About Channing J. Hartelius – The Legal Lion of Montana
A Legacy Built on Service and Strength
Channing J. Hartelius is a trusted advocate with a fierce commitment to his clients. Known as The Legal Lion, he brings clarity, confidence, and courage to every case he takes on.
Meet Attorney
Channing J. Hartelius
Channing J. Hartelius is known across the state as The Legal Lion, he has dedicated his career to standing up for individuals and families—offering not just representation, but fierce advocacy, trusted insight, and unwavering care.
Raised on his grandparents’ farmstead near Great Falls, Channing learned the value of hard work and persistence from his grandmother, Augusta Kelm. Those early lessons—rooted in resilience, integrity, and grit—continue to guide his approach to every client and every case. A proud graduate of Great Falls High School, Channing twice earned the title of state speech champion, laying the foundation for his lifelong passion for advocacy. He went on to graduate with honors from the University of Montana, where he was a debate champion and chair of the Model United Nations.
After earning his J.D. cum laude from George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., he returned to Montana to begin his legal career in the Attorney General’s Office, fulfill his military duty, and ultimately launch what would become Hartelius Law Center in the heart of downtown Great Falls.
Channing’s legal journey spans more than just the courtroom. He is an accomplished speaker, author, and educator, widely known for his one-man performance “A Conversation with George Washington,” where he blends history and storytelling to inform and inspire.
Legal Philosophy
Channing Hartelius approaches every case with sharp strategy, grounded ethics, and an unshakable belief in standing up for what’s right. He doesn’t just represent his clients, he fights for them with the focus and fearlessness that earned him the name The Legal Lion. For Channing, practicing law means restoring balance, empowering people, and achieving outcomes that truly matter.
Education and Legal Career Highlights
Education
- George Washington University National Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia
- J.D. - 1971
- Honors: With Honors
- University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
- B.A. - 1968
- Honors: cum laude
- Major: History
- Major: Political Science
- Major: Economics
Legal Career Highlights
- Montana, 1971
- Virginia, 1971
- U.S. District Court District of Montana, 1971
- Blackfeet Tribal Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
Bar Admission
- Who's Who in America, 2003
- Montana Ambassador, 2000
- American Legion Certificate of Distinction, 03/02/2003
- JCI Senator
- Montana Table Topics Champion, Toastmasters, 1994
- Montana Table Topics Champion, Humorous Speech 1st Place-Region, Serious Speech 3rd Place, 2000
- Montana Table Topics Champion, Evaluation Contest 1st Place, 2001
- Who's Who in Among Outstanding Americans
- Who's Who in American Law
- Lexington Who's Who, 2001
- Order of Barristers, 2001
Honors
- Consumer Protection, Law, and the Municipality, (Contributor), NIMLO Report No. 157, 1975
- Law and the Municipal Ecology Air Water, Noise Over Population, (With S. Lewin A. Gordon), NIMLO Research Report No. 156, September, 1970
- Discrimination in the Provision of Municipal Services, (with Friedman), 12 Municipal Attorney 47, March, 1971
- NIMOL's Service on Federal Money for Cities, (Editor), 1970
- International Law, (Editorial & Research Assistant to C. Rhyne), 1971
- Understanding Bankruptcy, A Guide, 1981
- The Montana Handbook on Contracts for Deed, 1982
- Viewpoint on Initiative 48 (Tort Reform), Aurora Magazine, Summer, 1988
- Effective Discovery Procedures in Montana Manual, 1995
- Evidence in Trial Practice in Montana Manual, 1993
Published Works
Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.Professional Associations
- Grizzly Athletic Association, Board of Directors, 1997
- Preservation Cascade, Board of Directors, 2000 to 2003
- Tribune, Editorial Board, 1997 to 1997
- American Trial Lawyers Association, Sustaining Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Montana Bar Association, Member, Co-Chair State Bar, 1996 to 1996
- Cascade County Bar Association, Member, President, 1996 to 1996
- Great Falls Jaycees, President, 1975 to 1975
- Rainbow Toastmasters, President, 1974 to 1974
- Rainbow Toastmasters, President, 1994 to 1995
In the Community
Channing has served on the boards of Preservation Cascade, the Grizzly Athletic Association, and the Great Falls Tribune Editorial Board. He’s also an active member of Toastmasters, and has received numerous speaking and legal honors, including:
- Montana Table Topics Champion (Multiple Years)
- Who’s Who in American Law
- Order of Barristers
- American Trial Lawyers Association Sustaining Member
