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The history of the law firm now known as Worden
Thane P.C. dates from 1924, when Donovan Worden
began practicing law in Missoula, Montana. The firm
grew when Donovan Worden, Jr. joined his father’s
practice in 1948. The practice consisted primarily
of real estate, wills and probate matters. The
Wordens’ most significant client at the time was the
Western Montana Building & Loan Association, the
largest residential lender in Missoula County.
 In
1951,
Jeremy Thane
was admitted to the Montana bar
and opened a solo practice across the street from
the Wordens' office. The three lawyers were members
of the same college fraternity. Mr. Thane gradually
built a trial practice defending civil cases. To
help manage his growing case load, in 1960 he
convinced another fraternity brother and former law
school classmate to return to Missoula and form a
partnership.
Jeremy Thane and his partner considered the
potential benefits of merging with another firm in
order to expand the services they could offer their
clients. The Worden firm across the street seemed a
good prospect. Their approach was well received and
the two firms merged in 1962.
Harry Haines joined the firm in 1966 after receiving
an LLM from New York University’s graduate tax
program. Eventually, the firm became known as
Worden, Thane & Haines, P.C. The firm continued to
evolve, adding more lawyers and areas of practice to
serve its growing and increasingly diverse
clientele.
Two members of the firm have been appointed to
federal judgeships in recent years. Ralph Kirscher
was named Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the
District of Montana in 1999. Then in 2003, Harry
Haines became a Judge of the U.S. Tax Court in
Washington, D.C. after nomination by President
George W. Bush and confirmation by the Senate. The
firm’s name was changed to Worden Thane P.C. upon
Judge Haines’s appointment.
 Donovan
Worden, Sr. 1893 -1967
Donovan Worden, Sr. was born in Missoula, the son of
Missoula pioneers. He started his law practice after
graduating from the University of Montana School of
Law in 1923. He served two terms as Missoula County
Attorney. Thereafter, he was elected in 1934 to the
Montana House of Representatives and in 1946 to the
Montana Senate, where his father also had served.
Donovan Worden was Missoula's lone senator for three
four-year terms, completing his final term in 1959.
Between the 1951 and the 1953 legislative sessions,
he sat on the eight-member Senate-House Joint
Interim Committee on Reorganization of State
Government. He was the Senate leader in the 1953 and
1957 sessions. In May, 1957, the Governor appointed
him to the Interstate Compact Commission.
Mr. Worden practiced law for 44 years until his
untimely death in 1967. He was a director and
officer of the Western Montana Building & Loan
Association, serving as chairman of the board at the
time of his death. He was active in many community
organizations and was a member of Sigma Nu
Fraternity.
Donovan Worden, Jr.
1918-2001
Donovan was a native of Missoula, born into a
long-time Missoula family. After graduating from the
University of Montana in 1941, he served during
World War II as a flying officer in the U.S. Navy.
When the war ended, he returned to Missoula and
entered the University of Montana School of Law. On
graduation, he joined his father in the practice of
law. He was admitted to practice before the U.S.
Supreme Court in 1967. Don served as attorney for
the Western Montana Building & Loan Association,
which became Western Federal Savings & Loan and then
Western Security Bank. He also served as a director
and director emeritus of the association.
 Don was a leader in community service and
professional organizations. His leadership began
early: as a trumpet player in high school, he and
his best friend organized the Missoula County High
School Band. During his subsequent legal career, his
fellow lawyers elected him Trustee of the State Bar
of Montana and President of the Western Montana Bar
Association. He also served as President of the
Missoula Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
In the Masonic Order, Don was a Past Master of the
Missoula Harmony Lodge and a Past Grand Master of
the Masonic Lodge of the State of Montana.
Throughout his adult life, Don was a supportive
alumnus of the University of Montana and the Sigma
Nu fraternity. He was a pilot, a skilled woodworker,
and enjoyed skiing and golf. He sang in the Missoula
Mendelssohn Club, the Missoula Chorale and his
church choir.
Don retired in 1985, after practicing law for 40
years. He led an active life during his retirement,
continuing his relationship with the firm that bears
his name. He died four days before his 83rd
birthday.
Written by
Jeremy
G. Thane
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