Billings Gazette v. State Ex Rel. Commission on Practice & Office of Disciplinary Counsel

¶1 After attorney Moira D’Alton (D’Alton) admitted to violating various rules of professional conduct, she was publicly censured by this Court. However, the actions which constituted conduct violations remained confidential under the Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement. The Billings Gazette (Gazette) sought a copy of her disciplinary file and the Commission on Practice (Commission) and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) refused to provide it. The Gazette sued in the First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County, and the District Court held that it did not have jurisdiction…