• 03/02/2021
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA Case Number: PR 21-0004
PR 21-0004
FILED
IN RE PETITION OF PAULA HOBSON
MAR 0 2 2021
MERCER FOR REINSTATEMENT TO ACTIVE ORDE:iiw_
6wen Greenwood
Clerk of Supreme Court
STATUS IN THE STATE BAR OF MONTANA State of Montana
Paula Hobson Mercer has petitioned this Court for reinstatement to active status in
the State Bar of Montana. The petition indicates that Mercer voluntarily chose inactive
status on March 31, 2010. It is the Court's practice in such cases, given the amount oftime
since Mercer has been on active status, to require a character and fitness review and the
completion of continuing education. Therefore,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner shall submit to an investigation
conducted by the Commission on Character and Fitness, which, in its discretion, may be a
limited investigation. Petitioner shall comply with the character and fitness process and
timely produce information and documentation as requested by the Commission. The
Commission will investigate Petitioner's character and fitness in accordance with the Rules
of Procedure of the Commission on Character and Fitness. The Commission will advise
the Court whether the Petitioner has been certified, conditionally certified, or denied
certification. If the Commission denies certification, the Commission will issue written
findings offact, conclusions oflaw, and a decision pursuant to Section 5(c)(6) ofthe Rules
of Procedure of the Commission on Character and Fitness. If the Petitioner is certified or
conditionally certified by the Commission on Character and Fitness, the Petitioner shall be
admitted to the active practice of law in Montana upon payment of appropriate dues and
fees and penalties to the State Bar of Montana.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, if admitted, within six months of admission to
the active practice of law, Petitioner shall submit to the Board of Continuing Legal
Education, P.O. Box 577, Helena, MT 59624, proof of attendance at thirty hours of
approved Continuing Legal Education to be credited to the time Petitioner was on inactive
status. This may include approved credits previously obtained by Petitioner during the last
two years, if any.
The Clerk is directed to provide copies of this order to the Petitioner and the State
Bar of Montana.
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DATED this day of March, 2021.
Chief Justice
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