ORDER
An Attorney at Law, Respondent.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) asks this
Courttosuspend Montana attorney Tad J. Quinn from the practice of law on an
interim basis under Montana Rules for Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement (MRLDE) 25 because itbelieveshehasviolatedthe Montana Rules of Professional Conduct and poses a substantial
threatofseriousharmto clients or the public. In its petition, ODC alleges Quinn was an attorney prosecutor for the Judge Advocate General until approximately December 2025, when he was suspended from his ability to represent uniformed service members following an ethics investigation. Quinn subsequently received an honorable military discharge. InJanuary 2026,theDepartment of the Navy, Office of the Judge Advocate General,
informed Quinnitwasreferringthe matter to ODC and advised him he had an obligation to self-report. However, Quinn did not self-report to ODC.
On July 15, 2026, ODC received a report from the JAG
Office, which stated Quinn had violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice "through the wrongful use of a controlled substance on multiple occasions, unauthorized absence, dereliction of duty, false official statements, conduct unbecoming an officer, and drunkenness; and (2) engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation." Pam Bucy, Chief Disciplinary Counsel, reviewed the JAGreportandfoundit contained an "alarming pattern of substance abuse issues." ODC requested a response from
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10/13/2026 Case Number: PR 21-0187
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Quinn. The request noted Quinn had not self-reported andaskedhimtodescribeinhis response "any efforts you have made to address your
substance abuseanddrugaddiction, as well as any ongoing or continuing treatments, and current support plan." In Quinn's response, he advised ODC that when he was in the military, hewasself-medicating symptoms from untreated, acute, combat-related PTSD with drugs and alcohol. However, since his discharge, he had received regular psychological careandsubstance abuse counseling. Quinn further stated he actively participated intheMontana Bar's Lawyer's Assistance Program on a weekly basis and he had "regular anddirect communicationand mentorship" with Mike Larson, LAP Director. Quinn fiirther
advisedODChehadengaged in "successful medical rehabilitation," and asked ODC to find he had successfully mitigated his substance abuse issues and was fit to
practicelaw. In its petition for interim suspension, ODC represents
further investigation revealed Quinn's "pattern of substance abuse and criminal activity hadnotjustcontinued sincehis military discharge but escalated," and Quinn had active
warrantsforhisarrestwhenhe advised ODC he was in recovery from his substance abuse
issues. ODC alleges Quinn was arrested in Glacier County shortly
afterhisreturnto Montana in March 2026 and charged with DUI—1st offense, andPartnerorFamily Member Assault—1st offense. Quinn failed to personally appear at his arraignment on April 1, 2026. His counsel advised the court Quinn hadinformedhimhewasoutofstate; however, Quinn was pulled over that evening in Glacier County and was subsequently charged with Negligent Endangerment and DUI—2nd offense.
ODC further determined that on July 22,2026, Quinn was arrested and charged with DUI—3rd offense. Reckless Driving, and Operating a Motor Vehicle with Expired Registration in Missoula. On August 4, 2026, the Glacier
County Attorney movedto revoke Quinn's bond because Quinn had missed at least seven breath tests required as a condition of his release. Quinn then failed to appear at his show-cause hearing and the court issued a warrant for his arrest.
The Missoula County Attorney also petitioned to revoke
Quinn's releaseonthe Missoula County charges because he missed scheduled
breathtestmonitoringthatwasa
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condition of his release in that case. Quinn continued to miss tests after the petition was filed and he was ultimately arrested and remanded to custody, remaining in detention at present.
ODC further alleges that during a September 30, 2026
status hearingonthe Missoula County charges, Quinn advised the court he had spoken with LAP Director Larson once, contrary to his assertion to ODC that he was in "regular and direct communication and mentorship" with Larson. ODC also
learned Quinnwasnolonger employed at the law firm he indicated as his employer in his response to ODC. The reason for Quinn's departure is presently unknown to ODC, butBucynotesaspartofODC's request for interim suspension that Quinn's apparent status as a sole practitioner would allow him to accept cases, retainers, and other funds without the benefit of oversight. MRLDE 25A provides:
Upon receipt of evidence constituting probable cause thatalawyer subjectto the disciplinary jurisdiction of the Supreme Court hascommittedaviolation of the Rules of Professional Conduct or is incapacitated and,ineither case, poses a substantial threat of serious harm to clients orthepublic. Disciplinary Counsel may file a petition with the Supreme Court tohavethelawyer suspended pending proceedings. The clerk shall send thelawyeracopyof the petition to his or her last known address.
ODC alleges Quinn's circumstances, as set forth above, mayconstitute violations of M. R. Pro. Cond. 8.4 (providing it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on their honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer), which also calls into question whether Quinn currently possesses the necessary competence, skills, knowledge, and preparation to engage in the practice of law, as required byM. R. Pro. Cond. 1.1.
ODC further alleges Quinn's response to ODC implicates M.R.Pro.Cond. 8.1(a) (providing a lawyer shall not knowingly make a false
statementofmaterial fact)and8.4(c) (providing it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation) because atthetimehetoldODChehad engaged in "successful medical rehabilitation," had
mitigatedhissubstance abuse issues,
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and was in "regular and direct communication" with theLAPDirector,hehadinfactbeen charged with multiple DUIs, had warrants out for his
arrest,andhadapparentlyonly spoken with LAP Director Larson on one occasion. We have reviewed ODC's motion and exhibit and agree the allegations made against Quinn may constitute probable cause he has
violatedtheRulesofProfessional Conduct and poses a substantial threat of serious harm toclientsorthepublic. Pursuantto MRLDE 25B, Quinn is directed to show good cause, if any,whyheshouldnotbe suspended during the pendency of the criminal proceedings against him and disciplinary proceedings that may follow.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Tad J. Quinn shall have
until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, to prepare, file, and serve a response to the petition for interim suspension.
DATED this day of October, 2026. Chief Justice
Justices
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