Attorneys & Staff
Lucy France, UM General Counsel
University Hall, 313406-243-6786
Lucy T. France received her B.A. from the University of California-Berkeley and her J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law, with honors, where she served as co-editor of the Montana Public Land Law Review, and was a member of the Moot Court team receiving the American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for Excellence in Advocacy at the National Moot Court Competition. After clerking for the Honorable James F. Battin of the United States District Court for the District of Montana, she was an associate and became a partner with the law firm Garlington, Lohn & Robinson. Lucy has 25 years of experience representing clients in litigation and transactional matters.
Lucy served as the Director of Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action at the University before becoming the University's General Counsel. She was the 2019 recipient of the J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service at the University of Montana. She is admitted to practice before the Montana Supreme Court, United States District Court for the District of Montana, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Lucy is an active member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), where she has served on the board of directors, and has chaired and served on may committees, including the Strategic Planning Committee and NACUANOTES.
Kate Duran, Associate Legal Counsel
University Hall, 133406-243-4765
Kate E. Duran joined the Office of UM Legal Counsel in fall 2019. She received her B.S. in finance from Rutgers University and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School. Prior to coming to UM, Kate worked as a Deputy Attorney General (DAG) for the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General for 7 years. As a DAG, she represented New Jersey’s state institutions of higher education in all sorts of litigation and administrative matters, from employment to contract disputes. Kate also was part of the Open Public Records Act team where she defended the state in numerous matters regarding alleged failures to disclose public records and follow open meeting laws. Prior to her work at the N.J. A.G., Kate practiced criminal defense, gaining the trial experience that was necessary for her work as a DAG.
Kate is admitted to practice before the Montana Supreme Court, Colorado Supreme Court, New Jersey Supreme Court, New York Supreme Court, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Kate currently enjoys spending free time with her partner and their 2 children exploring Montana.
Jessica Weltman, Director of Institutional Compliance
Corbin Hall, 159406-243-3990
Jessica Weltman is the Director of Institutional Compliance and Public Records for the University of Montana where she provides strategic direction and oversight for regulatory compliance activities. In this role she draws upon over twenty years of legal experience, nearly half of which have been in higher education. Jessica has offered system level leadership to Montana's public colleges and universities as the Montana University System Compliance Officer, and has worked to reduce barriers, address conflict, investigate policy violations, and increase equity as the Equal Opportunity Director and Title IX Coordinator at the University of Montana. Prior to pivoting to higher education, Jessica led the appellate practice for the Federal Defenders of Montana where she now serves on their Board of Directors. Jessica received her J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, and her BA in history and women’s studies, from Carleton College.
Drew Gustafson, Law Fellow
drew.gustafson@umontana.eduUniversity Hall, 133406-243-4765