Gianforte Appoints Rebecca Swandal to Sixth Judicial District Court

Governor Greg Gianforte has appointed Rebecca Swandal to serve on the Sixth Judicial District Court, which covers Park and Sweetgrass Counties, the governor’s office announced.

Swandal fills the vacancy left by Judge Brenda Gilbert, who is set to retire June 1, 2026.

“Rebecca is an accomplished attorney who brings both civil and criminal experience, serving Montanans in Park and Sweet Grass counties for over a decade,” Gianforte said. “I look forward to her service on the Sixth Judicial District Court.”

Swandal is a University of Montana alumna, earning her undergraduate degree in 2005 and her law degree from UM School of Law in 2009. She has spent 13 years practicing with the law office originally founded by her grandmother in 1967.

The appointment comes after a multi-month selection process. Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court formally notified the governor of the pending vacancy on February 5. Gianforte opened the application process five days later, accepting nominations through March 16. A 30-day public comment period followed, running from March 17 through April 16.