David R. Paoli

David R. Paoli, a native of Great Falls, Montana, graduated from Charles M. Russell High School prior to attending the University of Montana. He played noseguard for the Grizzlies as he put himself through college on a football scholarship. He earned a Bachelor degree with honors in Political Science with an emphasis in Business Administration. During law school, David was a member of the Board of Regents of the Montana University System. After graduating with honors in 1986 from the University of Montana School of Law, he was a law clerk to Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, United States District Court, District of Montana. While working for Judge Shanstrom, he served on the Montana Human Rights Commission.

After practicing personal injury law in Billings for three years, David began his own plaintiffs' civil litigation practice in 1992. He moved his offices to Missoula in 1993. He has represented individuals and small businesses from across the state of Montana in cases involving FELA, personal injuries, insurance bad faith, products liability (automobile manufacturer, medical devices, prescription drugs, etc.), medical negligence, and bank bad faith. David was elected to the Montana Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA) Board of Directors in 1990 and served as MTLA president in 1999-2000. He was the 1992 Recipient of the MTLA Public Service Award. He is a sustaining member of both the MTLA and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and is Designated Legal Counsel to the United Transportation Union.

David has previously served as Chairman of the United States Magistrate Judge Selection Committee. He is a member of Rotary International and serves on the National Advisory Board for Grizzly Athletics.

David and his wife, Monica, have two children, Isabell ("Bella") and Angelo ("Nino"). When his work and family obligations permit, he enjoys spending time fly fishing Montana's great rivers and streams, bird hunting, and cooking gourmet, Italian meals to raise money for his favorite charities.

Heather M. Latino

Heather M. Latino was born and raised along the banks of the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers in Western Montana.  Heather attended high school at Beaverhead County High School in Dillon, Montana, a short bus ride from the ranch where she grew up.  She then attended the University of Montana where she received both her Bachelor and Juris Doctorate degrees with honors.  During law school, she was an editor of the Montana Law Review and completed her clinical training with the Criminal Defense Clinic.  Heather has practiced with David Paoli since graduating from law school.  Her practice focuses on plaintiffs' civil litigation and representing children in litigation.  Heather is on the Board of Directors for the Montana Trial Lawyers Association and chairs their Public Service Committee.  She is also on the Board of Directors for CASA of Missoula, a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who serve as advocates for children who are abused or neglected and have been brought to the attention of the 4th Judicial District Court.  She is a current member of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice.  She enjoys spending her free time with her family, running, skiing, and at the Farmer's Market in Missoula.me

John A. Kutzman

John A. Kutzman finished high school in Bozeman when his father returned home after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. He attended the University of Montana where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in political science in 1987. In 1991 he received his law degree with honors from the University of Montana School of Law. Following law school he clerked for the Hon. Terry N. Trieweiler of the Montana Supreme Court. From 1992 through 1997 his practice emphasized representing injured railroaders under the Federal Employers Liability Act in Helena, Montana. It also included representing the victims of medical negligence, defective products, and insurance company bad faith. In 1997 he moved to Great Falls to be closer to his future wife, Jean. From 1997 through 2005 his practice emphasized the defense of civil lawsuits, first with Dorsey and Whitney LLP and then as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Montana. In his spare time he enjoys Grizzly football, hiking, sailing, and playing trumpet in the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra.

Staff

Melany Imes is an office manager/legal assistant who has been with Paoli, Latino & Kutzman, P.C. since 2004. She graduated from St. Regis High School in St. Regis, Montana in 2000. In May of 2004, she graduated from the University of Montana with her B.S. in Business Administration, emphasizing in management. She has taken courses in Business Law and Real Estate Law. In 2004, she attended the Medical Records Management for Montana Paralegals conference and she attended the Montana Trial Lawyers Association Paralegal Seminars in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, Melany assisted with the preparation and trial defense of Demetrius Joslin against charges of deliberate homicide. The jury acquitted Mr. Joslin of all charges following the trial.  In addition to her work, Melany enjoys scrapbooking, photography, camping, road trips, Harley rides with her husband, and spending time with her family, especially her husband and daughter.

Katie Michel, a Great Falls native, is a front desk assistant/receptionist with Paoli, Latino & Kutzman, P.C. She graduated from C. M. Russell High School in 2004, and in 2008 she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in print journalism with a minor in political science at the University of Montana. She has written for the University’s school newspaper, the Montana Kaimin, and has also interned with the Great Falls Tribune. In her spare time, Katie likes to read and watch the news, go to any type of Griz game, spend time with her family and friends, and help out her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma where she is a member of the House Board.

Becky Murphy has been a legal assistant for Paoli, Latino & Kutzman, P.C. since July of 2004. Becky was born in Minnesota and moved to Montana when she was a young girl. Becky graduated from Sentinel High School in 2002 and attended the University of Montana for one year. Becky attended a family law workshop in the fall of 2004 and looks forward to attending more paralegal seminars and workshops in the future. In her free time Becky enjoys reading (especially Harry Potter), coaching her little brother's basketball team, and spending time with her friends, family and two Labrador puppies.

Ashley Clark has been a legal assistant with Paoli, Latino & Kutzman, P.C. since July of 2008. She was born in Arizona and moved to Havre, Montana when she was 16. She graduated from Havre High School in 2005. In May of 2007 she graduated from the University of Montana, College of Technology with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies. Ashley looks forward to attending seminars and workshops to expand her knowledge and find better and faster ways to help the firm’s clients. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys boating, riding four wheelers, and spending time with family and friends.

Philip Shadwick is a legal intern who joined Paoli, Latino & Kutzman, P.C. in 2009. After attending the University of Texas at Austin, he began a career with Farmers Insurance Group. Shad has experience in property and casualty claims, commercial underwriting and personal lines underwriting. In 2007 he began law school at the University of Montana. He has worked as a legal intern for the United States Attorney’s Office and serves as a hearing officer for the Missoula Housing Authority. Shad will finish his law degree in May of 2010. Outside of work and school, Shad enjoys spending time with his family as well as fly fishing, running and camping.

Vinnie Pavlish is a law clerk for Paoli, Latino & Kutzman. He is currently attending his third year at the University of Montana School of Law and expects to graduate in 2009. Vinnie was born in Great Falls but grew up in Billings, Montana. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 2002 and attended the University of Montana, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in political science and with minors in history, philosophy, and Japanese in 2006. While at the University of Montana he was active with the student union as a Senator, Vice-President, and Business Manager of ASUM. He is active in politics outside of work and co-founded Forward MT, a political non-profit devoted to engaging young people in politics. Apart from that, he spends much of his time outdoors, biking, backpacking, and enjoying the Montana wilds.