Presented by Wendy Holton, Criminal Justice Act Supervising Attorney
Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Conference March 13, 2025:
The John Adams award is given annually to recognize outstanding work on behalf of the CJA panel. It was named to honor John Adams and all those who risk wealth and fame to stand with those who are least favored and most vulnerable.
The 2025 recipient of the John Adams CJA Panel Lawyer of the Year is Dylan McFarland.
Dylan is willing to jump in and help – without even being asked. When he sees something that needs done, he does it.
He finds the humanity in our clients: their history, their current circumstances and, most importantly, their potential. He writes beautifully. His sentencing memorandums show incredible empathy for his clients while not diminishing the seriousness of the offense. Each is tailored to the client’s case and circumstances and argues the law effectively and accurately.
He conducts thorough investigations, does meticulous research, and knows and follows the law and the rules of procedure. We regularly use his pleadings when other panel members need an example of how to get something done.
He is brave and is a great tactician. In a kidnapping and assault with intent to commit murder case he sensed the government wasn’t ready – so he got ready and pushed for a speedy trial. The case was settled with a witness tampering charge.
He takes some of our most difficult clients and goes to trial on tough cases. In an impressive example of advocacy Dylan, along with his co-counsel and law partner, Seamus Molloy, tried a case that everyone thought was a total loser. There were significant challenges including a 17-count indictment consisting of 2 counts of failure to pay child support; 11 counts charging false, fictitious and fraudulent claims; 1 count of bank fraud; 1 count of false statements to a bank and 1count of money laundering. Dylan and Seamus methodically dismantled the case and received NOT GUILTY verdicts on all 17 counts!
Dylan is a tremendous asset for other panel members. He has served as a mentor to our new panel members on multiple occasions and frequently steps in to co-chair cases with panel members who want some help.
We are grateful for his service to his clients, the panel, and our system of justice.