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About Joey
My father, the late Guy Bitsilly, Sr. and my mother, Dorothy Bitsilly, raised eleven (11) children in Tohatchi, New Mexico. My father was a World War II naval veteran with duty on the ship U.S.S. Hornet. My mother is a homemaker turned student counselor, farm board president, and New Mexico State liaison for Aging Services with the Navajo Nation. My parents taught me to believe in myself, work hard, get a good education (do your homework…), to be honest, treat people with respect, and love one another. And yes, to listen to my older brother and sisters, and "be nice" to my younger siblings! I will forever love my family for making me who I am.
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With this awesome support from my family, I set out to conquer the world. I eventually earned college degrees with a Juris Doctor from the University of Montana School of Law, a Master of Science in Watershed Management / Hydrology from the
Once that was done, I began a legal career as an advocate and attorney starting in 1993 to 1998 as a Legal Services Attorney for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes based in
| My firm has endured the challenges of small businesses. I have built a clientele with my own hard work, perseverance, determination, and oft times worry, frustration, and tears. Nonetheless, I currently specialize in criminal law. Over the years I have worked on thousands of cases and hours in almost every legal civil issue. No, I did not do this all by myself. My husband, Harley Tanner, is the backbone of all of this. On the 4th of July I would complain that I had to study for the bar exam and he "got" to go to the powwow with no worries. He endured hours of my frustrations in building up a law business, listening to my opening statements for trial when he wanted to watch football, digging posts for my campaign signs with nothing but rock in the ground, and often times spending time alone with the pets because I was working. I am eternally grateful to him for supporting me through all of this. |
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One of the joys of being an attorney is being able to spread your wings and practice law in other jurisdictions. This is a valuable and prudent move because it allows you to practice and confront differing laws in differing jurisdictions. This expands your ability and courage to adjust to any given set of laws in any jurisdiction or venue.
Because of this, I sought out, became eligible to practice, and practiced law in Montana District Courts, Montana Federal District Courts, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Court, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Court, Coeur d'lene Tribal Court (Idaho), Navajo Nation Tribal District Court (Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona).
As an attorney I am a member of the Montana State Bar Association, Navajo Nation Bar Association, Montana Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and past member of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association.
Even though I am a busy attorney I have found time to serve my communities as a Montana State Representative from 2001 through 2008. I was privileged and honored to be on the powerful Appropriations Committee during the entire time. I served on the sub-committee for Health and Human Services, served on the Legislative Finance Interim Committee, the House Joint Resolution 1 Committee on Mental Health, and the State and Tribal Interim Legislative Committee.
Being a lawmaker in the Legislative Branch of state government rounds out my career. Now I embark on interpreting the law in the Judicial Branch of state government. As a judge, I would interpret the very laws that I help create in the legislature. Now how awesome can that be?
I need to tell you that I make time for community too. I have volunteered for and am on the boards of the Jobs for Montana Graduates Foundation in Helena, Montana; Montana Guardianship Advisory Council, Helena, Montana; Industry Advisory Council for Kicking Horse Job Corps Center, Ronan, Montana; Task Force for the American Legacy Foundation in Washington D.C.; A Child is Missing, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale Florida; Clark Fork Task Force Honorary member, Missoula, Montana.
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Finally, I do have a social life. I am a long distance runner, having competed in hundreds of 5K and 10K runs. My horse has not seen me in many months but she likes that because she won't have a saddle put on her back (yet). I was a barrel racer in rodeos back in the day. My husband used to see me at branding and calving…I dance in the women's traditional category at powwows. We love our dogs PJ and Treaty (border collies) who like to hang out and watch me scatter in a million directions. We miss our deceased pets Potomac and Patches. What more can I say, except vote for me on June 3 for the primary election. And, again on November 4 for the general election. Thank you. |
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