Holland & Hart is proud to announce that partner William "Bill" Mercer has been confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as a United States District Judge for the District of Montana following his nomination by the President. With 32 years as a member of the Montana Bar and extensive experience in both state and federal courts, his background encompasses a combination of prosecutorial experience, private practice expertise, as well as legislative and policy insight.
A Distinguished Career in Public Service
Bill brings an extraordinary depth of experience to the federal bench, having served Montana and the nation in various capacities over three decades. A lifelong Montanan born in Billings, he has dedicated his career to upholding the rule of law and serving his community.
From 2001 to 2009, Bill served as United States Attorney for the District of Montana, where he was responsible for natural resources litigation, prosecution of criminal cases, and appellate practice on behalf of the United States. During his tenure, he helped create Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative that actively combats technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and child pornography—a program that continues to protect American children today.
Bill also served in senior leadership roles at the United States Department of Justice during the George W. Bush administration, including as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General from 2005 to 2006 and Acting Associate Attorney General from 2006 to 2007. As Associate Attorney General, he served as the third-ranking official in DOJ with oversight responsibility for five major litigating divisions handling both criminal and civil cases.
Legal Practice and Legislative Service
At Holland & Hart since 2010, Bill has built a distinguished practice focused on environmental litigation, government investigations, and white collar defense.
Since 2019, he has represented constituents in Northwest Billings as a member of the Montana House of Representatives, where he serves on the House Appropriations Committee and worked on its subcommittees focused on expenditures for public health and the administration of justice. His legislative experience has provided him with valuable insight into Montana-specific laws and the needs of the state's families and communities.
Beyond his professional achievements, Bill has been deeply engaged in the Billings community, serving on the boards of the University of Montana Foundation, Billings Symphony Society, Big Sky Senior Services, and the Boulder-Arrowhead Little League.