Alexander (Zander) Blewett, III

Seltzer vs. Morton

Blewett is most noted for the $21.4 million malicious prosecution and abuse of process verdict he obtained against Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, one of the most high powered law firms in the world, in the case of Seltzer v. Morton. The $21.4 million verdict in actual and punitive damages was one of the largest in the country in 2005 and attracted attention from the Wall Street Journal and other national publications.

Gibson Dunn sued Seltzer on behalf of Steve Morton, an art collector who owned the painting, "Lassoing a Longhorn." Morton purchased the painting from Kennedy Galleries of New York for $38,000 in 1972. Affixed to the lower left corner was "C.M. Russell 1913.″ Charles M. Russell, who died in 1926, was a renowned western artist.

When Morton sought to sell the painting in 2003 at the Coeur d'Alene Art Auction, a partner at the auction house questioned whether the painting was done by Russell. He contacted Seltzer and another expert to authenticate the painting. Seltzer concluded the painting was the work of his grandfather, O. C. Seltzer, and not Russell which reduced the value from approximately $750,000 to $75,000.

Morton's lawyer then sent a letter to Kennedy Galleries in which he accused it of making "fraudulent (or, at the very least, negligent) misrepresentations" and admitted that Morton was "shocked to learn that the painting was not a work by Russell…and that this must have been clear to any reputable dealer in the 1970s." This letter was not produced to Seltzer by Morton when Morton and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher were suing Seltzer.

Rather than sue Kennedy Galleries, Morton hired Gibson Dunn to send a letter threatening to sue Seltzer if he did not lie regarding the authenticity of the painting. Seltzer refused, and Gibson Dunn filed suit on behalf of Morton in Montana federal court in 2002 accusing Seltzer of fraud, malice and bad faith and seeking several million dollars in damages.

Seltzer then produced affidavits from nine experts who said the painting was not a Russell and that the signature on the painting had been forged. Gibson, Dunn dismissed Morton's lawsuit in February 2003, with prejudice, when faced with a motion for summary judgment. Seltzer then sued Gibson Dunn, the firm's retired partner and Morton accusing them of engaging in "malicious prosecution" and "abuse of process" and causing Seltzer emotional distress and damaging his reputation. The jury agreed and awarded $21.4 million to Seltzer in actual and punitive damages.

On appeal the Montana Supreme Court, 154 P.3d 561 (Mont. 2007), upheld $9.9 million of the jury's punitive damage award against Gibson Dunn and accused the firm of engaging in "legal thuggery."

Vangsnes vs. North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention Inc.

In 2015, Blewett obtained a $26 million settlement on behalf of a missionary who suffered a catastrophic brain injury in a car accident near Belgrade, Montana.

Legal career

Alexander (Zander) Blewett III is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group, which is limited to the top 100 personal injury lawyers in the United States. Former members include Johnnie Cochran and former U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate John Edwards. Blewett is the only Montana personal injury attorney who belongs to the group. Blewett has twice received Montana Trial Lawyer of the Year.

Philanthropy

On May 20, 2015, it was announced that Blewett donated $10 million to the University of Montana to rename its law school and create a consumer law and protection program.

He also provided the funding for construction of the Hoyt and Blewett Court Room at the University of Montana Law School and provided $500,000 to Montana State University – Bozeman to improve facilities for its student-athletes. The Hoyt and Blewett law firm has also sponsored an All-star high school wrestling tournament in Montana and a free kicking camp for young football players.

Family politics

Blewett's son, father, and grandfather have all served in the Montana House of Representatives. Blewett's father, Alex Blewett Jr., a Republican from Great Falls, served in the Montana House of Representatives as a Republican in 1961 and 1963. In 1963 he served as Republican Majority Leader of the State House. In 1964, he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic incumbent Mike Mansfield for the U.S. Senate. Blewett's Grandfather, Alexander Blewett Sr., a Republican from Butte, served in the Montana House of Representatives in 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, and 1951. Blewett's son, Anders Blewett, a Democrat from Great Falls, was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 2008 and the Montana Senate in 2010.