Jim Shea

James Jeremiah Shea (born April 13, 1966) is an American lawyer who serves as an associate justice of the Montana Supreme Court. He was appointed by Governor Steve Bullock in 2014. He previously served as a judge on the Montana Workers' Compensation Court from 2005 to 2014.

Education and career Shea graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 1991 and started out as a law clerk for Chief Judge Paul G. Hatfield of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Shea then worked as a trial attorney with the Metropolitan Public Defender in Portland, Oregon, before returning to Montana to practice mostly civil law. Shea's appointment was confirmed by the Montana State Senate by a vote of 41-9. He was sworn in on June 2, 2014. Shea ran unopposed in the 2016 election and was retained with 81.5 percent of the vote.

Personal life Shea was born and raised in Butte, Montana. He graduated from Butte Central Catholic High School. He and his wife Kathy met in college and married in 1989. They have two daughters, Kate and Moira.