Gary W. Bjelland

Katie is a partner at Garlington Lohn & Robinson PLLP and chair of the employment law practice group. Katie counsels her clients on employment and labor law issues and has clients representing nearly all industries in Montana. Katie also brings a broad perspective due to her experience litigating civil matters. She is admitted to practice before all Montana courts, the United States District Courts for the District of Montana, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of th...

Robert J. Phillips has been practicing since 1978 in areas of insurance defense or all kinds, including coverage opinions, coverage litigation and bad faith defense. He has tried numerous civil jury trials in various areas, including automobile, trucking, railroad, products liability, professional liability, construction defect and insurance bad faith, in State, Federal and Tribal courts. He has been lead counsel in many of the leading cases in Montana insurance law before the Montana Supreme...

Bob was born in Washington, D.C. in 1960. He undertook his legal studies at the University of Montana School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor degree with high honors in 1996. His undergraduate studies were in philosophy at the University of Southern California, completing his Bachelor's Degree in 1984. Bob's current practice focuses on trademark law, copyright law, trade secrets, intellectual property licensing, employment and labor law, commercial and real estate litigation. He also has wo...

Paul Odegaard, a North Dakota native, came to Montana in 1999 to begin his legal career in private practice. Prior to earning his law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1998, Paul graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota in 1994. While attending law school, he was inducted into the Order of the Coif, which reflected his achievement for graduating in the top 10% of his class. After graduating from law school, Paul served as a law clerk for the Justice Mar...

Attorney Ben A. Snipes is a partner and shareholder with the Kovacich Snipes Johnson, P.C., law firm in Great Falls, Montana. Nationally recognized as a top trial advocate, Mr. Snipes focuses his practice primarily on plaintiff injury claims, including trucking accidents and construction injuries . He also has unique experience in toxic tort cases, such as asbestos and mesothelioma cases , and work-related injuries. In addition, he maintains an active docket of qui tam/false claims act whistl...

Elizabeth A. O'Halloran is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Education Law, Employment Law - Individuals and Employment Law - Management. Elizabeth A., who practices law in Missoula, Montana, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Duncan A. Peete is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Duncan A., who practices law in Billings, Montana, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Duncan A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal prac...

Justin K. Cole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Justin K., who practices law in Missoula, Montana, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff has a diverse practice that includes civil litigation, insurance defense, employment law, business law, construction law and workers' compensation. He is admitted to practice in all Montana Courts, the United States District Courts for the District of Montana and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also admitted to practice in California (inactive status). Jeff enjoys advising employers on all business and litigation related matters. Jeff's honors, awards and professional associati...

Mark Kovacich, a principal at KSJ, has lived in Montana most of his life. He graduated from Colstrip High School in Colstrip, Montana, where he was named Valedictorian in 1991. Mark later attended college at Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Butte, Montana. He obtained a bachelor of science in environmental engineering, graduating with honors in 1996. In 1999, Mark graduated with honors from the University of Montana Law School. After finishing law school, Mark worked for the Crowl...