2025 Timer Moses Award - Steve Babcock

Presented by R. Henry "Hank" Branom Jr. at the 2025 FDOM/MTACDL Conference on March 13, 2025, Steve Babcock was awarded the "Timer Moses" Award in recognition of his distinguished career to date. This article combines Hank’s presentation notes with a few comments from the many who nominated Steve:

Steve is a second-generation lawyer who also came from a family of educators.  He gave being a third-generation teacher a shot, but it only lasted one year.  

After that, it was on to law school and a career as a defense lawyer. From there, it’s been a story of one superb accomplishment after another.

Tony Gallagher noted that our honoree "endeavors to be the most prepared lawyer in the courtroom, and always is."

Lori Harper Suek, in charge of Montana's Indian Country unit, described the work that this year's honoree does by saying that he "accomplishes extraordinary things by doing ordinary everyday work exceptionally."

Judge Jessica Fehr described Steve as an exceptional lawyer. “The Honoree is the type of attorney you want on the other side. I know he will review discovery thoroughly, will establish a relationship with his client, and he will file any appropriate motions. If the case should plead, it does, and if it warrants a trial, it is guaranteed to be a good one.”

Adds Mark Werner, Steve’s predecessor in his current job, "Steve is the kind of lawyer a person in trouble would seek to have by his side. He has judgment, guile, persuasive skills and fortitude."

Steve has gained renown as a great trial lawyer and has the unique distinction of having argued before the US Supreme Court.  One person who nominated Steve noted that: “The SCOTUS decision didn't go his way, but Steve took a motion that was denied from the bench without a written order in the trial court to the United States Supreme Court. His work in Bryant exemplifies what a public defender should be. Steve's career has been so much more than this one case. But after arguing that case he could have taken that momentum and steered his career in any direction he wanted. To the great benefit of this organization, our clients, and our profession, that is not what he did. That same year, [Steve stepped up and took on the responsibilities of supervising the Billings office]. From where I sit, it looks like perhaps the most selfless move he could have made. When a unique or challenging case comes into the office, Steve assigns it to the lawyer he thinks is right for the case. Speaking for myself, had I been promoted on the heels of arguing before SCOTUS, I’d imagine I might see myself as the best attorney for each of those cases. And if I were Steve Babcock, I’d be right in that belief 99% of the time.”

The nominator adds: “For someone with the zeal and skill Steve has always demonstrated in his advocacy, the humility with which he runs this office is impossible to articulate. He lowered his profile, he champions the accomplishments of others over himself, and he never gives the impression that even the most mundane tasks of his supervisor position are beneath him. He has one of the toughest jobs of any criminal defense attorney in Montana and it has been an absolute privilege to work under him.”

Adds another: “Steve demonstrated his talents as a defense attorney. He always fought hard for his clients, was never afraid to go to trial, and indeed never hesitated to challenge prosecutors and the Judges he had appeared before … As a Regional Chief of the Federal Defender's office, Steve had demonstrated a keen sense of putting together a very effective office with several highly qualified people as lawyers and staff. Steve is always ready to assist us CJA attorneys whenever called upon … by sharing briefs, samples of motions, etc. In short, Steve has demonstrated for the last twenty years that he is a no-nonsense, true defender of the unfortunate souls charged with committing offenses in both State and Federal Courts.”

Yet another nominator offered that “He has had several acquittals over the years, motion wins, and excellent sentencing results. He has argued before the US Supreme Court. In the last year, he had a rape case dismissed just prior to trial, based on investigation and motion work. He had an amazing sentencing result in front of Judge Watters, where the client was looking at a huge guideline range and the Court gave him time served.

“Steve not only is an excellent advocate, but also does it in a way that he maintains the respect of everyone in the justice system. As an example, a longtime adversary, someone he once got a case dismissed against due to a Brady violation, described him to me in the most positive of terms.”

Finally, we’ll add this comment from a different nominator: “[I nominated Steve b]ecause of his lifetime of service to the profession. He is always on fire for his clients. His energy is infectious, and his passion is contagious. He is knowledgeable and approachable for those of us looking to learn. He has deserved this award for many years now and I really hope to see it make its way to him.”

It did.  Congratulations to 2025 Timer Moses Award winner Steve Babcock.

Timer Moses, Inspiration for the Timer Moses Award