Scott M. Stearns

Tessa A. Keller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Tessa A., 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 Tessa A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Elizabeth A. Kaleva is an attorney in Missoula, Montana, focusing her practice on representation of public and private school districts throughout the state of Montana, as well as the Montana High School Association. Bea graduated from Boston College in 1991, and the University of Montana School of Law in 1995. After clerking for a year, Bea joined the Montana School Boards Association as a staff attorney. She rose to the General Counsel position and remained with the MTSBA until 2003, when s...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...