Zachary D. Wagner

Member

Zachary Wagner’s diverse practice is focused primarily on complex civil litigation involving real estate disputes, contract disputes, premises liability, hospitality & retail, wrongful death, and products liability matters. A large portion of his practice involves counseling individuals, public entities, and private businesses in employment law and constitutional law matters through litigation, appeals, and administrative proceedings. Mr. Wagner is an experienced litigator and has successfully tried many cases to verdict in both state and federal court across Colorado.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2011
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Colorado Law School, 2011
BA: University of Arkansas, 2007, History, summa cum laude

Contact

wagnerz@hallevans.com

More About
Zachary

Resume

Linkedin

Business & Community Service
  • Big, Big Brothers Big Sisters, 2015-present

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

Alexandria L. Bell

Member

Alexandria Bell is an experienced trial attorney focusing on civil defense litigation. For 10 years, she practiced in a regional firm in Chicago, Illinois, where she successfully litigated civil rights and police misconduct cases for the City of Chicago, Chicago Police Department, including numerous federal jury trials. Mrs. Bell’s practice also involved litigating commercial disputes involving issues of breach of contract, trade secrets and protection of business proprietary information. She litigated (nationally) complex design and manufacturing defect product liability matters involving large power tool manufacturers. Defended food suppliers and restaurants in food poisoning cases involving serious permanent injuries. She also managed all aspects of medical malpractice trial litigation defending top Chicago hospitals and their respective doctors and staff.

In November of 2018, Mrs. Bell moved to Colorado, where she continues to litigate claims against public entities and officials and various governing boards related to both tort and constitutional claims in federal and state courts. Mrs. Bell’s general litigation practice continues to encompass defense of commercial, catastrophic personal injury, and construction defect matters.

Mrs. Bell is a member of the American Bar Associations, the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2016
  • Illinois (inactive), 2008
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Location

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

Education

JD: DePaul University College of Law, 2008, Dean’s List
BA: Michigan State University, James Madison College, 2003, International Relations, cum laude

Contact

bella@hallevans.com

More About
Alexandria

Resume

Linkedin

Decisions
  • Brito v. Brown., 20-cv-30024 (Montezuma County, Colo.) (judgment for defendant on motion to dismiss following an evidentiary Trinity hearing)
  • Boulter v. Town of LaSalle, et al., 20-cv-2089-KLM (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion to dismiss)
  • San Agustin v. El Paso Cty. et al., 18-cv-2646-MEH (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion to dismiss)
  • Pizzo v. HGLK, LLC, 18-cv-31783 (Jefferson County, Colo.) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Johnson v. Barnes, et al., 17-cv-2346-MSK-MEH (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion for summary judgment)
  • Janetos v. Fulton Friedman & Gullace, LLP, et al., 12-cv-1473 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (successful class action settlement reached)
  • Thull v. Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd., et al., 11-cv-2368-PAM-LIB (U.S. District Court, D. Minnesota) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Grant-Hall v. Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC, et al., 11-cv-1832 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (class certification denied; judgment for defendants on motion for summary judgment)
  • Cartwright v. City of Chicago, et.al., 09-cv-4298 U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Willis v. Lepine, et al., 09-cv-4208 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Whitehead v. Bond, et al., 09-cv-3765 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Calhoun v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-2200 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Williams v. Dieball, et al., 09-cv-5 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Harris v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-1260 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Jones v. Schulz, et al., 09-cv1136 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Cortez v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-653 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Smith v. Fulton, et al., 09-cv-373 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • GSI Technologies, LLC v. Tyco Electronics Corp. 08-cv-901 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (successful case resolution following filing of a motion for partial summary judgment)
  • Sanchez v. City of Chicago, et al., 08-cv-2735 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
Professional Associations
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • American Bar Association
  • DRI
Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Emerging Lawyers℠, Law Bulletin Media, 2015-2018
Languages
  • Ukrainian
  • Russian
Blog Posts About Alexandria

Lynn Kuznitz

Member

Lynn Kuznitz is a results-oriented attorney who defends her clients in State and Federal courts across the western United States. She has represented clients in a wide range of cases, including minor to catastrophic personal injuries, trucking and automobile accidents, railroad incidents, toxic torts, premises liability, and products liability. She has also represented clients in professional malpractice matters across a variety of disciplines. Lynn is a seasoned trial attorney who has obtained multiple defense verdicts, including at jury trial and through dispositive motions, and is experienced in all phases of litigation.

Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Lynn served as a captured counsel for a large global insurance company where she defended personal injury, property damage, subrogation, construction defect, and malpractice cases in both Colorado and Illinois.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2019
  • Illinois, 2014
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Illinois College of Law, 2014, magna cum laude
BA: University of South Florida, 2011, History, Minor in Classics, magna cum laude

Contact

kuznitzl@hallevans.com

© 2012-2025 Hall & Evans, LLC | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy