Dana Christensen

Dana Christensen

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the District of Montana

Tenure

2011 - Present

Years in position

13

Education

Bachelor's

Stanford University, 1973

Law

University of Montana Law, 1976

Personal

Birthplace

New York, N.Y.

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Dana Christensen is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Montana. He joined the court in 2011 after a nomination from President Barack Obama. Prior to nomination, he was a partner in the firm firm of Christensen, Moore, Cockrell, Cummings, & Axelberg, P.C. in Kalispell, Montana. He was chief judge from 2013 to March 2020.

On December 8, 2022, Christensen announced that he would assume senior status upon the confirmation of his successor.

Early life and education

Christensen received a bachelor's from Stanford University in 1973 and a J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 1976.

Professional career

Christensen was a private practice attorney for his entire career, prior to his nomination to the federal court. He practiced in Billings, Montana from 1977-1981 and in Kalispell, Montana from 1981-2011.

Judicial career

District of Montana

Nomination Tracker
Nominee Information
Name: Dana Christensen
Court: District of Montana
Progress
Confirmed 215 days after nomination.
ANominated: May 4, 2011
AABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
AHearing: September 7, 2011
QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more)
AReported: October 6, 2011
AConfirmed: December 5, 2011
AVote: Voice

On May 4, 2011 Obama nominated Dana Christensen to the United States District Court for the District of Montana to a seat vacated by Donald Molloy. Obama told the press, "These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system. I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity."

Christensen was rated Unanimously Well Qualified by the ABA. He had a hearing before the Senate Judiciary committee on September 7, 2011 and you can find his Committee Questionnaire available here and his Questions for the Record available here.

He was reported by the committee on October 6, 2011 and was confirmed with a Senate voice vote on December 5, 2011.

Noteworthy cases

Order returning Yellowstone grizzly bear to endangered species list (2018)

On August 30, 2018, Judge Christensen issued a 14-day restraining order blocking Wyoming and Idaho from opening the first public grizzly bear hunts since 1975. He later extended the order to September 20.

Grizzly bear hunts were scheduled to begin September 1 in Wyoming and Idaho. Hunts were announced after the U.S. Department of the Interior delisted Yellowstone grizzly bears from the endangered species list in 2017. Plaintiffs, including the Crow Indian Tribe, sued the state of Wyoming and the U.S. federal government, challenging the bears' removal from the list. The plaintiffs argued the bears' survival was still questionable. Supporters of the hunt argued there were too many bears in the area killing livestock and negatively impacting deer and elk populations. Click here to read Christensen's August 30 ruling.

On September 24, Christensen issued an order returning grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park to the endangered species list. Yellowstone covers areas in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Christensen ruled the federal government failed to consider the impact delisting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly would have on other bear populations. He also said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "acted arbitrarily and capriciously" in its application of the Endangered Species Act's threats analysis. Click here to read Christensen's September 24 ruling.

Earthjustice attorney Tim Preso, who argued the case, said in a statement, "This is a victory for the bears and for people from all walks of life who come to this region to see the grizzly in its natural place in the world." Bonnie Rice, senior representative for the Sierra Club's Our Wild America campaign, also supported Christensen's decision. "We’re glad the court sided with science instead of states bent on reducing the Yellowstone grizzly population and subjecting these beloved bears to a trophy hunt," she said.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso (R) opposed the ruling, which he said was a "prime example why Congress should modernize the Endangered Species Act." Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation directing the Interior Department to reissue an order delisting the bears and prohibiting further judicial review of the decision. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a statement expressing disappointment in the judge's ruling but defending its decision to delist the bears.

See also

• United States District Court for the District of Montana
• News: Christensen becomes 17th federal judge in Montana's history, January 24, 2012

External links

• Judge Dana Christensen Federal Judicial Center Bio

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	United States District Court for the District of Montana 2011-Present	Succeeded by -

Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama
Nominated	Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama

Montana courts

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Federal courts:

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Montana • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Montana

State courts:

Montana Supreme Court • Montana District Courts • Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction • Montana Water Court • Montana Workers' Compensation Court

State resources:

Courts in Montana • Montana judicial elections • Judicial selection in Montana