Honorable Shane A. Vannatta

Gov. Steve Bullock appointed the Hon. Shane A. Vannatta as district court judge to the newly-created Department 5 of the Fourth Judicial District in February 2019. Judge Vannatta was unanimously confirmed by the Montana State Senate on March 8, 2019. Judge Vannatta was retained for a 6-year term in 2020.

Prior to assuming the bench, Judge Vannatta practiced law for 25+ years in a firm setting. His legal practice focused principally in business law, and included advice for copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, employment, business acquisitions, real property, and contract drafting. He maintained both a transactional and litigation practice.

Judge Vannatta graduated in 1993 from The University of Montana Law School (J.D. with Honors). He served as President of the State Bar of Montana (September 2011-2012), and as the ABA Delegate from the State Bar of Montana for over 6 years, serving on various ABA committees and commissions.

As a private practitioner, Judge Vannatta was recognized on numerous peer-reviewed lists, including Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Best Lawyers in America®, and Martindale-Hubbell. He was recognized in 2019 & 2016 as “Lawyer of the Year” for work in Corporate Law in Missoula, MT, and in 2014 as “Lawyer of the Year” for work in Litigation - Labor & Employment in Missoula, MT.