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1895
Foundations in Billings, Montana
The firm traces its roots to 1895 when W. M. Johnston opened a thriving law practice across the street from the bustling Northern Pacific Depot in Billings, Montana. From the beginning, the firm served the legal needs of local families, small businesses, farmers and ranchers, lenders, hospitals and physician groups, and energy pioneers and power generators. As the firm’s reputation grew over the ensuing decades, so did the firm. To better serve increasingly diverse and complex client needs, the firm opened offices in Helena, Montana (1991), Williston, North Dakota (1996), Kalispell, Montana (1997), Bozeman, Montana (2000), and Missoula, Montana (2003).
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1945
Foundations in Bismarck, North Dakota
Alvin C. Strutz, who would go on to serve as Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court, and Clifford Jansonius founded their own firm in 1945 not far from the Northern Pacific Depot in Bismarck, North Dakota. Ernest (Ernie) R. Fleck joined them in 1948, and the Bismarck firm soon gained prominence and a strong reputation across North Dakota legal circles with a focus on oil and gas, energy, litigation, and commercial work.
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1953
Commitment to the Legal Profession
The firm counts among its partners and former partners lawyers of formidable ability and integrity, dedicated to the profession. In 1953, William J. Jameson was elected President of the American Bar Association. He would later receive the ABA’s highest honor in 1973, the ABA Medal, cementing the firm’s dedication to the legal profession and public service. Crowley Fleck lawyers are active in state and national bar association boards, committees and commissions, and are steadfast educators in the training of other attorneys, clients, and community organizations.
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1996
Commitment to Communities
The firm demonstrated its commitment to public service when it formally established an in-house pro bono program in 1996, including the retention of a full-time pro bono attorney, Gary Connelley, dedicated to developing and leading the program. The firm’s lawyers contribute countless hours of pro bono legal services to individuals and organizations throughout the region and tirelessly serve on numerous local charitable and nonprofit boards.
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2009
Two Historic Firms Join Forces
On January 1, 2009, two historic firms—Crowley, Haughey, Hanson, Toole & Dietrich PLLP (Montana), and Fleck, Mather & Strutz, Ltd. (North Dakota)—merged to form Crowley Fleck PLLP. To perfect the vision of becoming a formidable regional firm, the firm added offices in Casper, Wyoming (2011), Butte, Montana (2011), Sheridan, Wyoming (2012), and Cheyenne, Wyoming (2013). Today, the firm continues to serve diverse clientele, including national and international businesses representing virtually every industry across its region. Having secured an office in each of the three capital cities for Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota, the firm can effectively meet its clients’ governmental, lobbying, and regulatory needs.
