Director
Alan is a Montana native with a family history in the state dating back to territorial days. He grew up in Choteau, Helena, and Missoula, graduating from Hellgate High School in Missoula.

After receiving his law degree from the University of Montana, Alan served as counsel for the Montana Department of State Lands (now Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) then established a solo law practice before joining the Gough, Shanahan, Johnson and Waterman firm in Helena. During his thirty-three years with the Gough Shanahan firm, Alan emphasized natural resources and environmental law, and developed significant administrative law, litigation and public policy experience representing mining operations throughout the state. He served as Chair of the Montana Board of Personnel Appeals (public sector labor relations board) and as a member of the Montana Board of Labor Appeals. Upon retiring from the private practice of law, Alan served as Chief Deputy Attorney General for Attorney General Tim Fox, retiring from the position in 2017.

During his career as a practicing lawyer, Alan was active in the Montana Mining Association (MMA) and Northwest Mining Association (Now American Exploration and Mining Association). He received the MMA’s Excellence Award in 2014, and the State Bar of Montana’s Bousliman Award for Professionalism in 2017.

Alan is the author of a series of legal thrillers and continues to write. He and his wife Pamela live in Helena.