I am a retired attorney with over 22 years of municipal experience. I also served in the United States Army (active duty, reserves, and national guard) for over 28 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. I have been visiting Virgin since 2007. My wife, Karen Finke, and I purchased property in 2008 with the intent to build a house. We then located a lot with a home for sale and purchased our home in 2014. I was content to retire quietly in Virgin and I had no desire to run for an elected office until I witnessed the lack of transparency of Virgin government and the town’s disregard of citizens expressing their concerns. I could no longer watch Virgin’s character and livability change contrary to the wishes of its citizens. The town was and is attempting to extend Highway Resort Zone (HRZ) to areas where commercial uses are inappropriate. Therefore, I got involved as a sponsor to the Sheep Bridge Road Referendum and the recent HRZ Referendum. While referendums act as a necessary safeguard against government overreach, there are better solutions, such as listening to all citizens and working hard to find a solution that doesn’t divide our community. As I gathered signatures, I listened to the frustration citizens expressed about Virgin government, and I believe I have the experience and qualifications to solve many of the concerns. Therefore, I ran for office.
EXPERIENCE:
- LAW OFFICE OF PAUL J. LUWE, PLLC – 2013-2017 Bozeman, Montana
- ADJUNCT PROFESSOR – 2005-2013 Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
- WALTON & LUWE – 2009-2013 Offices in Bozeman, Montana & Butte, Montana
- BOZEMAN CITY ATTORNEY – 1991-2008 Bozeman, Montana
- ASSISTANT STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE – 1996-2007. United States Army Reserve
- ASSISTANT STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE – 1991-1996 Montana Army National Guard
- STAFF ATTORNEY – 1986-1991 City Attorney’s Office Billings, Montana
- ASSISTANT STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE – 1986-1991 United States Army Reserve
- ASSOCIATE FACULTY – 1985-1986 Cochise Community College, Sierra Vista, Arizona
- ASSISTANT STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE – 1984-1986 United States Army
- SPECIAL ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY – 1984- 1986 United States Department of Justice
- TRIAL DEFENSE COUNSEL – 1982-1984 United States Army
EDUCATION:
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA SCHOOL OF LAW Missoula, Montana Juris Doctor, June 1982. Montana Law Review
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana Bachelor of Arts History with Highest Honors, June 1979
PUBLICATIONS:
- Montana Supreme Court Survey – Criminal Procedure, 43 MONT LAW REV 279 (Summer 1982)
- Military Reserves Called to Gulf: What are their Employment Rights, The Montana Lawyer, November 1990
- A Call to Colors: Reemployment Rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), The Montana Lawyer, March 2002
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS:
- Bozeman Kiwanis, Board of Directors, 2011 – 2013
- Bozeman Kiwanis, Board of Directors, 2000 – 2004
- Montana MS Leadership Board (Interim Chair), 2013 – 2013
- Montana MS Leadership Board, 2011 – 2013
- Montana MS Government Relations Committee, 2010 – 2013
- Commission of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, 2002 – 2008
- Gallatin County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2004 – 2008
- Bozeman Kiwanis, Board of Directors, 2000 – 2004
- Montana Municipal Insurance Authority, Board of Directors, 1997 –2004