Dean Irma Russell

Dean  Irma Russell was the first woman to head the University of Montana Law School.

Dean Irma Russell, University of Montana

--prior to being asked to step down from UM Law
(see picture with a smiling Dean Irma Russell below)

2015 update: Two more law student prosecutors in summer '15 and a 68% Bar pass rate.  The Blewett Law School will let any student prosecute, because they blew it when they applied and enrolled.

2014 Update: former Dean Russell can be accredited with a drop of 30% in the passage rate of the Bar Exam at the U of Montana.  The former passage rate was 94% and current 64%.  Hope she is fond of Montana corruption because these stats dont make her attractive as a candidate for any other law school.

also...no Dean accepted after candidate process.  U MT Law hired an interim dean Greg Munro who also wont meet with the public.

2013 UPDATE:

Dean Irma Russell Salary has been searched quite a bit.  Many people want to know how much it pays to take the helm of the unlawful behavior of the University of Montana Law School.  The UM office of Policy and Budget has offered a range for the salary of $170,000 to $185,000.  Dean Irma Russell's salary is also in the $170,000 to $185,000 range presently, according to the policy and budget office.

IS IRMA RUSSELL ENJOYING THE DESTRUCTION OF HER CAREER, THE RESIGNATION OF HER JOB?
University of Montana

Dean Irma Russell was asked to look the other way for Angela Wetzsteon, as she prosecuted law unsupervised, otherwise known as felony impersonation of a public official.
read more: www.AngelaWetzsteon.blogspot.com [more than 2350 views]

Dean Irma Russell appointed Peggy Tonon, and former Dean Eck to a paid advisory board.

These two former staff of the University of Montana Law School were instrumental in allowing Angela Wetzsteon to avoid prosecution (and are reciving public fund paybacks).

Dean Irma Russell got a 10 page formal report from the American Bar or ABA about Angela Wetzsteon and unlawful (unsupervised) student practice.
Dean Irma Russell ignored the report.
read more: http://wethepeoplemt.blogspot.com/2012/12/american-bar-is-corrupt-says-spreadbury.html

Dean Irma Russell decided that she would not meet with members of the public who pay for the University of Montana law school.  Dean Irma Russell made a big mistake.

Today, Dean Irma Russell was asked to resign.

Dean Irma Russell was sent this letter:
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Honorable Dean Irma Russell                                        May 3, 2013

University of Montana Law School

Missoula, MT 59812-2576

SENT BY CERTIFIED US MAIL, FAX AND ELECTRONIC MAIL

RE: Former staff approved to be paid advisors for the Montana Law School

It has come to my attention that two former faculty as Angela Wetzsteon ’08 practiced unsupervised August 8, 2007 are paid advisors to your law school.  Wetzsteon’s practice has been protected by officials in various levels of importance, from US District Judges in conflict, on the UM Board of visitors, to the current and former Montana Attorney General, to Governor appointment in 2013, even 2008 US Presidential appointment to your predecessor Dean Eck.

The level of crime involved is hard to grasp when so much unethical behavior is involved.  Assisting the unauthorized practice of any person (including alumni of UM Law) violate Montana Ethics Rule 5.5.  While you have standing as an ABA Ethics scholar, my Webster’s Dictionary lists ethical as “conforming to acceptable standards of conduct.”  This is where the problem originates.  By not meeting with citizens at a publically supported University, protecting the criminal and unethical conduct of a former student, then approving staff that were integral to the criminal acts of Angela Wetzsteon ‘08 as paid UM law advisors reached strike three.

The University of Montana recently has seen the departure of Chief Counsel David Aronofsky who admitted third year law students (3L) continue to practice unsupervised. 
read more: http://wethepeoplemt.blogspot.com/2013/04/david-aronofsky-montana-open-letter.html

The University was plagued with a rape crisis, exacerbated by UM law alumnus unable to break corruption in their professional endeavors to prosecute rapes at UM.  That lawyer “product” are UM graduating law students, who impersonate public officials as students, and in Wetzsteon’s case enjoin perjury by swearing 21 May 2010 supervision.  These crimes are serious felonies, just as the many rape offenses transpired on the University of Montana Campus without prosecution.

Your law school, under your direction is the origin and etiology of the rape crisis.  Crime does not pay, nor does conspiring or agreeing to cover it up, or pretending it doesn’t exist Ms. Russell.

Jim Messina ’93 on the Alumni Board for the University of Montana is finding this out by way of great significance to insignificance, as is his protégé, US Senator Max Baucus.  The UM Chief Counsel, to former Dean Edwin Eck, and now your former clinics director Peggy Tonon need to learn this valuable lesson.  Before UM’s accreditation is removed by the AALS, ABA as this lesson is not yet learned, please step down before it compromises future law education in Montana.   Tell UM President Engstrom: ignoring crime was your downfall as UM Law Dean.

I have written a comprehensive report about the Montana Law School sent to you by the American Bar Association indicating on October 20, 2007 your faculty knew or should have known that a student practiced unsupervised, a felony crime.  As other students have practiced unsupervised or bragged about it online, your faculty is negligent; and as their Dean, their leader.
read more http://wethepeoplemt.blogspot.com/2012/12/american-bar-is-corrupt-says-spreadbury.html

There is an organization called the European Law Student Association or ELSA.  They span forty-two (42) countries and have 37,000 members.  This organization promotes human rights, and effective use of law skills.  They endorse the disbarment of UM’s Angela Wetzsteon for unsupervised prosecution, use of tampered evidence, and violations of protected, and sworn rights.  Your law school got the ELSA’s attention in the USA by covering up those crimes.
reseach ELSA: http://elsa.org/

Since you have promoted, and pay former staff of the Montana Law School to advise your school on criminal acts, you entered the same category as David Aronofsky.  Any faculty or staff at the University of Montana who promote or cover up criminal acts have no future on campus. 

You’re fired.

Sincerely,

 /s/

Michael Spreadbury ’01 UM School of Education

cc: Royce Engstrom UM President

      Chairman, Montana Board of Regents

      Susan Prager, CEO American Association of Law Schools (AALS)
      [Ms. Prager left the AALS in shame]

      Consultant on Legal Education, ABA Chicago
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Angela Wetzsteon's supervisor as a law student: George Corn
www.GeorgeCorn.com

Montana Governor Steve Bullock protecting Wetzsteon:
www.MontanaPoliticalNews.com
www.SteveBullockMT.blogspot.com
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This is what I said to the American Association of Law Schools about Dean Irma Russell:

Dear AALS,

I wanted to thank your staff for its diligence with regard to UM law. I am asking for the removal of the Dean due to appointing two faculty responsible for criminal acts with respect to law education (Dean Ed Eck, Cinics Dir. Peggy Margaret Tonon) to a board of clinics for the law school. The school is under US DOJ investigation, and has condoned looking the other way for crime.

Attached is the letter sent to Ms. Russell, Dean today as well as ABA, our state Board of Regents, and the UM President.

Thank you for your time, and consider sanctions, or removal of this school from AALS.

Sincerely,

Michael Spreadbury

victim of Student prosecution from University of Montana

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This is what I said to the American Bar, Consultant on Legal Education about Dean Irma Russell

Dear Legal Consultant to Education

American Bar Association

Please be aware that since my comprehensive report dated November 5, 2010 addressed to your section of the ABA in Chicago, (available: http://wethepeoplemt.blogspot.com/2012/12/american-bar-is-corrupt-says-spreadbury.html) the Dean of the Montana Law school has appointed two faculty who were responsible for the unauthorized practice of a law student at the Univeristy of Montana. The campus has seen international attention for rapes not prosecuted due to incompetent law alum (still under US DOJ investigation) and a $28M shortfall in budget which is seeing widespread cuts in the University budget.

I was handled especially abusively by a paralegal in your department who is blindly getting a copy of this correspondence.

Please note the European Student Law Assn in 42 countries is aware of this situaiton in Montana. Attached is the letter sent today to Ms. Irma Russell, formerly an ethics scholar with the ABA. Would this organization now consider sanctions against UM law Missoula MT?

Sincerely,

Michael Spreadbury

victim of 2008 law student who practiced unsupervised August 8, 2007 (felony impersonation of public official),

sworn statement May 21, 2010 that Angela Wetzsteon was supervised (felony perjury; protected by Governor Bullock).

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This is what I said to the UM Presidents office about Dean Irma Russell:

Dear Ms. Power,

[Assistant to UM President Engstrom]

enclosed is a copy of a letter sent today to Dean Irma Russell. By looking the other way for student crime, then appointing former faculty to advise who were engaged in crime is described in this letter. I would assume that any staff covering up crime on the UM campus, or paying people who engaged in it would no longer be welcome at UM.

This is how the last two years of deficit occurred on campus: ignoring crime.

Thank you so much for passing this onto your boss, Mr. Engstrom President of the University of Montana.

Michael Spreadbury

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Good luck Ms. Irma Russell. 
[if I could make a suggestion for your upcoming "ethics" text Ms. Russell]
why dont you echo the Montana Bar intorductary ethics clause:protected activity (speach, assembly, protecting self/property) should never be prosecuted, along with known innocence.  Your law students and alum of UM law seem to miss this after graduation.
you probably need some serious ideas anyway!

University of Montana Law School violates ABA standards

Consultant on Legal Education                                 November 5, 2010

American Bar Association

321 N. Clark St.

Chicago, IL 60654-7598

 

RE: University of Montana Law School, Missoula, MT 59812

 

Abstract:

This report is to inform the legal consultant on Education, the Accreditation Committee, and the Council of the Section of Legal Education of the American Bar Association of violations of standards, and criminal acts by students at the above mentioned law school.

Acknowledgement:

Thanks is given to Beverly Holmes, of the Legal Education Section for providing the standards of review, the format and procedure to lodge this letter in compliance with Rule 24: Law School Non-compliance with the Standards.

Background:

The American Bar Association, based in Chicago, IL grants approval to law schools who comply with their strict law school standards in the United States.  At present, the American Bar Association has sanctioned and approved a law school in Missoula, Montana.  The name of the School is The University of Montana Law School.

 

The University of Montana Law School is the only law school in the state.   The State of Montana is the third largest state in the lower 48 states of the United States.  Montana’s population is currently less than 1 million residents.  The US Department of Justice has ranked Montana as the 48^th state out of 48 for justice in 2007.

Body of Report:

On August 8, 2007 a law student named Angela Wetzsteon (available: www.AngelaWetzsteon.blogspot.com) entered a Ravalli County courtroom in Hamilton, MT approximately 50 miles south of Missoula, Montana.  Without supervision, or Montana Bar License, this law student:

·         Broke speedy trial of the Defendant

·         Broke rules of criminal procedure for the State of Montana with respect to discovery.

·         Knowingly used tampered evidence to convict a Defendant

·         Did not submit required introductory paperwork to court prior to trial

·         Violated Defendants inalienable right to justifiably defend property in Montana

·         By omission, did not speak against false arrest warrant although licensed Defense counsel was in court on behalf of Defendant.

·         Was not supervised, observed or otherwise overseen by a competent, licensed attorney.

·         Violated the Montana Student Practice Act (Order #12982) of the MT Supreme Court.

·         Was in criminal contempt per Montana Code Ann. § 45-7-309, a misdemeanor.

[ Note: it was later determined that US Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), and Deputy Chief of Staff for President Obama named Jim Messina used their power over the legislative, judiciary and executive branches to give US Presidential appointment to Dean Eck and at least $1.7M to protect Wetzsteon via a "donation" to the Montana Law School.]

The students name was obscured intentionally for three years by George Corn the former Ravalli County Attonrey (available: www.GeorgeCorn.com), and first discovery of the actual name was in the third week in April, 2010 as is supported in affidavit attached to this report.[1]  This student is a 2008 graduate of the University of Montana Law School in Missoula, MT.

 

A second student, Audry Schultz a 2009 graduate of the University of Montana Law School wrote on her Linkedin® online professional account that she  “independently prosecuted defendants…” for the Missoula County Attorney Office in Missoula, MT.  Notice of this student practice was given to the current Dean of the law school electronically on July 10, 2010[2].

Violations to the Montana Student Practice Act (Order #12982) by the second student include:

·         Length of clinical instruction not to exceed 12 months.  Student #2, in online professional account indicated 1yr. 1mo. for “Student Prosecutor” in Missoula County.

·         Practice of law without supervisor is unauthorized practice of law in State of Montana.

·         Contempt of Court; Montana Code Ann. MCA §47-7-309.

·         Counsel victims, and negotiating plea agreements are not unsupervised actions as per the Montana Student Practice Act of 1975.

Standards in question for University of Montana Law School

For the American Bar Association to approve a law school, it must meet all of the standards for approval of law schools.  The report which delineates these standards is entitled 2010-2011 ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools.  The Standards are also available online at: www.abanet.org/legaled/standards/standards.html . 

Specifically, the University of Montana Law school is having difficulty meeting two standards for the American Bar Association.

Standard 101-  program is consistent with sound legal education principles.

Standard 504- involving the character and fitness of law students.

A program which allows law students to commit misdemeanor crimes is not a program with sound legal ed. principals.  To knowingly disobey a court order is criminal contempt in the State of Montana.  To allow practice law unsupervised, and unlicensed as a law student is an unsound legal education principle.

To allow a student to practice law unsupervised for 13 months (student #2 admission) is in violation of the Montana Student Practice Act and also not sound legal education.  The learning element of student practice engrains an attorney for their work life as they function in the courts.  By the University of Montana allowing students to practice law prior to oath, passing of the Bar, and unsupervised in a clinical instruction environment[3] is not sound legal education as would be recognized by the American Bar Association.

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standards for an accredited law school are to develop attorneys who will benefit the court system, and not detract and make the worst situation in the country for justice even worse.  The Association has a high degree of esteem and respect from the American public to voluntarily oversee the professional conduct of attorneys in the United States.  The motto of the ABA is defending liberty and pursuing justice.  A way for the Association to meet their objectives of their motto is to stringently piece through a failing program in Missoula, MT to ensure compliance with ABA standards as prescribed in their standards for legal education.  At the discretion of the ABA, and their respective committees, officers and rules, a site visit to ensure compliance is requested.

Students who are taught that violating law, ethical standards, and constitutional rights of US Citizens prior to Juris Doctorate degree are not fit, or have the right character and temperament to be attorneys.  The ABA standard for law students fitness for legal education is found in ABA standard 504.  The University of Montana has not met this standard for the two students described within this report.  Due to at least two standards being breeched, the University of Montana is ripe for sanctions, review, and potentially temporary closure due to the severity of the enclosed ABA standard violations.

Actions taken by University of Montana Law School

The former Dean of the University of Montana Law School, Ed. Eck met with a member of the public without any problem and student practice was discussed using sworn statements from a Ravalli County Justice.  This meeting was on October 20, 2007 at 1:30pm.  At this time, the University of Montana Law school knew of should have known of its student clinic problems, character and fitness problems of their law students, and other problems that a reasonable Dean of an ABA sanctioned law school would make to repair the issues presented in the aforementioned meeting.  Otherwise, the term for this conduct by the University of Montana Law School is negligence to the American Bar Association standards of legal education.

Student #2 in this report was a year after student #1 at the University of Montana Law School.  In other words, after the activities of student #1 is fully described to then Dean Eck, nothing within the governance of The University of Montana Law School stopped the behavior or criminal activity, character fitness, and unauthorized practice within this ABA approved, and sanctioned Law School.  At least two Standards are in question here, as addressed in the previous section (Standard 101, 504).  A fundamental breakdown of faculty action, or staff ability to circumvent major breeches in the conduct of law students at the University of Montana is seen throughout this report.

 

Implications of current Law Student/Law School activity

The implications to activities at the University of Montana (UM) Law School as currently functioning are quite severe.  A defendant represented by a UM law student may not get full protection under the law, full ethical understanding, or even full legal understanding. 

[Note: the author has opposed UM attorneys as self represented Plaintiff and in one example was not familiar with mediation practices, appellate procedure; had misrepresented situation to court, myself. Moreover, University of Montana grads are not taught to uphold constitutional rights in court, or know any law ethics.] 

A student or UM law graduate who is not fully prepared for court will not represent their clients well, or be able to fully exercise law as a sworn court officer.  An alumni of UM law who was retained [Mathew Stevenson of Missoula MT] see http://wethepeoplemt.blogspot.com/2014/02/mathew-stevenson-missoula-attorney.html  did ask a client to turn themselves in for an action which was not a crime; again a fitness issue (Standard 504).  If the State of Montana ranks last for justice does not matter; it matters here whether a student is prepared, per ABA guidelines to perform professionally in any court environment.  As this report is clearly showing, the UM law program does not meet societal, or ABA standards for legal education.

The current Dean of the UM law school, Irma Russell has a tremendous background in professional responsibility and ethics.  However, Ms. Russel has refused numerous requests for meeting, spanning more than a 15 month period.  There are no current lawsuits pending against the UM by the author.  A UM president legal counsel by name of David Aronofsky did harass and cajole the author after attempting contact with the UM law school, not within the Standards set by the American Bar Association for legal education.  The author did block Mr. Aronofsky twice from email communications with the University of Montana [he "retired"].

In 2009, the author has made professional contact with the vice dean, the clinics director, the Dean, the new UM President office, the UM President legal staff, and has utilized the Jameson Law Library to prepare cases due to no attorney in the region willing to prepare a civil rights case, or tort for damages against the UM student practice in 2007.  This refusal gives good merit to the legal climate within the State of Montana, and the legal preparation by the UM law school of its students.  By quick review of the Standards, UM students and staff at the law school are out of compliance with ABA standards for accredited law schools.

ABA onerous to the non-compliance to the standards at UM

In Febraury, 2011 a new form will be provided to report writers for indicating non-compliance with ABA standards.  It will be entitled:  “Complaint Against an ABA-Approved Law School”.  As a voluntary professional organization, the American Bar Association has the responsibility to accredit law schools.  At the present time, the ABA has accredited the UM law school and its current practices as described herein.  In plain English, the ABA is now responsible for the UM law school and its actions due to accrediting it at some past date.  The ABA has a responsibility to the public, to its approved law schools to hold a minimum standard.  The University of Montana law school is so far below this standard that it is knowingly allowing its student s to commit criminal acts as law students.  After being informed of this transgression of Standard 101, and Standard 504 the students of UM law continue, and continue to violate the accreditation standards for ABA law schools.

The current Dean, Irma Russell is an ABA champion with respect to professional responsibility and ethics.  Yet, a reply email or return call was not accomplished by the UM Dean.  Even one which said: “I am not at liberty to meet with you in regards to student practice or any other Law School policy”.   If Irma Russell is an ABA liaison on the standing committee on ethics, and the standing committee for professional responsibility and cannot accomplish basic communication to the public, nor meet with members of the public of a publically funded law school, is there any standard or decency in law anywhere?

The UM law school in 2010 under Dean Russell has decided to protect student #1 online, using their web capabilities.  An example of this is found at: www.umt.edu/law/students/competition/moot_national.htm.   If an ABA standing committee member and current Dean of UM law will be willing to protect a student who practiced law without a license, and committed a criminal act, is that a school the ABA wishes to use its name as “approved”?  Should I contact the US Department of Justice with respect to these actions by UM law students, staff, and Dean?  A real response from the ABA with respect to a problem I have traced for 20 years in Montana is being requested by this report.  Former Montana Chief Justice Gray asked when law students are lawyers [and suggested that they be exempt from taking the Montana Bar exam] in the dissent in Shapiro before the Montana Supreme Court in 1996 (Shapiro v. Jefferson Co. 278 Mont. 109 (1996) .

It is hoped that the ABA feels that attorneys are prepared in law school, and can practice ethically and appropriately when they have passed a state Bar exam, sworn an oath to respective constitutions, and follow a personal code of ethics that are learned in an approved ABA law school that follows the aforementioned standards.

By all accounts in this report, the University of Montana is not following the ABA standards described in the accreditation standards of your organization.  As the infamous saying says, is the ABA part of the problem, or part of the solution?  A member of your standing committee does not appear to be professionally upstanding with respect to criminal behavior of its law students. Imagine the impact of a false incarceration, or arrest in the 21^st century climate of employment.  If those arose by way of an ABA approved law school, or law student, where does the responsibility rest?  The author does not believe the ABA seeks that liability.

The author of this report requests that the Council, Accreditation Committee, and Consultant on Legal Education consider carefully the aspect of an ABA approved law school condoning criminal acts on the part of its students.  It is happening, and being protected by a standing member of your ethics, and professional responsibility committee, Ms. Irma Russell.

The very core of the ABA is at stake here.  This report is to be retained by your organization for a period of ten (10) years.  The crossroad decision is this: does the ABA cover for a ranking member who is now Dean of UM law school and thereby condone criminal acts within law schools, or uphold the ABA standards regardless of the fallout, political or otherwise.  The author will put blind faith in the ABA, hoping standards will stop this situation at an ABA approved law school.  Surely criminal acts and acts of law students unauthorized to practice will be considered as non-compliance by committee, council, or consultant.  This comprehensive report was written so the ABA may have the tools to take the action that is required by standard, rule, ethics, or law.

I authorize the Consultant on Legal Education to disclose this report and my identity to the law school discussed in the report.  Perhaps when a request for response from their accrediting organization it will trigger a response.  I have had no luck with Dean Russell.

Any misrepresentation of actions, irrelevant facts, or omissions or attempts at defamation on the part of the University of Montana law school in any response will be met with swift, harsh and complete legal complaint by the author.  The actual facts, without bias, in good faith are presented in this report to the ABA.  Misrepresentation has been rampant in the State of Montana’s response to allegations of criminal activity by UM law students.  This includes the Montana Bar, Attorney General, and the UM law school staff and Dean.

The author wishes the American Bar Association success in addressing the non-compliance of accreditation Standards for legal education at the University of Montana.

The author had a national security clearance and was decorated exceptional service prior to the full impact of the student practice in 2007, and has lost a minimum of three years of income, and character defamation.  On November 2, 2010 the supervisor attorney for Angela Wetzsteon (student #1) was removed from office through efforts of the author for 3 years.  He was considered “invincible”.  Legal education standards need to be applied to the University of Montana Law School before any more incidents of unauthorized practice arise.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and hard work at the ABA.  My work with respect to this situation, outside of any courtroom is now complete. [Or so I thought--corrupt bastards]

 

Signed and dated this __5th___ day of November, 2010

 

                                        /s/

________________________________________________

                              Michael E. Spreadbury

PO Box 416

Hamilton MT 59840     

www.AngelaWetzsteon.blogspot.com for bumperstickers asking for the prosecution of Angela Wetzsteon for her criminal act of practicing law August 8, 2007 as a law student.  She continues to prosecute without sworn oath, in the county she practiced solo as a Montana Law student, and does not lawfully exist (Ravalli Co. MT) due to no legitimate county seat in Hamilton, MT.
Ref: Montana Code Annotated MCA 7-2-2103

 

Many thanks for the ESLA (European Law Student Assn) for their support of Angela Wetzsteon's disbarment from law in Montana. http://elsa.org  for more.

 

Dean Eck of Montana law was given a US Presidential apointment to the IRS in 2008 to look the other way for Angela Wetzsteon's criminal acts.  He lives in Missoula MT, and unbelievably has been given emeritus status AND paid board of clinics advisory to the Montana Law school.



RESIGNATION REQUEST FOR CURRENT DEAN:
http://wethepeoplemt.blogspot.com/2013/05/dean-irma-russell.html

Jim Messina, although re-elected US President Obama in 2012 is booted from the administration.  He currently works for gay issues in the United Kingdom (UK), and for Planet Hilary Clinton.

Attachments:

 Appendix A (two affidavits) re: Angela Wetzsteon practiced law without supervision.

Appendix B   July 10, 2010 email Dean Russell: Shultz ’09 as independent “Student Prosecutor”

Appendix C  The Montana Student Practice Act Order #12982; MT Supra April 30, 1975

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[1]  Appendix A is an Affidavit supporting misrepresentation of UM Law student by Ravalli County, unauthorized practice of law on August 8, 2007.

[2] Appendix B is information on the second law student to practice law unauthorized.

[3] Clinical Instruction is the purpose of the Montana Student Practice Act of 1975 (MT Supra Order #12982).