About the Job:

Established AV-rated Missoula law firm is seeking an articulate and ambitious associate attorney as a long-term addition to our litigation team, which is rated among the top firms in Montana according to Benchmark Litigation (Highly Recommended), Chambers and Partners (Band 1), and other independent rating groups.  The position involves working alongside our experienced attorneys to represent the firm’s clients in civil litigation matters in both state and federal courts.

Qualified candidates must have outstanding analytical and writing skills, a strong work ethic and dedication to exceptional client service. Candidates must possess knowledge of Montana law and be admitted to practice in Montana by September 2021.

All Candidates Must:

• Strong interest in all aspects of civil litigation, including motions, discovery, depositions, hearings and trials.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Strong research and writing skills;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and achieve deadlines under pressure;
• Strong organizational and strong problem solving skills;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to maintain professionalism and a positive service attitude at all times;
• Knowledge of Federal/State/Local Court rules; and
• Ability to work in a fast-paced multitasking environment.

Duties Include:

• Frequent court appearances;
• Negotiation, depositions, arbitrations, and trials;
• Analyzing cases, developing strategies, providing client advice, conducting legal research;
• Client strategies advice, case analysis, legal research;
• Drafting legal documents including all stages of discovery; and
• Managing monthly caseload.

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree by September 2021; and
• Admitted to practice in Montana by September 2021.

Application Instructions:

All interested candidates must send a resume together with a cover letter, references, undergraduate and law school transcripts, and writing sample to Anna-Maria Murray at ammurray@boonekarlberg.com. This position will remain open until filled.

Benefits/Starting Salary:

We offer a competitive compensation package, health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and the potential for an annual performance bonus.

Job Type: Salaried

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at BK, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, religion, creed, sex, military status or any other protected characteristic as established by the Montana Human Rights act or any other law.

This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, layoff, termination, training and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.  BK will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship, as per applicable laws.  Appropriate disciplinary action may be taken against any employee willfully violating this policy, up to and including termination.

Neither BK nor any of its employees will retaliate against any applicant, employee or past employee for opposing unlawful discriminatory practices, filing a discrimination complaint, or participating in any other manner in a discrimination proceeding.  If it is found after investigation that retaliation has occurred, disciplinary action may result, up to and including termination.

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About the Job:

Established AV-rated Missoula law firm is seeking a full-time litigation paralegal to join our litigation team. Our firm is rated among the top firms in Montana according to Benchmark Litigation, Chambers and Partners, and other independent rating groups.

Must be able to work in a fast paced, deadline driven environment with attention to detail and the ability to multi-task. Must also possess strong interpersonal, administrative and organizational skills and be able to work independently, as well as part of a team. Candidate should have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be proficient with Microsoft including Office Suite and law firm timekeeping software (firm uses Orion). Prior experience is preferred.

Job Duties:

• Schedule deposition/court events with attorneys and others in attendance. Manage calendars and inform attorney of upcoming deadlines;
• Providing regular, substantive communication to firm clients to advise them of the status of their case and work with them to compile responses to discovery requests, disclosure information and other updates;
• Prepare drafts of pleadings, motions, and other court documents;
• Reviewing and summarizing file details, and calendaring/tracking/managing deadlines and tasks;
• Preparing, collecting, summarizing and organizing the information, data and evidence for use by attorneys in hearings or trials along with preparing and organizing, notes, medical records, legal documents and client materials;
• Assist attorneys by researching legal precedent, investigating facts, and preparing legal documents;
• Coordinating lien, litigation, and bankruptcy searches using Pacer and other software;
• Assistance with litigation-related projects as needed;
• Verify documents for accuracy. Editing and proofreading legal documents; researching, organizing medical records, public and private records as needed.

The listed duties are not exhaustive, and the ideal candidate will be self-motivated, be able to multi-task, prioritize, and re-prioritize as may be necessary, and possess legal knowledge and insight in order to predict and execute tasks without constant supervision and guidance. Also the ideal candidate must be able to take direction from multiple attorneys as may be necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of legal experience and education;
• Experience interacting with clients;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in drafting complaints, motions, answers, and other pleadings and knowledge of the local rules of court, performing legal research, correspondence etc.;
• Strong automation skills to navigate various software programs;
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills required;
• Prior legal research experience a plus;
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment;
• Proactive results-focused work ethic;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite 2016;
• Background in a time management system, Orion preferred;
• Background in a document management system, Worldox preferred.

Application Instructions:

All interested candidates must send a resume together with a cover letter, and references, to ammurray@boonekarlberg.com. This position will remain open until filled.

Benefits/Starting Salary:

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes health, life and long-term disability insurance, 401(k) with matching, and paid time off.

Job Type: Hourly

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Boone Karlberg is an equal opportunity employer.  Boone Karlberg does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Click here to download this job description.

A Gallatin County judge granted Boone Karlberg's motion to dismiss all claims against a Belgrade daycare in regard to an infant’s alleged head injury.  

Attorneys Ross Tillman and Zach Franz filed the motion on behalf of the daycare and its owners, whom the plaintiffs alleged were responsible for a 4-month old's subdural bleeding.  Tillman and Franz took the depositions of 10 witnesses, including treating doctors, law enforcement officers, and state daycare licensors.  Their investigation demonstrated a lack of evidence that the daycare caused the child's medical condition, and established the condition may have arisen naturally.  

In their summary judgment motion, Tillman and Franz argued the plaintiffs had not met the legal burden necessary to support their claims.  After written briefs and an in-person hearing, the District Court judge agreed.  

We are proud to have represented the defendants in this case and are pleased with the favorable outcome.  Read the full Order here.

Boone Karlberg P.C. received Tier 1 regional rankings in the following areas in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report:

• Commerical Litigation
• Corporate Law
• Employment Law - Individuals
• Employment Law - Management
• Family Law
• Litigation - Banking & Finance
• Litigation - Construction
• Litigation - Labor & Employment
• Litigation - Real Estate
• Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
• Real Estate Law

For a complete list of rankings, please visit the report here.

After 30 years practicing law with Boone Karlberg and volunteering his time in the Missoula community, Dean Stensland has set his sights on a well-deserved retirement.We have benefited from his outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence in all aspects of life. While never easy to bid farewell, we know Dean will not slow down or retire in the traditional sense but merely shift the focus of his considerable talents and boundless energy in pursuit of his other passions. Dean will be deeply missed, and we
wish him all the best as he takes on new challenges and adventures with his amazing wife, Kim, who is herself retiring from an impressive career of serving the community in nursing.We are grateful for everything Dean has accomplished. His work ethic and legacy will inspire us well into the future.

Boone Karlberg P.C. proudly announces the addition of our new Associate Attorney, Rebecca L. Stursberg.

Rebecca L. Stursberg was born and raised in New York City.  She attended college at the University of Michigan, where she earned a B.A. in English Literature in 2010.  Following a cross-country road trip, Rebecca ended up in Missoula, fell in love with the community and life in the Rocky Mountain west, and decided to stay.  She attended the University of Montana School of Law, where she worked as an editor on the Montana Law Review, a teaching assistant, and a research assistant.  After graduating with honors in 2019, Rebecca clerked for Justice Beth Baker of the Montana Supreme Court. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys hiking, skiing, biking, and cooking with her family and friends.

Boone Karlberg P.C. proudly announces the addition of our new Associate Attorney, William T. Casey III.

William T. Casey III was born and raised in Kennesaw, Georgia. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the 2011 National Championship baseball team.  Will attended law school at the University of Montana, graduating with honors in 2019.  During law school, he was a member of the National Trial Competition Team and the recipient of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for Distinguished Achievement in Trial Advocacy.  After law school, Will clerked for Judge Sam E. Haddon, United States District Court for the District of Montana.  Will is an avid outdoorsman and spends his free time fly fishing, hunting, and skiing.

We are pleased to announce that five attoneys with Boone Karlberg P.C. are recognized in the 2021 edition of Benchmark Litigation:

Randy Cox - Local Litigation Star
William Crowley - Local Litigation Star
Matt Hayhurst - Local Litigation Star
Natasha Jones - Local Litigation Star
Scott Stearns - Future Star

Boone Karlberg P.C. is proud to announce that 8 of our attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 27th edition of The Best Lawyers In America®.

James A. Bowditch

Randy J. Cox

William L. Crowley

Matthew B. Hayhurst

Natasha P. Jones

Scott M. Stearns

Dean A. Stensland

Robert J. Sullivan

Cindy K. Thiel

Boone Karlberg’s tradition of legal excellence stretches back for 74 years and will continue well into the future with the addition of our newest associate attorney Alison R. Potts. Alison is a 2019 graduate of the University of Montana where she graduated with her JD and MBA. Alison’s practice focuses primarily on family law, but also includes business, real property, and estate planning. Alison was raised on the Connecticut shoreline but moved to Montana to attend Montana State University. While in the joint JD-MBA program, Alison interned for a Missoula law firm, was a graduate student fellow at the Missoula Economic Partnership, and completed her clinical internship at the University of Montana Office of Legal Counsel. In her free time, she enjoys spending time on the trails of Montana hiking with her dogs or riding her horses, pushing herself outside of her comfort zone by learning to rock climb, and trying out new recipes in her kitchen.

Boone Karlberg P.C. is pleased to announce the firm has received multiple honors through Chambers and Partners in the Chamber USA 2020 rankings.

Litigation: #1 in General Commercial - Group 1 of top law firms

Comments about Boone Karlberg P.C. in this category include: "High-class practice that deals with complex legal issues, including railroad litigation, civil rights claims and insurance disputes. Regularly engaged on behalf of insurers, government entities and banks, and experienced appearing before both the state and federal courts. The firm frequently handles product liability work and commercial disputes, as well as legal and healthcare malpractice cases.”

Noted Attorney(s)- Randy Cox (Band 1)- “maintains his position at the forefront of the litigation market, with clients benefiting from his longstanding experience in commercial disputes. He also advises on appellate matters, having advised on cases before the Ninth Circuit and the Montana Supreme Court.”

Noted Attorney(s)- Matthew B. Hayhurst (Band 1)- “enjoys an excellent reputation for his abilities in complex disputes work. His wide-ranging commercial litigation practice is also complemented by strengths in personal injury and insurance matters.”

Noted Attorney(s)- Natasha Prinzing Jones (Band 2)- “continues to excel in high-stakes trial work, with clients turning to her for her excellent courtroom advocacy skills. Her wide-ranging practice sees her often take on cases involving product liability claims, insurance coverage matters and employment law.”

Noted Attorney(s)- Dean Stensland (Band 2)- “handles a broad spectrum of commercial disputes, alongside significant experience in the construction sector. His practice also sees him advise on corporate transactional work.”

Real Estate-  #1 in Group 2 of top law firms

Comments about Boone Karlberg P.C. in this category include: “Respected offering housing practitioners with experience handling an array of real estate mandates. In demand for its expertise on purchase, sale and lease transactions, as well as on financing and mortgages, enacted on behalf of clients from the real estate, healthcare and financial sectors. Adept at assisting developers with high-end residential subdivision matters and also well placed to advise on construction disputes.”

Noted Attorney(s)- Dean A. Stensland (Band 2)- “is considered a "well-established and experienced practitioner" by market sources. His respected real estate practice encompasses both transactional and contentious matters.”

Corporate/M&A- #1 in Group 2 of top law firms

Comments about Boone Karlberg P.C. in this category include: “Missoula firm with notable strength in transactional work. Acts for clients on the formation of joint ventures, acquisitions and partnership matters. Regularly retained by companies, individuals and banks.”

Noted Attorney(s)- Dean A. Stensland (Band 3)- “comes recommended for his experience in a wide range of matters. He assists with commercial transactions, as well as representing clients in litigation.”

Noted Attorney(s)- James A. Bowditch (Band 3)- “is regarded as "knowledgeable and a very good lawyer" who is "very accomplished in the field" by market commentators. He maintains a broad practice, ranging from corporate transactions to matters related to real estate and estate planning”

Boone Karlberg is proud to highlight the article "The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and Charitable Giving Impact and Planning Strategies" published by our shareholder, Julie R. Sirrs. The article was published in a recent ABA publication Probate & Property.

Boone Karlberg P.C. is one of three nominees for the "Montana Firm of the Year" award with Benchmark Litigation. Benchmark Litigation is the definitive guide to the world's leading litigation law firms. The award will be given at the 2020 Annual Awards Gala in March. A shortlist of the West Coast nominees can be found at here.

Boone Karlberg P.C. is proud to introduce our newest partner and shareholder, Zach Franz.  Zach studied journalism at the University of Montana, then covered the “cops and courts” beat for the Great Falls Tribune before returning to Missoula for law school.  After law school, Zach served as a law clerk to the Hon. Keith Strong, federal magistrate judge.  Zach married his wife, Allison, during the clerkship.  They have two spirited daughters, Lily and Nora.  Zach was a legal intern at Boone Karlberg during law school and returned to the firm as an associate in 2014.  His practice focuses on litigation defense.

Boone Karlberg’s tradition of legal excellence stretches back for 73 years and will continue well into the future with the addition of our newest associate attorney Evan B. Coren. Evan’s practice is devoted primarily to business and real estate transactions, bankruptcy matters and commercial litigation. Evan graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago and earned his J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2013. After law school, Evan joined a Philadelphia-based litigation boutique, where his practice focused on litigation involving financial institutions, real estate and bankruptcy trustees. Evan went on to clerk with the Honorable James J. Tancredi, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut, and later joined a large law firm, where he represented creditors and debtors in connection with bankruptcy reorganizations, liquidations and related transactions. Evan spends his free time on the trails and rivers of Montana with his wife, Clare, and their two rambunctious Australian Shepherds.

Randy J. Cox of Boone Karlberg P.C. has been admitted to membership in the International Society of Barristers (ISOB).  Membership is attained by invitation extended only after a rigorous screening process that considers the lawyer’s ability, experience, accomplishments and ethical standards as assessed by trial lawyers and judges in jurisdictions in which the lawyer has practiced.  ISOB members mutually support common goals – safeguarding the right to trial by jury, improving advocacy, recognizing courtroom advocacy as a specialty, encouraging and promoting ethical conduct in litigation and protecting the rights of citizens in the judicial process.  Randy has advocated on behalf of clients in a wide range of legal areas in state and federal courts across Montana.  In addition, he has been devoted to teaching trial advocacy through trial colleges in Montana and Texas, coaching the University of Montana Law School trial competition teams and teaching at dozens of legal education programs in Montana, California, Utah, Idaho, Kansas and Quebec, Canada.  Randy will be formally inducted to ISOB in March, 2020, in South Carolina.

Boone Karlberg P.C. is pleased to announce three of our attorneys received the 2020 Lawyer of the Year awards through Best Lawyers.

Matt Hayhurst, 2020 Lawyer of the Year award for his work in Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

Dean Stensland, 2020 Lawyer of the Year award for his work in Litigation - Real Estate

Bob Sullivan, 2020 Lawyer of the Year  for his work in Litigation - Banking and Finance

Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a "Lawyer of the Year" award.