About%20the%20Legislature/Facts%20and%20Statistics/leadership%20through%20history.asp|title= Montana Legislative Leadership | publisher = State of Montana | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref> In 1964, he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic incumbent [[Mike Mansfield]] for the [[U.S. Senate]].<ref name=" Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 3, 1964"> {{cite news |url= http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1964election.pdf|title= Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 3, 1964| publisher = U.S. Government Printing Office | author= Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives| date= 1965-12-08 | accessdate= 2009-12-03}}</ref> Blewett’s Grandfather, Alexander Blewett Sr., a Republican from Butte, served in the Montana House of Representatives in 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, and 1951.<ref>State of Montana, ''Laws of Montana'' (State Publishing Co., 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1951).</ref> Blewett’s son, [[Anders Blewett]], a Democrat from Great Falls, was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 2008.<ref> "[http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/61st/leg_info.asp?HouseID=0&SessionID=94&LAWSID=6460 Montana House of Representatives – Anders Blewett]''' Official MT State Legislature website.''' Retrieved 2009-12-3.</ref>
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.<ref>State of Montana, ''Laws of Montana'' (State Publishing Co., 1961, 1963).</ref> In 1963 he served as Republican Majority Leader of the State House.<ref name="Montana Legislative Leadership">{{cite news|url=http://leg.mt.gov/css/About-the-Legislature/Facts-and-Statistics/leadership-through-history.asp |title=Montana Legislative Leadership |publisher=State of Montana |accessdate=March 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205115307/http://leg.mt.gov/css/About-the-Legislature/Facts-and-Statistics/leadership-through-history.asp |archivedate=December 5, 2009 }}</ref> In 1964, he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic incumbent [[Mike Mansfield]] for the [[U.S. Senate]].<ref name=" Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 3, 1964">{{cite news |url= http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1964election.pdf|title= Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 3, 1964| publisher = U.S. Government Printing Office | author= Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives| date= August 12, 1965 | accessdate= March 12, 2009}}</ref> Blewett's Grandfather, Alexander Blewett Sr., a Republican from Butte, served in the Montana House of Representatives in 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, and 1951.<ref>State of Montana, ''Laws of Montana'' (State Publishing Co., 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1951).</ref> 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.<ref>"[http://www.leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/61st/leg_info.asp?HouseID=0&SessionID=94&LAWSID=6460]''' Official MT State Legislature website.''' Retrieved July 12, 2010.</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.hoytandblewett.com Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm homepage]
*[http://www.hoytblewett.com Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm homepage]
*[http://www.montanawrestling.blogspot.com Montana Tournament of Champions Sponsored by Hoyt and Blewett]
*[http://www.umt.edu/law Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana)]
* [http://www.ethicsscoreboard.com/list/morton.html Legal Process As Extortion – The Ethics Scoreboard]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090630032129/http://www.ethicsscoreboard.com/list/morton.html Legal Process As Extortion – The Ethics Scoreboard]
*[http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!76206!0#focus Lassoing a Longhorn (Painting)]
*[http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!76206!0#focus Lassoing a Longhorn (Painting)]


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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Montana lawyers]]
[[Category:Montana lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century American philanthropists]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from Montana]]

Latest revision as of 00:38, 2 August 2023

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]

[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]
  1. ^ Kathryn Haake (September 11, 2015). "Blewett to his law school: Graduate great lawyers, judges ... and a president". The Missoulian. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  2. ^ "Hoyt and Blewett Law Firm". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  3. ^ "Inner Circle". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  4. ^ Paul Davies (March 16, 2006). "Lassos and Lawsuits: Who Really Painted A Cowboy Tableau?" (PDF). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  5. ^ Matt Fleischer-Black (April 1, 2005). "Gibson Dunned". The American Lawyer. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
  6. ^ "Seltzer vs. Morton" (PDF). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Kristin Cates (May 20, 2016). "Blewetts give $10 million to UM law school". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ State of Montana, Laws of Montana (State Publishing Co., 1961, 1963).
  11. ^ "Montana Legislative Leadership". State of Montana. Archived from the original on December 5, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ State of Montana, Laws of Montana (State Publishing Co., 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1951).
  14. ^ "[1] Official MT State Legislature website. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
[edit]
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