John E. Bloomquist

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...

Peter was born in Trondheim, Norway in 1963. After immigrating to United States as a child, he lived in New York. His family finally settled in Seattle, Washington, where he attended the University of Washington, receiving a degree in History in 1985. He received his law degree from Willamette University in 1989 and worked in the Civil Trial Division of the Oregon Department of Justice. As a prosecuting attorney in Seattle for six years, Peter prosecuted approximately 50 jury trials along wit...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Shane D. Colton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Shane D., who practices law in Billings, Montana, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shane D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christian advises clients on real estate transactions, laws relating to land conservation and tax-exempt organizations, and related areas. He specializes in conservation easement transactions. Before co-founding Neilson, Swanson, Dietrich, Smith, PLLC, Christian served as General Counsel for the Montana Land Reliance, one of the nation's preeminent land trusts. In addition to the interpretation and defense of a million-plus-acre conservation easement portfolio at MLR, he successfully advised ...

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...

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...