Hatfield, Paul Gerhart, 1928-2000

Paul Gerhart Hatfield was born April 29, 1928 in Great Falls, Montana. He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1947 and attended the College of Great Falls for pre-law training until 1950. In 1951, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Signal Corps in Korea from 1952 to 1953. He attended the University of Montana--Missoula's Law School, and graduated in 1955.

He was associated with the law firms of Hoffman and Cure and Jardine, Stephenson, Blewett and Weaver from 1955 to 1958 and became partner in the law firm of Hatfield and Hatfield in 1959. That same year, he became Chief Deputy County Attorney in Cascade County, Montana, and served until 1960. He was then elected 8th Judicial District Judge, and served until 1976. In 1976, he was elected Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, and served in that position until 1978.

In 1978, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate to the Second Session of the 95th Congress, to complete the term of Senator Lee Metcalf, who died in office. In the Senate, he served on the Armed Services Committee and the Judiciary Committee. He was chairman of the Subcommittee on Penitentiaries and Corrections.

Following his time in Congress, Hatfield was appointed as judge to the U.S. District Court in Great Falls, Montana. He served in that position until his death.

Hatfield received the University of Great Falls' Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999. He was also active in both St. Joseph's and St. Ann's parishes in Great Falls.

Hatfield was married to Great Falls attorney Dorothy Ann Allen. They had three children: Kathleen Helen, Susan Ann, and Paul Allen. He died in July of 2000.

From the guide to the Guide to the Paul G. Hatfield Papers, 1977-2000, (University of Montana--Missoula)