Reported Cases
Sheehy Law Firm has represented clients through the district courts and on appeal in a wide range of civil matters. A review of Sheehy Law Firm's appeals gives a representative sample of the variety of cases litigated by Martha Sheehy.
Insurance Law
Two Leggins v. Gatrell, 413 Mont. 172, 534 P.3d 668 (2023). Sheehy Law Firm handled the appeal of punitive damages verdict.
Daniels v. Gallatin County, 2022 MT 137 (2022). Sheehy Law Firm and Cok & Kinzler represented a plaintiff, successfully establishing that ASIC's policy limits of $6.5 million could not be reduced based on a statutory cap available to the insured, Gallatin County.
Rolan v. New West Health Services, 2022 MT 1, 407 Mont. 34, 407 Mont. 34 (“Rolan III”). Sheehy represented an insurer in a coverage matter.
ALPS Property & Casualty v. Keller, Reynolds, Drake, Johnson & Gillespie, PC, 2021 MT 46, 403 Mont. 307, 482 P.3d 638. Sheehy Law Firm represented insurer in declaratory action.
Durbin v. Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, 2020 WL 70488 (9th Cir. 2019). Sheehy Law Firm represented Mountain West on a liability coverage "stacking" issue.
American Trucking and Transportation Insurance Company v. Nelson, 771 Fed. Appx. 445, (9th Cir. 2019). Sheehy Law Firm represented ATTIC in a duty-to-defend, arbitration dispute.
Sauerbier Ranches, Inc. v. Catlin Specialty Ins. Co., (9th Cir. 2017); Donovan v. Catlin Specialty Ins. Co.. With co-counsel, Sheehy Law Firm represented Catlin Specialty at trial and on appeal in a bad faith case.
ALPS Property and Casualty Insurance Company v. McLean & McLean, David McLean, Michael McLean and Miantae McConnell, 2018 MT 190, 392 Mont. 236 425 P.3d 651. Sheehy Law Firm represented ALPS in dispute over rescission of insurance contract.
Assoc. Dermatology and Skin Cancer Clinic of Helena, P.C. Profit Sharing Plan and Trust for Benefit of Stephen D. Behlmer, M.D. v. Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, 2017 MT 30, 386 Mont. 298, 387 P.3d 1027. Sheehy Law Firm represented Mountain West.
Associated Dermatology and Skin Cancer Clinic of Helena, P.C. Profit Sharing Plan and Trust for Benefit of Stephen D. Behlmer, M.D. v. Fitte, 2016 MT 349, 386 Mont. 150, 388 P.3d 632. Sheehy Law Firm represented Mountain West.
Dowson and Mountain West Farm Bureau v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 645 Fed. Appx. 532, 2016 WL 1128030 (9th Cir. 2016). Sheehy Law Firm represented Dowson and Mountain West on a "duty to defend" issue.
State Farm Fire & Casualty Company v Schwan, 2013 MT 216, 371 Mont. 182, 308 P.3d 48. Sheehy represented State Farm in this "duty to defend" insurance case.
King v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company, CV 0996-M-DWM, Sheehy represented State Farm in a "duty to defend" coverage matter. 2012 WL 6571276.
Colmore v. Royal Indemnity Co., 2009 WL 902318. Sheehy Law Firm represented Colmore and State Farm Fire in this "duty to defend" action.
Christine Rodkey v. Capitol American Life Insurance Company, 42 F.3d 1401 (Table), CV92-00114-BLG-JFB. Sheehy represented Capitol American Life Insurance Company.
Margaret Coddington v. Wabash Life Ins. Company, CV 90-208-BLG-JDS. Sheehy represented insurer against punitive damage award. 15 F.3d 1083 (9th Cir. 1994)
Constitutional Law
Montanans for Election Reform v. Knudsen, 2023 WL 8103461 (2023). Sheehy Law Firm joined other firms in the successful representation of the proponents of a "Top Four" ballot initiative in an original proceeding in the Montana Supreme Court.
Board of Regents of Higher Education v. State, 2022 MT 128 (2022). Sheehy Law Firm and Holland & Hart represented the Montana Board of Regents in a successful challenge to the constitutionality of guns-on-campus legislation.
Missoula County v. Missoulian, 399 Mont. 553, 459 P.3d 1289 (2020). Sheehy Law Firm defended the public's right to know on behalf of the MIssoulian.
Sheehy v. Commissioner of Political Practices ("COPP"), 2020 MT 37, 399 Mont. 26, 458 P.3d 309. Sheehy challenged COPP's jurisdiction over the Montana University System's Board of Regents.
Unidentified Police Officers v. City of Billings v. Billings Gazette and KTVQ, 2019 MT 299 (Mont. 2019). Sheehy Law Firm represented the media in securing an award of attorney's fees for enforcing the public's right to know.
Billings Gazette v. City of Billings, 2013 MT 334, 372 Mont. 409, 313 P.3d 129. Sheehy Law Firm represented the Billings Gazette in this "right to know" case.
Doty v. Molnar, (table) 372 Mont. 550, 317 P.3d 204 (2013). Sheehy Law Firm represented the Billings Gazette in a dispute regarding confidentiality of sources.
Billings Gazette v. City of Billings, 2011 MT 293, 362 Mont. 522, 267 P.3d 11(2011). Sheehy Law Firm represented the Gazette in this constitutional "right to know" case.
Billings High School District 2 v. Billings Gazette, 335 Mont. 94, 149 P.3d 565, 2006 MT 326. Sheehy Law Firm represented the Gazette regarding availability of attorneys' fees.
Yellowstone County v. Billings Gazette, 2006 MT 218, 333 Mont. 390, 143 P.3d 135 (2006). Sheehy Law Firm represented the Gazette in a dispute involving the propriety of redaction to protect privacy interests.
Amicus Representation
on Appeal
Cross v. Warren and Progressive Ins. Co., 395 Mont. 62, 435 P.3d 1202 (Mont. 2019). Sheehy Law Firm represented Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (APCI) as amicus on appeal.
Montana Association of Counties, et al, v. The State of Montana, by and through Timothy C. Fox, Attorney General, and Corey Stapleton, Secretary of State, OP 17-0358. Sheehy Law Firm represented Montana's daily newspapers as amicus supporting MACo in appeal seeking invalidation of Marsy's Law. Law struck down.
Fisher ex rel. McCartney v. State Farm, 2013 MT 208, 371 Mont. 147, 305 P.3d 861. Amicus Participation on behalf of PCI in support of State Farm re family member exclusion. Prevailed on interpretation.
Tidyman's Mgmt. Services, Inc. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. 2016 MT 201, 384 Mont. 335, 378 P.3d 1182. Amicus Participation on behalf of Montana Defense Trial Lawyers.
Tidyman's Mgmt. Services, Inc. v. Davis, 2014 MT 205, 376 Mont. 8,330 P.3d 1139. Amicus Participation, related to above.
Goldstein v. Commission on Practice of Montana Supreme Court, 98-011, 97-557, 297 Mont. 493, 995 P.2d 923 (2000). Sheehy represented the State Bar of Montana as amicus.
Other Cases
Camen v. Glacier Eye Clinic, 413 Mont. 277, 539 P.3d 1062 (2023). Martha Sheehy and Craig Daue sought and obtained a new trial for injured plaintiff in a medical malpractice action.
Montana Republican Party v. Graybill, 2020 WL 5363308 (2020). Sheehy Law Firm defended candidate against complaint for declaration of ineligibility.
E.J. ex rel. B.J v Montana Contractor's Assn Health Care Trust, CV 09-133-BLG-RFC. Sheehy Law Firm represented a health care trust in an ERISA matter. 2011 WL 3808158.
McCracken v. Lockwood School District, 2006 WL 3314621. Sheehy Law Firm represented the McCrackens in ERISA and breach of contract dispute, in the jury trial and on appeal.
Brent v. Thirteenth Judicial District, OP 08-0523. Sheehy represented the five judges of the Thirteenth Judicial District in this proceeding initiated by the clerk of court.
Wells v. Young, 2002 MT 102, 309 Mont. 419, 47 P.3d 135 (2002). Sheehy represented Young in all phases of trial and appeal of this water dispute.
BEA v. School District 2; Montana Supreme Court, Case No. 02-732. Sheehy Law Firm represented the BEA (teachers' union) in district court and in Supreme Court during and in the aftermath of a strike.
Montco v. Simonich, 285 Mont. 280, 947 P.2d 1047 (1997). Martha Sheehy represented Montco.
Buck v. Billings Montana Chevrolet, 248 Mont. 276, 811 P.2d 537 (1991). Sheehy represented FS Enterprises in this wrongful termination lawsuit.