Michael Wheat

Justice Wheat received his undergraduate degree (political science 1975) and his law degree (1978) from the University of Montana. After graduation, he worked as a Deputy County Attorney in Butte, Montana until 1981, at which time he moved to Bozeman, Montana and established a private law practice where he worked until 2009. Mike’s practice focused on civil trial and appellate advocacy.

Mike was elected to the Montana State Senate in 2002 and served through the 2003 and 2005 legislative sessions. During that time, he served on the Judiciary Committee (Chairman, 2005), as well as Local Government, State Administration &Veteran Affairs, and Natural Resources Committees. He also served on the Environmental Quality Council. He is currently serving on the Uniform Law Commission.

Mike is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam (1968-1969) and was awarded a Purple Heart. He is married to Debby (Craig), a Helena native, and has three sons and a daughter.

Justice Wheat was appointed to the Montana Supreme Court by Governor Brian Schweitzer and took office on January 5, 2010.