Petroleum County Lawyers

John is a graduate of the University of Montana (honors) and University of Montana School of Law (high honors). After graduating from college, John worked as a truck driver, a fork lift operator and a teamster intern, helping him learn the value of hard work and an honest paycheck. John began his legal practice by serving as a law clerk for Chief United States District Court Judge Richard F. Cebull. He then worked in private practice, handling both civil and criminal cases. In 2009, John tried the case of McCollough v. Johnson, Rodenburg & Lauinger, which resulted in one of the...

Being hurt by someone else’s negligence should not leave you to be beaten down by their insurance company, and Joe Cook and his team have the experience and resources to fight back and maximize results. His work has resulted in record setting, multi-million dollar verdicts in medical malpractice and auto collision cases in Montana, and he has been recognized by his peers with the prestigious MTLA Trial Lawyer of the Year award. Growing up on his family’s ranch just east of Billings, Joe learned hard-work and creativity can solve nearly any problem. He was an active member of 4-H,...

Christopher Flann founded and is the principal attorney behind Immigration Law of Montana, P.C. His practice is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses with immigration matters, principally those located in Montana. As a first-generation immigrant who understands the immigration system here in the United States from the inside and the outside, Christopher Flann has a unique insight that he uses to help his clients in the most effective way. As an attorney who enjoys helping people solve problems, Christopher Flann has pursued solutions to his client's immigration problems be they small or large. Once he accepts a client, he works to...

Matt Tourtlotte is an attorney dedicated to standing up for the rights of his fellow Montanans. In 2014, Matt resigned his partnership with a historic Montana law firm to strike out on his own. He created Tourtlotte Law Firm, a law firm dedicated to serving the people who enjoy working, living, and playing in our great state.

Matt Tourtlotte has the experience that matters. He spent the early part of his career working closely with the insurance companies and corporations that invest billions of dollars each year to minimize or outright deny claims just...

Craig C. Hensel has been practicing law in Billings, Montana since 1996. Craig is licensed in all state courts in Montana, all state courts in North Dakota, and Federal Court for the District of Montana. Craig spent over a decade as a prosecutor where he gained extensive courtroom and jury trial experience, trying hundreds of cases to verdict. Craig also has extensive civil experience and represented defendants and insurance companies in personal injury actions for several years, before deciding to switch sides and represent injured individuals.

“I used to work for insurance companies, and saw how they would drag out...

Eric Holm is a Montana attorney and founding member of Holm Law Firm, PLLC. Eric enjoys a civil litigation practice in the areas of personal injury, insurance disputes, employment law, business law and commercial litigation, and general civil litigation. He is a member of the American, State and Yellowstone Area Bar Associations and is admitted to practice before all Montana state courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Patrick G.N. Beddow is an attorney licensed in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming, with a practice concentrating on the areas of real estate, oil & gas, minerals, trusts and estates (planning and probate), and title curative. He has significant depth and diversity of experience in mineral title, curative,and transactions in all three states in which he is licensed, as well as probate administration and real property transactions.

BRET T. ALLRED
Attorney

I spent my youth traveling the world as a navy dependent living anywhere from third world countries to some of the most modern cities in the world. This lifestyle exposed me to some of the struggles of the human condition. I learned that happiness does not come from riches, but from the freedom to live life on your own terms. In college, I married a Wyoming girl who convinced me to put down roots in the Big Horn Basin and Billings Area; and for the last eighteen years I have never regretted that decision. I enjoy living in...

Medical malpractice lawyer Jim Ragain has over four decades of experience resolving disputes, whether through negotiated settlements or favorable trial verdicts. Jim represents individuals and businesses in virtually all types of personal injury cases and a wide range of general litigation matters. The bulk of his practice is devoted to catastrophic injuries caused by negligence, medical malpractice, or intentional wrongdoing in Montana and Wyoming.

Before venturing into personal injury law, Merry Marr began her legal career working as a Patent Attorney in Washington State. She then expanded her legal skills by working in consumer protection law and later as the supervising attorney at the office of the public defender in Montana. After Merry relocated to Montana in 2011, she chose to dedicate her vast knowledge and experience to the field of personal injury law. Merry can think of no better use of her time, effort, and legal expertise than to help victims who have suffered personal injuries, and she wants nothing more than to...

Bill was born in New Milford, Connecticut.  He attended the University of Montana where he obtained his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in History and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Montana School of Law.  Bill was admitted to the Montana State Bar in 1995.  Bill has represented Montanans for 27 years. With more than 27 years of practicing law, Bill has tried over 40 jury trials. Bill has secured jury acquittals for people charged with serious crimes.  In the civil arena, he has represented defendants and plaintiffs, securing favorable verdicts for his clients.  He has handled appeals before the Montana...

High Plains Law, P.L.L.C. is a general practice law firm servicing Central Montana from our office in downtown Billings. We are dedicated to giving our clients not only quality legal representation but also outstanding customer service and value. The grandson of Butte miners, Will Gilbert is a fourth generation Montanan. Will graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 2000 and has been practicing in Montana since that time. Prior to founding High Plains Law, P.L.L.C., he was a partner in a well-respected firm and focused his practice on insurance defense, including personal injury, premises liability, construction...

Douglas Day has lived in Montana since 2001 when he and his family moved to Missoula to enter Law School at the University of Montana. Before that, Douglas completed a bachelor of science double major in biochemistry and cellular biology from the University of California, San Diego. It did not take long to fall in love with Big Sky country. After law school, his family moved to Lewistown to clerk for the 10th Judicial District Court for a year. Douglas then joined the Office of Public Defender as a Regional Deputy. He has served as...

Amanda is a Montana girl through and through. She loves spending her time skiing in the winter and camping in the summer. She grew up in Billings and Laurel Montana, and is a proud graduate of Laurel High School. Amanda attended Rocky Mountain College, in Billings, Montana, where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in History, Political Science, and Professional Communication Studies, with honors. While at Rocky, she was a member of the Debate Team recieving several awards and invaluable experience. During this time she also interned with Senator Tester's office. Amanda attended law school...

When Colin Gerstner went to college, he was studying history with no idea of what he really wanted to do with his life. Luckily, one of his professors gave him great advice to go to law school, hoping that he might find his passion. This was exactly the right fit for Colin, as law school gave him a new purpose, and showed him just how much he wanted to help people and be a part of social change.

He didn’t become an attorney to get rich, he just enjoys working with individuals and helping them get through whatever problem they are...

Wendy Jungblut grew up in Billings and is happy to be practicing law in her hometown. She has practiced in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, bankruptcy, family law, and adoption. She now focuses solely on personal injury. She is devoted to serving her clients by providing uniquely tailored assistance for each client. Because she understands that her clients often need more than just legal aid, she provides comprehensive support while navigating each individual’s unique needs. Education University of Montana School of Law– J.D. (2017) Montana State University– B.A. History (2014) Professional Experience The Advocates– Attorney (2022-present) The Law Firm of Edmiston & Colton– Associate...

Nick was born and raised in Montana, growing up in the Bitterroot Valley. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in Political Science and International Relations from Carroll College before going on to obtain his Juris Doctorate degree from Gonzaga Law School in Spokane, Washington ("let's go Zags!"). During law school, Nick served as the Gonzaga Law Review's Managing Editor and received a CALI Excellence for the Future Award for Legal Research and Writing as well as being awarded "Best Brief" during the school's Linden Cup advocacy competition. ? In addition to...

Moira is born and raised in Montana. She has been practicing law since 1995 when she graduated from the University of Montana, School of Law. She specializes in criminal defense and family law (divorce, custody).

A Billings girl born and raised. “I love Billings!” “I love Montana!” I come from a close knit family. My dad is a local Veterinarian, my mom, brothers and I grew up helping and working at my dad’s clinic. From my parents I learned the value of hard work, and that you don’t stop working until a job is, not only done, but done well. My early education took place at Trinity Lutheran School where I learned how important team work is. At West High School I continued to learn how to compete as a team member on...

I am a managing partner at Axilon Law, a small firm of very talented litigation attorneys scattered in four offices across the state. The lawyers I try to emulate not only present stirring arguments and know how to elicit testimony to strengthen their clients' cases, but also are experts in keeping their clients out of court as much as possible. I love being in court, and I have been recognized for my talents in that realm, but my clients never enjoy the experience. My job isn't to show off my talents; it is to protect my clients'...

Ben Snipes is a plaintiff's personal injury attorney, specializing in serious injury cases. His practice presently focuses on catastrophic workplace injuries, trucking and motor vehicle accidents, asbestos related diseases and mesothelioma cases.

In addition to a traditional plaintiffs practice, Mr. Snipes carries a significant Qui Tam/False Claims Act whistleblower and workers' compensation caseload.

He is an AV Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell® and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Montana by The National Trial Lawyers® since 2014. Since 2018, he has been recognized as a Rising Star (for attorneys 40 years...

A Montana Native, Jill understands that hard work yields good results, and she is committed to putting in the extra work each client deserves.
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Jill has spent over ten years representing people as a State and Federal Defender, where she has litigated everything from misdemeanor traffic offenses to a five-week triple homicide case.

Jill has earned the respect of her peers both in State courts and Federal courts and has won awards for her professionalism. Her work-ethic, matter-of-fact disposition, and trial advocacy skills are applied to every single case regardless of whether the case is a misdemeanor or a serious felony...

Thomas Bulman opened his disability law practice in 1981 after finishing a law clerk assignment for the Montana Supreme Court. He learned that he had to study medicine in order to best serve his injured clients with workers compensation and other injury cases. After 40 years, he has learned a great deal about doctors and medical treatment.

University of Montana alumni. Martin was a Deputy County Attorney prosecuting cases in Cascade County Montana. Marty then used that experience to defend the rights of those accused as a criminal defense attorney. Marty has also been involved in personal injury claims since 1996 and continues to obtain settlements and verdicts for injured claimants.

Penni has been practicing law in Montana since 1992, specializing in litigation and family law. She has successfully tried cases across the state, preserving millions of dollars of assets for her clients in divorce cases and recovering millions of dollars for her clients in injury cases. Penni, her husband and partner Dean Chisholm, and their staff of five are Chisholm & Chisholm, P.C. The law firm represents individuals and businesses in a variety of legal matters throughout Montana. The firm offers the highest quality legal services to its clients in the relaxed atmosphere of its Columbia...

You could say he is well-rounded: Herman was born in Macon, Georgia, where etiquette and manners make an impression. However, he grew up in Montana, settling scores with a friendly punch in the face. As for schooling, the third-generation criminal defense attorney went to preparatory school outside Boston, where he learned well how to read and write, but attended college in Portland, Oregon, where he avoided doing either, choosing instead to invest in the burgeoning beer market; Herman has worked in and managed several bars across the globe. After year-long sojourns in Oxford, England, and Holland, where he studied...

Shahid Haque dedicates his practice to helping immigrants obtain legal status in the United States and pursue all that the country has to offer. Mr. Haque assists clients with a wide variety of immigration matters, including applications with the consulates abroad and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, representing clients arrested by the Department of Homeland Security, and defending immigrants in deportation proceedings in Immigration Court.

Mr. Haque represents well over a thousand immigrants and their families all across Montana, and has been in contact with over a thousand other immigrants in Montana through his advocacy efforts. He has internalized their stories,...

Bradley J. Jones and his wife Brenda have been married for more than twenty years and are raising their four sons and one daughter in the Bitterroot. Following his first career in construction (carpenter/construction management/contractor) Brad joined Bulman Law Associates PLLC. as an intern in January 2013, and was an associate disability attorney from July 2014 thru December 2017. In January 2018 Brad struck out on his own froming Jones & Cook Attorneys at Law. Taking advantage of past experience, Brad’s practice focuses on workers’ compensation disputes, denial of veterans’ benefits, family law, wills and estates and...

Scott was born and raised in eastern Montana. He graduated with honors from the University of Montana Law School in 2011, where he served as the Articles Editor for the Montana Law Review. After law school, Scott served as a law clerk for the Honorable Brian Morris, a then Justice at the Montana Supreme Court. In private practice, Scott has been involved in various forms of litigation including insurance disputes, employment discrimination and personal injury cases. Among other cases, Scott was appointed by Montana's federal court as co-class counsel in a national insurance class action. The firm ultimately...

Anthony is a fifth-generation Montanan with deep roots in central Montana. Anthony prides himself in representing and standing up for those harmed by the more powerful (who are usually insured by some of the world’s largest insurance companies and defended by some of Montana’s and the nation’s largest law firms). Anthony represents clients in Bozeman and throughout Montana in practice areas that include catastrophic injuries, auto accidents, class actions, consumer protection law, motorcycle accidents, semi-truck accidents, insurance coverage litigation, insurance bad faith, premises liability, product liability (defective and dangerous products), and workers’ compensation.

I have a dedicated civil trial practice emphasizing personal injury, real estate and land disputes, and a general civil practice including divorce, will, trust and estate disputes, and small business. I have practiced in state and federal Montana courts for more than twenty years. I went to Harvard college, and I also went to the University of Colorado School of Law where I was an Articles Editor on the Law Review. I have tried cases to juries in state and federal district court, and I have handled appeals before the Montana Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit...

Jean Elizabeth Faure is an AV-rated civil trial attorney with 25 years of experience in labor/employment law, education/school law, and civil litigation. At least 50% of Jean's practice involves the representation of both public and private employers in connection with all labor and employment-related issues. Jean litigates wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, trade secret, non-compete, Family Medical Leave Act, and ERISA/fiduciary claims. Jean also handles union labor contract negotiations, labor grievance arbitrations, unfair labor practices and other issues under the NLRA. Jean's school law practice includes students with disabilities, special education/IDEA, student discipline, employment practices (teacher termination), and...

In August of 2008, Briana began law school at the University of Montana School of Law. While attending law school, Briana was a staff member and then an editor on the MONTANA LAW REVIEW. While on the Law Review, Briana, as Symposium Editor, orchestrated a two-day Symposium on the Montana Constitution, which was heralded as one of the best Symposia that the Law Review has held to date. She was a member of the UM Trial Team during her second year and a member of the Criminal Defense Clinic during her third year. Additionally, she was Professor Cynthia Ford’s research...

Rick Baskett is an Attorney and CPA. A graduate of both the business school and the law school at the University of Montana, he has worked in the tax department of Price Waterhouse (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers) in New York City and Baltimore, Maryland., as general counsel for Washington Corporations (now The Washington Companies), and for tax law firms in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. He has been adjunct lecturer of Partnership Taxation at the University of Montana School of Law, and has spoken at various continuing education courses on tax. In 1994, he established Baskett Law Office, emphasizing estate planning, probate, tax...