Neil G. Westesen

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...

Leah was born and raised in Whitefish, Montana. She attended Boston College and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a minor in Hispanic Studies. Upon graduation, Leah returned to Montana and worked as a compliance specialist at a local credit union. Leah then attended law school at the University of Montana School of Law. While in law school, Leah worked at GLR as a legal intern, as a teacher’s assistant and tutor for fellow law students, an...

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...

Gary Kalkstein is a Partner in our Missoula office and focuses his practice on medical malpractice and health care matters. For the last 35 years, Gary has defended a wide range of health care clients, including physicians, hospitals, clinics, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, professional counselors, and other health care providers in medical negligence actions and professional licensing disputes throughout the State of Montana. He routinely appears before the Montana Medical Legal ...

Ross T. Johnson is a partner at Kovacich Snipes Johnson. Mr. Johnson grew up working on the family farm and ranch, located north of Conrad, Montana. In 2008, he graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in Economics. After graduating college, Mr. Johnson returned to Montana where he earned a J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2012. Since joining the firm, Mr. Johnson has litigated a wide array of plaintiffs’ civil claims including, but not limited to: wrongful death,...

Cherche Prezeau is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Cherche, who practices law in Helena, Montana, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cherche is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jill Gerdrum is a civil litigator with a practice focused on product liability, transportation, premises liability, insurance defense, professional liability, and employment law. Jill’s product liability experience includes claims related to farm equipment, RV component parts, engine components, loading dock equipment, lawn mowers, medical supplies, livestock feed, and underground fuel tanks. In the transportation and premises liability arenas, she represents trucking companies, insurer...

Kristy Buckley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Kristy, who practices law in Bozeman, Montana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A former law clerk for Ninth Circuit Judges Thomas G. Nelson and N. Randy Smith, Michael Manning’s practice focuses on appellate advocacy and complex litigation. He has argued multiple appeals in the Ninth Circuit, and regularly represents clients in both federal and state courts. His appellate and trial-level litigation experience covers a broad range of substantive topics, including environmental litigation, constitutional issues, intellectual property, bank bad faith and lender liabi...

Randy concentrates his practice in insurance law, bad faith defense and general negligence litigation, including construction defect cases and class actions. He has successfully defended negligence and insurance bad faith cases through trial and on appeal. His clients include both national and regional corporations as well as many Montana individuals and businesses. He has been recognized in Chambers USA: Leading Lawyers in Business (Commercial Litigation) and by Best Lawyers in America. His ...