Top Best Criminal Appeals Lawyers | 33889 Available

Brittany was admitted to the Montana Bar in 2013 and quickly began her legal career as a criminal prosecutor for Gallatin County—one of the busiest and most dynamic jurisdictions in the state. During her time at the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases and conducted dozens of jury and bench trials, gaining invaluable courtroom experience and a deep understanding of Montana’s legal system and the people within it.. She then transitioned into private practice, where she focused on DUI and criminal defense, as well as plaintiff-side litigation. Her time as a prosecutor gave her a unique perspective and strategic edge when advocating for her clients in and out of the courtroom.. Next, an opportunity to take on a senior leadership role at a beloved Bozeman nonprofit opened the door to a new chapter. Brittany served for nearly a decade as the Director of Operations, advising on legal, HR, and business matters and helping guide the organization through periods of growth and change. That experience exponentially broadened her skillset and deepened her connection to the community she serves.. Now, as the founder of Saddle Peak Law, PLLC, Brittany brings together her legal expertise and real-world business and nonprofit leadership experience. Her practice focuses on business law, contracts, employment law, wage and hour disputes, nonprofit law, criminal and DUI defense, and equine law. Whether you're an individual navigating a criminal or contractual legal issue, a small business in need of guidance, or a nonprofit striving for compliance and sustainability, Brittany offers practical, informed, experienced, strategic, and compassionate counsel.. Brittany is deeply rooted in the Gallatin Valley and the people, organizations, and traditions that have made it so special. When she’s not working with clients, you’ll likely find her on horseback, volunteering for local nonprofit organizations, or cheering on the Montana State University Bobcats.

Colin is passionate about helping people and handles legal matters very seriously.  If you need effective legal representation, please feel free to contact him at:. .. FREE CONSULTATION

Experienced Lawyer practicing in Southwest Montana, specializing in all areas of Criminal Defense, Litigation, and General Practice.

Sam has represented criminal defendants since 2003. He has represented multiple defendants on charges ranging from minor misdemeanors to the death penalty. He is a former criminal justice professor who has published several academic articles as well as a textbook on criminal evidence.

Alisha Rapkoch is currently licensed to practice in the State of Montana and the U.S. District Court for the district of Montana. She is currently death penalty qualified in Montana. She is inactive in the State of Arizona. Alisha achieved the high honor of being named Montana's Public Defender of the year in her first year of practice. Alisha attended the University of Texas - Permian Basin, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a minor in Psychology. In December 2014, Alisha received her Juris Doctorate degree with High Honors in Litigation and Trial Advocacy from Barry University School of Law in Orlando, Florida. Alisha passed the February 2015 Uniform Bar Exam. Alisha is a graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College July class of 2016.

Client satisfaction is my priority. I strive to be a powerful advocate for my clients and provide them with honest advice and responsive service.

James is a fourth generation Montanan and lifelong resident of this beautiful state. He has dedicated his career to representing everyday people against the oppression of the powerful, whether that be the government, big corporations, insurance companies, or others who seek to take advantage of hard working Montanans.. James obtained both his bachelor’s degree in philosophy (2011) and law degree (2016) from the University of Montana. In law school, he: served the Montana Law Review as a staff editor for one year and the intake editor for another year; clerked for Montana District Court Judge Russel Fagg in Billings for a summer; and completed his clinical experience representing indigent criminal defendants in Missoula. After law school, James clerked for United States District Court Judge Sam Haddon in Helena for one year. He then briefly served as a public defender in Helena before accepting his (then) dream job at Meyer, Shaffer & Stepans in Missoula, where for 6 years he represented individuals in Montana and Wyoming in areas such as oil field accidents, civil rights, sexual assaults, employment disputes, and contract disputes.. Now, James is excited to open his own solo practice based in Missoula. He brings a diverse array of experience from both within the courts and in front of them, from multi-million dollar, high profile federal cases to minor misdemeanor criminal cases in city courts. James understands that regardless of how relatively big or small your legal issue is, it is likely one of the most important, confusing, and stressful aspects of your life. He accordingly approaches every case with compassion, honestly, and a dedication to demystifying the legal system for his clients, all while achieving the best results possible. Unlike many lawyers that treat their clients like merely a means to getting paid, here you will be treated with the respect, kindness, and dignity you deserve.

Brian has a diverse practice now focused primarily on both criminal and civil litigation. Brian also has significant experience representing clients in divorces and parenting actions. Brian has litigated cases from Western Montana to the far reaches of Eastern Montana and has tried numerous cases to verdict, including cases involving personal injury, highway construction, property disputes, and criminal prosecutions.. Brian earned his undergraduate degree in 2010 at Dickinson State University and his law degree from The University of Montana School of Law in 2013. He is a member of the Western Montana Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

David Maldonado has successfully defended numerous clients charged with DUI, Drug Offenses, and multiple other criminal charges.  He is the founder and owner of Maldonado Law, PLLC which maintains two offices: Missoula and Butte, MT.  He maintains an active personal injury caseload representing people on first and third party insurance claims for those individuals that suffered bodily injury as the result of car crashes.  Additionally, David maintains an appellate practice and a limited family law practice. With multiple jury trials and appeals, David has the experience, ability, and skill to be a strong advocate for his clients.

Miva VanEngen is a Montana native.  She has a passion for helping others in a time of crises and rises to the occassion when met with adversity.

Brian Smith is a 1997 graduate of the University of Montana School of Law. He was initially admitted to the North Dakota and Minnesota State Bars in 1997 and admitted in Montana in 1998. (Two bar exams at a time was enough.) He did not keep North Dakota and Minnesota Bar licenses but is admitted in all State and Federal Courts in Montana. In the over twenty years that Brian has been in practice he has spent about half the time in private practice and the other half in the trenches as a full time public defender, both for the State of Montana and the County of Missoula. He is a member of the Federal Criminal Justice Act panel.. Brian is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and the National Association for Public Defense. He is a Trustee/Officer for the State Bar of Montana and a member of the State Bar Technology Committee.  The Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers named him co-Lawyer of the Year in 2014.. Brian is currently working for the Montana Office of the State Public Defender as the Public Defender Division Administrator.