History of Justice in Yellowstone National Park & Current Challenges

Judge Carman received his B.S. in Wildland Hydrology from Colorado State University in 1978 and his J.D. in 1981 from the University of Wyoming.  During his legal career he worked as a prosecuting attorney for District Attorney’s Offices in Casper, Wyoming and California.  Judge Carman practiced both plaintiff and defense civil litigation as a shareholder with Williams, Porter, Day and Neville, P.C. and Balzer Carman Murdock, L.L.C. from 1988 to 2005.  In 2005, he formed Carman Law Office, P.C. in Billings, Montana, a litigation firm representing clients in Wyoming and Montana and was Of Counsel with Brown, Drew & Massey, L.L.P. of Casper.  Judge Carman’s practice focused on personal injury, class action oil and gas litigation and aviation law.  Judge Carman enjoyed an AV rating and was listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.    He taught Aviation Law as an adjunct professor for Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana.  During his career Judge Carman has been admitted to the practice of law in Wyoming, Montana, California and Colorado.  Mark Carman was sworn in as United States Magistrate Judge in February 2013 with his chambers in the Yellowstone Justice Center in Yellowstone National Park.  In addition, Judge Carman regularly handles the criminal docket in Jackson and presides over civil matters in Casper and Cheyenne, as well as New Mexico and Colorado.

Judge Carman and Nancy Thornton Carman have enjoyed over 35 years of marriage and are the proud parents of three daughters.  Judge Carman holds a private pilot certificate with instrument and multiengine ratings.  He owns a Cirrus which he uses in his travels between courts.  Judge Carman enjoys equestrian competition, fox hunting, fishing, scuba diving and tennis. He has served on various non-profit boards, including Ronald McDonald House of Billings, Warfield Equestrian Park, Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and the Wyoming Medical Center Foundation. He is the past-president of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Montana.