Greg Petesch, the powerful and respected chief attorney and code commissioner for the Montana Legislature, recently retired after 31 years.

• Position: People & Politics

Greg Petesch, the powerful and respected chief attorney and code commissioner for the Montana Legislature, recently retired after 31 years. He served some 1,500 legislators over the years and was held in high regard by members of both parties for his straightforward, often blunt, advice. Senate President Bob Story called him "a great intellect," and Minority Leader Carol Williams said he is "almost irreplaceable.... Everybody in both parties had terrific confidence in whatever his decisions happened to be." He was lauded for...