Ward E. “Mick” Taleff

Biography

Ward E. “Mick” Taleff is a native Montanan who grew up in Great Falls. He attended the University of Utah and graduated with honors. He then entered the University of Montana School of Law, graduating in 1976. He is admitted to all federal and state courts in Montana, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. His legal career has involved representation of individuals and businesses in commercial transactions, insurance matters, estate planning, probate, and litigation. He has acted as a prosecutor, special prosecutor, Special Assistant Montana Attorney General, Special Referee for the Montana Insurance Commissioner, and as an arbitrator. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only association limited to no more than 2% of the attorneys in a State who display the highest ethical standards and trial skills. With Tim Strauch, he was named co-Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2014. He also has an active mediation practice, having conducted approximately 1,000 settlement conferences to assist litigants in resolving disputes without a trial. Mick’s philosophy is to provide each of his clients with a personal, dedicated and ethical representation. He has previously served on and been the Chair of the Great Falls Public School Board of Trustees, various charitable and service organizations, and is the Chair of the Montana Supreme Court Commission on Practice, which hears ethical complaints filed against lawyers.