THE FIRM

Established in 2016, Southwest Montana Legal Services maintains the highest and strictest standards when it comes to our clients and the law.  We have a solid reputation for being responsive, dedicated, and thorough which stems from an unyielding work ethic and thirst for knowledge.  The more we know, the better an asset we are to you.

Southwest Montana Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm for clients who earn too much to qualify for free/pro bono legal services, but also earn too little to afford a traditional attorney.  

It is not a stretch to say we live and breathe the law.  Nothing is more important to us than playing a role in upholding your rights and the rights of the community.

ATTENTION TO DETAILS

It's not a secret that planning and preparation pays off.  At Southwest Montana Legal Services, we place an emphasis on details, as that is what allows us to provide you with the best legal advice and build the best strategy.  Whether helping file for the dissolution of a marriage or preparing for trial, we prefer to take a cooperative approach and cover all the bases.  As a full-service law firm, our goal is to provide you with guidance and solutions, regardless of the legal situation.  This is our way of ensuring your case gets the proper attention and you get the closure you deserve.

Jody Elizabeth Smith, Attorney at Law

Founder and President

Jody graduated from Washington and Lee School of Law in 2012.  During law school, she participated in a clinic devoted to assisting coal miners obtain black lung benefits.  Jody graduated from law school with the intention of helping people of low to modest means who had few options in obtaining legal counsel.  She did a fellowship continuing her work with coal miners in their pursuit of black lung benefits.  Thereafter, she worked as a public defender representing clients in misdemeanor, felony, and revocation proceedings, mental commitment hearings, conservator and guardianship proceedings, and parents in delinquency and neglect matters.  She is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. Jody is passionate about the law and recognizes the difficulties and frustrations clients felt about not being able to afford competent, skilled, and caring representation.  She decided to start Southwest Montana Legal Services to serve that group.  She has great ambitions for this firm and believes, in time, the firm will provide legal assistance to countless Montanans.