Member News for December-January
CAREER MOVES
Reavis joins as associate at Netzer, Krautter & Brown P.C.
The law firm of Netzer, Krautter & Brown, P.C. is pleased to announce that James Reavis has joined the firm’s Billings office as an associate attorney.
Reavis received a degree in History and Global Politics from Washington State University, a Juris Doctor from The University of Montana, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Reavis worked with the Office of the Public Defender for 11 years, representing many clients in the trial courts and resolving over 130 appeals before the Montana Supreme Court. Reavis has also provided pro bono family law advice with Montana Legal Services Association for many years. He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, running outside, playing games, and going to a crossfit gym. Reavis has published a memoir and is working on his first fictional novel.
Reavis’ practice will be focused on criminal law, family law, social security disability, and appellate litigation.
Dolphay, McClafferty, Sullivan elected to partnership with Holland & Hart in Billings
Holland & Hart LLP is pleased to announce the election of 23 partners effective Jan. 1, 2024, including three in Billings: Matthew Dolphay, Brianne McClafferty, and John Sullivan.
“These new partners embody a passionate commitment to excellence in legal service and client care which are the foundation of the firm’s value-based approach to delivering legal services,” said Chris Balch, firm chair. “They each demonstrate leadership in client relationships, collaboration within and across teams, and a dedication to maintain and strengthen our unique firm culture.”
Dolphay serves clients in environmental litigation; McClafferty serves clients in commercial litigation; and Sullivan serves clients in government investigations and white collar defense.
Ipsen, Reavis, Chambers join MLSA as attorneys in 2023
Ellen Ipsen, Amy Reavis and William “Bill” Chambers joined Montana Legal Services Association in 2023.
Ipsen joined MLSA as a Skadden Fellow. Ipsen received her J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law (graduated Order of the Coif) and a B.A. in history and economics, University of Montana Davidson Honors College. During law school, she was a fellow in the Public Law and Policy program and the Native Environmental Sovereignty program. She externed for the Honorable U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie Russo and served as a law clerk at the Federal Public Defender of Oregon.
After law school and prior to joining MLSA, Ipsen worked at a private firm in Eugene, Oregon. In her free time, she likes to read, cook and try new types of food, trail run, and watch outrageous reality TV.
Reavis also joined as a Skadden Fellow. Her two year fellowship project (2023-2025) aims to represent criminalized survivors of domestic violence with the civil fallout of their criminal records. A large part of her practice will be implementing Montana’s 2019 misdemeanor expungement act through direct representation and advice calls, and eventually conducting attorney training and developing pro se and informational materials on expungement. She can also address and advise on denials of housing, benefits, and employment due to a criminal record and answer questions about getting removed from Montana’s Offender Registry.
Chambers joined MLSA in October 2023 as the agricultural worker and housing attorney. Chambers received a B.A. in art and speech from Wabash College in Indiana and his J.D. from Willamette University in Oregon. He has spent the last 12 years in private practice focused on complex litigation and is excited to dive into helping underserved populations with MLSA’s ag worker population.
Dardis, Cranston join Brown Law Firm in Missoula, Billings
Brown Law Firm, P.C., with offices in Billings and Missoula, is pleased to announce that Emily Dardis and Matthew Cranston have recently joined the firm as associate attorneys.
Dardis grew up in Kalispell and graduated with highest honors from Montana State University before attending the University of Montana School of Law. She interned with the Brown Law Firm for two years and capped off law school by working in the Office of the Governor. She is admitted to practice law in Montana’s state and federal courts. Her practice is primarily in civil defense litigation. She is a member of the State Bar of Montana, Western Montana Bar Association, and Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association. She is located in the firm’s Missoula office.
Cranston grew up in Billings. He graduated magna cum laude from Gonzaga University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with concentrations in finance and law and public policy. During his time at Gonzaga, he was president of the Gonzaga Kennel Club, attending every basketball game during his time there. After Gonzaga, Cranston moved back to Montana and attended the University of Montana School of Law. He interned for the firm’s Missoula office for one year during law school and graduated in 2023 with honors. Cranston is admitted to practice in Montana’s state and federal courts. His primary areas of practice include civil litigation, insurance defense, and pre-litigation claim investigations. Cranston is a member of the State Bar of Montana, the Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association, and Yellowstone Area Bar Association. He is in the firm’s Billings office.
Drake Law Firm welcomes Guldseth, Warne to firm
Drake Law Firm, P.C. is expanding its estate planning, family law, and litigation practices in Helena with the addition of attorneys Caroline Warne and Kale Guldseth.
Warne is a family law attorney with nearly 20 years’ experience. Her practice includes guardian ad litem work across western and central Montana and dissolution and parenting plan cases in the Helena area.
Born and raised in Butte, Guldseth joins the firm’s litigation, business, and estate planning teams, and he comes to the Drake Law Firm following clerkships with U.S. District Judge Brian Morris and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Benjamin Hursh. He is a graduate of Montana Tech and Seattle University Law School.
Warne and Guldseth join the Drake Law Firm’s collaborative, thoughtful, and experienced slate of attorneys. Learn more about our Helena team at drakemt.com.
Quintana takes position with D.C. Board of Elections
Jorge Quintana accepted an Attorney Advisor position with the District of Columbia Board of Elections.
The Board of Elections is an independent agency responsible for the administration of elections, ballot access, and voter registration. Quintana had previously worked for the Montana Secretary of State and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife, Colette Bliss. They have a daughter, Celia who is studying Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.