Lori Blumenthal, a graduating student from the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law, has been appointed as a water master, according to a May 12 announcement. The position involves adjudicating water rights claims across Montana and reflects growing demand for legal professionals in environmental and natural resources law.
Blumenthal’s appointment comes at a time when Western states are dealing with increasing water scarcity and competing interests. Her role will involve reviewing existing water-right claims basin by basin to ensure each right reflects its legal amount and priority. “I’m looking forward to developing a deep understanding of water law,” Blumenthal said. “This will serve me into the future as Western water law continues to evolve.”
The responsibilities of a water master stem from the Montana Water Use Act, which set up procedures for adjudicating pre-1973 water rights. Water masters assist the Montana Water Court by gathering evidence and making recommendations on how state-law-based, tribal, and federal reserved rights should be allocated—a process expected to continue into the late 2020s or longer.
Blumenthal described her new position as both an important entry point into her legal career and an opportunity for hands-on work: “It’s a chance to do important, hands-on legal work,” she said. “I’m excited about actually practicing and getting paid to do the work that I love.” She credited networking opportunities within Montana’s legal community for helping her secure this role: “There are tons of networking opportunities that happen between law students and the Montana legal community,” she said.
At UM, Blumenthal participated in various extracurricular activities such as serving as editor-in-chief of the Public Land and Resources Law Review, co-chairing the Environmental Law Group, competing in moot court competitions, and working on real-world cases through clinics under faculty supervision. These experiences were crucial preparation for her new job: “The school has taught me how to think like an attorney,” she said.
According to the official website, the University of Montana functions as a public research university emphasizing academic excellence through undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs while accommodating more than 11,000 students both on campus in Missoula and via online learning options.
Blumenthal expressed enthusiasm about contributing meaningfully within her field: “It’s a chance to do meaningful work in a field I care about.” As she prepares for graduation on May 16, she encouraged others considering law school: “Do it,” Blumenthal said. “I haven’t regretted law school for a second.”
Her story highlights how practical experience gained at UM can lead graduates directly into impactful roles addressing regional needs.
