Alexander (Zander) Blewett III is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group of personal injury lawyers in the United States.[3]
Seltzer vs. Morton
Blewett is most noted for the $21.4 million malicious prosecution and abuse of processverdict 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[4] and other national publications.[5][6] 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."[7]
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.[8]
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.[9] He funded the 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.[10]
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.[11] In 1963 he served as Republican Majority Leader of the State House.[12] In 1964, he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic incumbent Mike Mansfield for the U.S. Senate.[13] Blewett's Grandfather, Alexander Blewett Sr., a Republican from Butte, served in the Montana House of Representatives in 1931, 1943, 1945, 1947, and 1951.[14] 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.[15]