I am originally from Dutton, Montana. (Dutton will ALWAYS be my home). I had the good fortune to attend Carroll College -- GO SAINTS ! -- for my undergraduate degree in philosophy. After attending the University of Montana for graduate work in philosophy, I decided to abandon the love of wisdom and proceed to law school. I graduated from UM Law in 2005. I passed the bar and promptly suffered catastrophic heart failure. In August 2006 I had a heart transplant at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington.
I returned to Montana in November and returned to the practice of law. In April 2007, I was fortunate enough to get a job offer from the esteemed John E. Smith. John and I have been working together ever since.
My practice is exclusively criminal defense. I practice in all courts and in the past 6 months (Feb. -- July 2010) I have tried two federal felony trials and twice argued before the Montana Supreme Court.
My wife works at the Federal District Court in Missoula. I have two beautiful daughters. My life in all aspects is perfect.
Dutton High School 1990-1994
Carroll College 1994-1998
University of Montana Graduate Department (Philosophy) 2000-2002
University of Montana School of Law 2003-2005
Currently employed at Smith & Stephens, P.C. in Missoula, MT
Licensed to Practice: State of Montana; Federal Courts of Montana; 9th Circuit Court of Appeals; United States Supreme Court
Recipient of the first ever "Champion of Justice Award" from the Montana Innocence Project (2012)
Lifetime member of the Montana Criminal Defense Lawyers Ass'n
Lifetime Member--National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Member -- Association of Federal Defense Attorneys
Member--National Legal Aid and Defender Association