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Jim 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 or intentional wrongdoing.

While the vast majority of that time has been spent representing claimants, he also has over 15 years of experience as a defense litigator, giving him unique insight into the strategy and tactics of his opponents. His record of success, and the firm’s extensive resources, allow the firm to handle all facets of complex car accident cases, medical malpractice claims and business litigation.

Jim is a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Montana.  He also is part of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury, and also Mountain States Super Lawyers for Products Liability.

He graduated with a degree in Journalism from Kansas, attended Washburn University School of Law where he was on Law Review, and he has a Masters in Taxation from the University of Florida. He is admitted to practice in Nebraska, Montana, and US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.  He has been an instructor in the areas of law and presented numerous times in the areas of negligence, liability, and litigation.

You can view all of Jim’s education, experience, and accolades below. 

Education

  • University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, 1981, LLM Taxation
  • Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas, 1979, JD, With Honors
  • University of Kansas, 1976, BS, Journalism

Bar Admissions

  • Nebraska, 1979
  • Montana, 1982
  • US Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1985

Honors and Awards

  • Law Review, Washburn University School of Law
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2001 — present
  • Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury, 2006 — present
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers — Products Liability, 2007 – present
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Montana, 2012 – present

Classes and Seminars Taught

  • Instructor, Civil Litigation, Rocky Mountain College, 1987 — 1988
  • Presenter, Environmental Liability, Montana State Bar Seminar, 1995
  • Presenter, Montana law update: Commercial Litigation, Montana Trial Lawyers Winter Seminar, 1998
  • Presenter, Accounting Negligence, 1999 Montana Trial Lawyers Seminar of the Masters
  • Presenter, Effective Use of Expert Witnesses, 2003 Montana Trial Lawyers Seminar of the Masters
  • Seminar Chairman, Montana Trial Lawyers Commercial Litigation Seminar, 1998
  • Seminar Chairman, Montana Trial Lawyers Medical School for Lawyers, 2000
  • Seminar Chairman, Montana Trial Lawyers Scientific Evidence Seminar, 2003
  • Seminar Chairman, Montana Trial Lawyers Medical School for Lawyers, 2009

Professional Associations

  • Member, State Bar of Montana
  • Member, American Association for Justice
  • Sustaining Member, Montana Trial Lawyers Association

Directorships

  • Montana Trial Lawyers Association, 2000 – 2006, Chair of Education Committee

Published Works

  • “Truth in Lending: Acceleration Clause Need Not be Disclosed as Default Charge”, 17 Washburn Law Journal 219, 1977
  • Use of Expert Witnesses in Toxic Tort Litigation, Montana Lawyer, 1989
  • Enforceability of Physician Arbitration Clauses, Montana Trial Trends, 1999
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