Amanda G. Hunter

Member

Amanda Hunter is a civil litigator with a practice focused on business disputes, employment discrimination, premises liability, insurance defense, and transportation.  Ms. Hunter defends individuals, companies, and insurers in state and federal courts throughout Montana and Wyoming

Ms. Hunter graduated summa cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law and received CALI Excellence of the Future Awards for Legal Research & Writing and Law & Religion.  While in law school, she served as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Maryann Moreno at the Spokane Superior Court, was a student Intern at Gonzaga’s Elder Clinic, and a law clerk at a civil defense firm.  She also competed on Gonzaga’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) moot court team and served as an Articles Editor for the Gonzaga Journal of International Law.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 2019
  • Wyoming, 2021
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming

Location

Billings Office

175 North 27th Street
Suite 1101
Billings, MT 59101

Education

JD: Gonzaga University School of Law, 2019, summa cum laude
BA: Rocky Mountain College, 2013, Political Science, History, and Sociology, summa cum laude

Contact

huntera@hallevans.com

More About
Amanda

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Pro Bono Service Award, Yellowstone Area Bar Association, 2023
Other Activities
  • In her free time, Amanda enjoys cycling, spending time with her nieces and nephew, and defending her nearly unblemished record in Rummikub and Sequence.

T. Thomas Singer

Of Counsel

Tom Singer was raised in northern Wyoming and educated in Montana and Massachusetts.  After law school, he returned west, where he worked for the Wyoming Legislature, managed a congressional campaign in eastern Washington, and taught at Gonzaga Law School before settling in Billings.  For the last 35 years, Tom has been defending transportation companies and product manufacturers, and counseling and representing businesses and individuals through employment and business litigation.

Tom speaks regularly at seminars hosted by the International Association of Defense Counsel, the State Bar of Montana, and other organizations.  He is known for incorporating game theory, neuroscientific research, and karaoke into presentations about legal ethics and trial advocacy, and he also enjoys expostulating about employment law, covenants not to compete, product liability, and civil procedure.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 1985
  • Wyoming, 1978
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Location

Billings Office

175 North 27th Street
Suite 1101
Billings, MT 59101

Education

JD: Harvard University Law School, 1978, cum laude
BA: Eastern Montana College, 1975, Speech Communications and Theater Arts
AA: Northwest College, 1973, Communications

Contact

singert@hallevans.com

More About
Thomas

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Chambers USA, Labor & Employment, 2021-2023
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • The Best Lawyers in America®; Employment Law-Management; Litigation-Labor and Employment; Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, 2008-2025
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation, 2008-2024
  • Best Lawyers®, “Lawyer of The Year” in Billings, MT for Employment Law-Management, 2022
  • Best Lawyers®, “Lawyer of The Year” in Billings, MT for Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, 2016, 2019
  • Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2008-present; Barrister, Order of Juris; Advocate, Order of Certus
  • George L. Bousilman Professionalism Award, State Bar of Montana, 2002
Professional Associations
  • International Association of Defense Counsel, 1999-present
  • State Bar of Montana, Professionalism Committee, 1992-present; Chair 1998-2004
Business & Community Service
  • Riverstone Health Clinic Board of Directors, 2010-present; Chair, 2018-2021
  • Billings Symphony Artistic Advisory Committee, Chair, 2005-present
  • Billings Symphony’s “Concert Cues,” Host, 2015-present
  • Northwest College Alumni Association, Board Member, 1996-present; Chair, 2017-2019
  • Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Former Director
  • Billings Depot, Inc., Former Director
  • Billings Preservation Society, Former Director
  • Red Lodge Music Festival, Former Director
  • NAMI-Billings, Former Director
  • Tumbleweed Runaway Program, Former Director
  • Billings Studio Theatre, Former Director
Other Activities
  • In his spare time, Tom likes to read, hike, ride bikes, paddle rivers, act in community theatre productions, play guitar, and sing with the Symphony Chorale and other ensembles. He lives in Billings with his wife, a retired school psychologist and transition coach. They have four grown children and four grandchildren.
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Presenter, “Ain’t It a Shame (How Discrimination Law Perpetuates Inequality),” ALFA International’s Virtual International Client Seminar, March 2021
  • Presenter, “It’s How You Tell the Tale,” ALFA International Webinar, July 2020
  • Speaker, “Condemned if You Do, Doomed if You Don’t – Advocating in the Age of Social Media,” ALFA International’s 2020 International Client Seminar, March 2020
  • Speaker, “Safe Spaces at Work: Bullying, Intimidation, Firearms, and Threats of Violence,” The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2019
  • Program Chair, “The Game Is On: Are You In?  You Have to Play or You’ll Never Win,” ALFA International’s 2019 International Client Seminar, March 2019
  • Moderator and Presenter at dozens of interactive seminars addressing issues of ethics and professionalism through the State Bar of Montana’s Professionalism Committee, January 1996 through May 2018
  • Speaker, “Championship: Rights, Fights, and Popular Opinion,” ALFA International’s 2018 International Client Seminar, March 2018
  • Speaker, “Loyalty Has Limits,” The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2017
  • Speaker, “Teaching a Lawyer to Fish: The Karaoke Session,” ALFA International’s 2017 International Client Seminar, March 2017
  • Speaker, “What the Heck Happened?,” ALFA International’s 2016 International Client Seminar, March 2016
  • Speaker, “Creating an International Practice No Matter Where You Are,” Annual Business Meeting, ALFA International’s Annual Business Meeting, October 2015
  • Speaker, “Tribalism in the Courtroom: What Lawyers Need to Learn from Neuroscience about Bias, Loyalty, and the Behavior of Groups,” State Bar of Montana, January 2015; ALFA International’s 2015 International Client Seminar, ALFA International, March 2015; The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2015
  • Speaker, “How and Where Your Business Can Be Sued in the U.S.,” ALFA International’s Asia Regional Seminar with Product Liability and IP/IT, May 2014
  • Speaker, “Honesty is Such a Lovely Word:  Is It Too Much to Ask?,” State Bar of Montana, January 2014; ALFA International’s 2014 International Client Seminar, January 2014
  • Speaker, “Protecting Rights or Picking Fights:  What Should Lawyers Really Be Doing for Their Clients?,” ALFA International’s 2013 International Client Seminar, March 2013
  • Speaker, “Implicit Bias,” The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2012
  • Speaker, “Non-Competes and Other Baggage of Relationships Past,” State Bar of Montana’s Beat the Deadline CLE, May 2011
  • Speaker, “Strategies for Working with Evidence at Trial and Attacking Opposing Evidence,” NBI’s Evidence and Expert Testimony Best Practices Seminar, February 2011
  • Speaker, “FLSA and Wage and Hour Issues and Non-Competes and Other Post-Employment Obligations,” Lorman’s Employment Law From A to Z Seminar, January 2011
  • Speaker, “Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality,” The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2009
  • Speaker, “Post-Courtal Separation Anxieties:  What Can Go Wrong After the Verdict Is In,” State Bar of Montana, January 2009
  • Author, “To Tell the Truth, Memory Isn’t That Good,” 63 Montana Law Review 337, 2002
  • Speaker and Mentor on Trial Skills and Legal Ethics, International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy, July 2001
  • Speaker, “Appellate Brief Writing,” State Bar of Montana, October 1989
  • Author, “Reappraising Reapportionment,” 22 Gonzaga Law Review 527, 1988
Blog Posts About Tom

Jill M. Gerdrum

Member

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, insurers, and national retailers in matters involving serious personal injuries and fatalities.

Jill is often called upon for early accident scene investigations and serves as an independent investigator for entities facing potential claims. She has successfully defended companies and individuals at the administrative level, and at the trial and appellate levels throughout state and federal courts in Montana.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 2006
  • Idaho, 2022
  • Wyoming, 2022
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Idaho
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Location

Missoula Office
125 Bank Street
Suite 403
Missoula, MT 59802

Education

JD: University of Montana, 2006, High Honors
BA: University of Montana, 1997, Political Science

Contact

gerdrumj@hallevans.com

More About
Jill

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Chambers USA, Labor & Employment, 2019-2023
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • The Best Lawyers in America®; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2020-2025; Commercial Litigation, 2020-2025; Civil Rights Law, 2024-2025; Employment Law – Management, 2024-2025; Personal Injury Litigation –Defendants, 2024-2025; Transportation Law, 2024-2025
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Civil Litigation: Defense, 2017-2024
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers ®, Top 50 Women, 2022-2024
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers ®, Top 100 Lawyers, 2023
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Civil Litigation: Defense, 2014-2016
  • Montana Judicial Standards Commission, appointed by Montana Supreme Court, 2017-present
Professional Experience
  • Partner, Axilon Law Group, PLLC, Missoula, Montana, 2006-2021
  • Clinic Law Clerk, U.S. Magistrate Judge Leif Erickson, Summer 2005
  • Deputy Commissioner of Insurance & Securities, Montana State Auditor, Helena, Montana, 2001-2003
Decisions
  • Barstads v. Albert Burney, Inc., et. al, DV-16-68; DV-16-69;DV-17-12, Montana’s Third Judicial District, Powell County, (order of dismissal and to compel arbitration on behalf of defendant Riverbend Realty)
  • Hathaway v. Zoot Enterprises, Inc., DV-19-809B, Montana Eighteen Judicial District Court (summary judgment and denial of motion for leave to amend for defendant)
  • Janik v. Town of Whitehall et. al., DV-18-01, Montana’s Fifth Judicial District Court, Jefferson County (summary judgment for Town clerk)
  • Outland v. Montana Department of Corrections, HRB Case No. 956-2018, (decision for Outland at hearing and on appeal to HRC)
  • Adami v. Nelson, DR-16-199, Montana’s Fourth Judicial District Court, Missoula County (bench trial decision for Adami)
  • Chyatte v. Missoula County, et al., CV-13-174-M-DWM-JCL, U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division; Case No. 16-35046, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (defense verdict on behalf of Missoula County)
  • Scotten v. Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs, DE-1221-16-0087-W-1, United States Merit System Protection Board (decision for Scotten on whistleblower protection claim)
  • Frank v. Town of West Yellowstone, CV-15-25-BU-SEH, U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Butte Division; Case No. 16-35218, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (on behalf of Town of West Yellowstone) (summary judgment for Town and order of dismissal for Individual defendants)
  • Orr v. Anaconda Deer Lodge County, CV-14-BU-SEH, U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Butte Division; Case No. 15-35612, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (summary judgment on behalf of Anaconda Deer Lodge County)
Appeals
  • Hathaway v. Zoot Enters., 2021 MT 292, 406 Mont. 239, 2021 Mont. LEXIS 905, 2021 WL 5194919
  • Ramsbacher v. Jim Palmer Trucking, 2018 MT 118, 391 Mont. 298, 417 P.3d 313
  • Adami v. Nelson, 2019 MT 286, 398 Mont. 72, 454 P.3d 642
  • S. Mont. Tel. Co. v. Mont. PSC, Dep’t of Pub. Serv. Regulation, 2017 MT 123
  • TC Fuel Components, LLC v. Mont. Eleventh Judicial Dist. Court, 374 Mont. 540, 346 P.3d 363 (2014)
  • Johnson v. W. Transp., LLC, 2011 MT 13, 359 Mont. 145, 247 P.3d 1094
  • Hilten v. Bragg, 2010 MT 273, 358 Mont. 407, 248 P.3d 282
Professional Associations
  • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, 2015-present
  • Transportation Lawyers Association, 2020-present
  • Trucking Industry Defense Association 2021-present
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Co-Author, “Danger! Danger! Will Robinson:  Are My Warnings Enough? Impact of the “heeding presumption” of on warnings labels and situations in which post-sale warnings may arise,” ALFA International Products Liability & Complex Torts Seminar, 2022
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “Employment Law Update – Return to Work, COVID-19 Issues, & Changes to Montana Law,” Jim Tillotson Service Program for Montana City Attorneys, 2021
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “Navigating the City/Client Landscape under Rule of Prof. Conduct 1.13,” MMIA Defense Counsel Summit, 2020
  • Author and Presenter, “Record Retention, Litigation Holds, and Electronic Discovery: How Employers Can Navigate Rough Waters,” Seminar Group Employment Law Institute, 2020
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “It’s How We Play the Game, Ethical Considerations in Litigation,” ALFA International Client Seminar, 2019
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “Culture is the New Black, The Value of Company Culture and It’s Impact on Litigation,” ALFA International Client Seminar, 2018
  • Author, “The United States Supreme Court’s Recent Personal Jurisdiction Decisions: Federalism and Restriction on Forum Shopping, or a “Parade of Horribles”?,” FDCC Insights, September 2017
  • Author and Presenter, “Workplace Whistleblowers: The Tension Amongst Fairness, Loyalty, & The Motivating Factors of Whistleblowing,” The Seminar Group Employment Law Institute, 2017
  • Author and Presenter, “Representing Your Client in Federal Court, National Business Institute Seminar,” 2015
  • Co-Author, “Transportation Mini Compendium – Montana,” American Trucking Association, 2013
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “When the Party is Over: What do Former Employees and Their Former Employers Owe Each Other,” The Seminar Group, 2012
  • Author and Presenter, “Employment Discrimination Law Issues,” Sterling Education Seminar, Missoula, 2011
  • Co-Author, “Transportation Law Compendium – Montana;” “Insurance Law Compendium – Montana;”“Labor & Employment Law Compendium – Montana,” ALFA International, 2012-2021
  • Co-Author, “Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee’s Guide to Montana’s Complex Law Regarding Joint and Several Liability and Contributory Negligence,” ABA’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 2009
Business & Community Service
  • Montana Legal Services Association, Volunteer, 2020-present
  • Missoula Childcare Resources, Member/Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, 2008-2011
  • Myrna Loy Center-Helena, Member, Board of Directors, 2001-2003
Other Activities
  • Outside of work, Jill can be found running, backpacking, and shuttling her daughters around to all kinds of activities.  She also continues to be involved in her family’s cattle ranch in Grass Range, Montana.
Blog Posts About Jill

Brooke A. Churchman

Member

Brooke Churchman’s practice centers on civil litigation with matters involving transportation, premises liability, gig economy, employment, oil and gas, professional liability, and insurance.  Ms. Churchman recently relocated to Colorado after practicing civil litigation in Austin, Texas.  Before entering private practice, she served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Judge Raymond Moore in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and as Assistant General Counsel with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.

Ms. Churchman graduated with the highest honors from the University of Oklahoma College of Law where she was a Research Editor for the Oklahoma Law Review, and a member of the USD National Criminal Procedure Team and the John J. Gibbons National Moot Court Team.  While earning her degree, Ms. Churchman was awarded the Cole E. Adwon Scholarship for Outstanding Oral Advocacy and received the American Jurisprudence Awards for Torts and Legal Research and Writing.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2019
  • Illinois (inactive), 2015
  • Oklahoma, 2014
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: University of Oklahoma College of Law, 2014, with highest honors
BS: University of Oklahoma, 2010, Zoology, Dean’s Honor Roll

Contact

churchmanb@hallevans.com

More About
Brooke

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • 5280 Magazine, “Top Lawyers,” Transportation, 2024-2025
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Civil Litigation: Defense, 2023-2024
  • NextGen 30 Under 30, 2016
  • Oklahoma Law Review, Research Editor, 2012-2014
  • American Jurisprudence Awards: Torts and Legal Research and Writing, 2011
  • Order of the Solicitors
  • Cole E. Adwon Scholarship for Outstanding Oral Advocacy, 2012-2013
  • Dean’s Fellows Leadership Class
  • Pro Bono Service Award, 2014
Professional Experience
  • Associate, Nix Patterson, LLP, Austin, TX, 2018-2020
  • Law Clerk, Honorable Judge Raymond Moore, U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, Denver, CO, 2017-2018
  • Assistant General Counsel, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma City, OK, 2015-2017
  • Associate, Holden & Carr, Oklahoma City, OK, 2014-2015​
Professional Associations
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association
  • Trucking Industry Defense Association
  • Oklahoma Bar Association
  • Illinois Bar Association
Blog Posts About Brooke

Heather A. Thomas

Member

Heather Thomas is an experienced trial attorney focused on achieving her clients’ goals and objectives for litigation whether it be trying a case to verdict or reaching an early and efficient resolution. Heather began her career working for her father’s construction supply company and now, she represents and defends builders, contractors and design professionals in various construction disputes and litigation.

Heather also worked as field counsel for a Fortune 500 Global Insurance Company where she was one of two attorneys in the Denver office approved to handle and defend clients against high exposure, million-dollar claims, including products liability and catastrophic personal injury claims. As field counsel, Heather appeared on behalf of her clients in courtrooms throughout the State of Colorado, including the U. S. District Court for the District of Colorado. In 2018, Heather served as first chair in a ski collision case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado where the jury determined the plaintiff was 49% at fault for her alleged injuries and damages.

Upon moving to Hall & Evans, Heather’s practice now includes representation of homeowner associations in various commercial disputes. Regardless of the type of case, Heather’s experience now allows her to evaluate and develop strategies early in the representation of her clients to determine how best to garner the most leverage and resolve the case in a manner most optimal for her clients. Early evaluation and case management help Heather to steer her cases to the best possible outcome for the client, whether it be litigation, mediation or settlement.

Heather communicates with her clients often during any case to ensure she understands their concerns and goals, and that they are keenly aware of the status of the matter throughout the litigation. Heather also evaluates the claims against her clients to assist with developing the evidence in a way most helpful in obtaining leverage in any given case whether it be via testimony or motions practice to gain a tactical advantage whether it be for trial or settlement. Heather is a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent® rated attorney who welcomes new challenges and clients to her practice.

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2001

LLM: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2009, Environmental & Natural Resources Law & Policy

BS: Colorado State University, 1995, Natural Resources Management, Minor in Economics

Contact

thomash@hallevans.com

More About
Heather

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Decisions
  • Patricia Klug v. E.B., a minor, 1:14-cv-03185-WYD (D. Colo. 2018)
Appeals
  • Munger v. Farmers Insurance Exchange, 174 P.3d 563 (Colo. App. 2007)
Professional Associations
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
  • Colorado & Denver Bar Associations
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • National Ski Patrol
  • Home Builders Foundation, Board Member, 2013-2020
  • Home Builders Association, Government Affairs Committee, 2013-2016
  • Metro Housing Coalition, Board Member, 2013-2016
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Speaker, “A Perfect Marriage: Resiliency and Insurability,” Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Construction Conference, June 2020
Blog Posts About Heather

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