Mark Jette was born in Helena and raised in Polson, Montana. In 1997, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Management from the University of Montana. Mark then moved to Washington DC to serve Montana in several roles on U.S. Senator Max Baucus’s staff, dedicated to small business development, labor and employment relations, and Native American Indian affairs. In working with Max’s team to improve life for constituents, Mark realized that obtaining a law degree would allow him to do even more.
However, before attending law school, while he still had strong knees and personal freedom, Mark chose to fulfill a childhood dream of being a “ski bum”. As the Information Coordinator and Snow Reporter for Alta Ski Area, outside Salt Lake City, UT, Mark lived slope-side and skied first tracks on Alta’s famed “Greatest Snow on Earth” 100+ days per year. The job required Mark to research snow conditions (including weather, avalanche safety, and mountain operations), ski all day, take lots of pictures, and then market the fun to media outlets worldwide. One incredible season turned into five! After gaining marketing, media relations, and communications experience – in addition to unrivaled life experience – Mark returned home to study the law in 2004.
During law school at the University of Montana, Mark participated in moot court and clerked for a private law firm, and several public institutions. But in 2006, before Mark graduated, Montana elected a farmer, Jon Tester, to his first term in the U.S. Senate. The newly elected U.S. Senator chose Mark as a senior policy advisor to help establish his legislative record on business issues, labor and employment relations, infrastructure projects, Native American Affairs, and others as needed. Mark completed law school in 2007 and passed Montana’s bar shortly thereafter.
After helping secure Senator Tester’s re-election in 2012, Mark returned home in 2013 to serve as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the Montana Department of Labor and Industry-Business Standards Division. As general counsel and prosecutor for occupational licensing boards, including the Boards of Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Electricians, Outfitters, and others, Mark guided professional board members about how to improve trade and competition, while protecting public health and safety.
From late 2018 to July 2020, Mark completed Montana’s formal mentorship training and joined his father as a Licensed Real Estate Appraiser. In September 2020, Mark’s education and experience made him a good fit to join the Silverman Law Office as an Associate Attorney specializing in real estate transactions, business development, labor and employment disputes, and administrative law. Mark also helps with wills and estates work, as well as civil litigation.
