Gary W. Bjelland

Maxwell “Max” Kirchhoff is a partner at Western Justice Associates. His practice is exclusively dedicated to civil litigation for plaintiffs, where he focuses on personal injury, product liability, and class action litigation. Max is a third-generation Montanan, born and raised in Bozeman. He has proudly represented Montanans from all corners of the State. Max understands that most Montanans will have a hard time getting a fair settlement from insurance companies and other corpora...

Malcolm Goodrich was admitted to practice in Montana in 1984 and is certified as a Business Bankruptcy Specialist by ABI/ABC. The Goodrich Law Firm practices throughout the State of Montana and accepts clients on a referral basis only. The Firm concentrates its practice in the areas of insolvency, agricultural law, banking law and comercial litigation. Malcolm Goodrich is a past president of the State Bar Bankruptcy Section and has spoken at numerous seminars both throughout the State of Mont...

Cole Derks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Agriculture Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Cole, who practices law in Billings, Montana, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cole is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brandon Hoskins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Brandon, who practices law in Billings, Montana, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brandon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

Kevin, who was raised in Butte, focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense, as well as commercial, insurance, and media law litigation. Kevin received a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1987 from the University of Montana, where he served as a reporter and later as the editor of the student newspaper. After graduation, he worked as a news reporter for more than four years, writing about police and legal issues for newspapers in Texas and Montana. He later returned to Missoula...

Kristy Buckley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Her professional recognitions include an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, sustained for more than ten years, designation as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in both 2018 and 2019 and a Super Lawyer in 2026, and inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®. She grew up in Helena and now lives in Bozeman with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time in th...

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.

Brad grew up in Montana. He left the state to play college baseball in Florida and attend the United States Naval Academy. After graduating from the University of Montana law school with honors in 1977 he began private practice in Missoula. Since that time he has had a varied state wide practice involving insurance related litigation, specializing in insurance bad faith, personal injury, professional negligence and workers’ compensation law. Brad has handled more than 60 appeals before ...