Alumni

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

There are numerous UM School of Law graduates involved in military law. Here are just a few:

Honorable Charles E. "Chip" Erdmann

Judge Erdman is one of the nation’s foremost experts on judicial reform in countries emerging from war. He previously spent more than four years as the judicial reform coordinator in the Office of the High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, becoming the only American judge to hold an international judicial position in Bosnia. A former Marine and a retired Colonel in the Montana Air National Guard (JAG), Judge Erdmann was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appels for the Armed Forces in 2002. He is a graduate of Montana State University and The University of Montana School of Law, '75.

Attorney David P. Sheldon

Military Defense Lawyer David P. Sheldon

David Sheldon began his 15-year career as a military defense lawyer in the U.S. Navy, where he spent four years representing officers and enlisted members before the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review, the Court of Military Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He launched his civilian career in 1994, earning a national reputation as an expert in military defense. Today he frequently provides comments and analysis on high-profile military cases for CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC television news and National Public Radio. Mr. Sheldon represents members of every branch of the armed services and the commissioned corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. He is a graduate of the University of Montana and its School of Law, '90.

Honorable Wm. Nels Swandal

Judge/Colonel Nels Swandal

Judge Swandal was first elected to serve as a Montana State District Judge for the 6th Cirucit in January of 1995. He is currently a Colonel in the Montana National Guard, where he serves as a Judge Advocate General officer. He was the Park County Attorney from 1983 to 1994, and a Partner in Swandal, Douglass & Swandal, Livingston, Montana, from 1981 to 1982. He served on Active Duty with the U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Division from 1978 to 1981. Judge/Colonel Swandal graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 1978.

Attorney Bruce J. Barnard

Attorney Bruce Barnard

Bruce J. Barnard has extensive experience practicing energy law, including state and federal energy regulation and energy-related transactions and litigation. The primary focus of Mr. Barnard's practice is the representation of electric utilities before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In 1998, Mr. Barnard retired as a lieutenant colonel after a 21-year career as an Air Force Judge Advocate, during which he practiced extensively in the areas of energy, government contracts and litigation. He graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 1975.

Honorable Jack D. Shanstrom

Judge Shanstrom began his legal career as a member of the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps, serving from 1957-1960. He was in private practice in Livingston, Montana, from 1960-1964; served as assistant city attorney of Livingston in 1960; served as Park county attorney from 1960-1965; served as District court judge, Park County, from 1965-1982. Judge Shanstrom was a U.S. Magistrate for the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana from 1983-1990Judge Shanstrom was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to the U. S. District Court, District of Montana on February 23, 1990, and received commission on May 14, 1990. He served as chief judge from 1996-2001, and assumed senior status on January 30, 2001. Judge Shanstrom received B.A. and B.S. degrees from the University of Montana (1956, 1957), and graduated from the University of Montana School of Law (LL.B.) in 1957.