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 on which 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, criminal defense, and representing children in litigation. Heather is a former president and member of the Board of Directors of the Montana State Bar New Lawyers Section and 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.

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 traveling, photography, scrapbooking, snowmobiling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Megan Mikelsons is a Legal Assistant who has been with Paoli, Latino & Kutzman since June of 2006. She was raised in Missoula, MT. In May of 2002 she graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Psychology. After college, Megan lived in Washington, D.C. for two years where she worked for Senator Max Baucus in his personal office. In her spare time, Megan enjoys long distance running, looking for new artistic/creative challenges (e.g. drawing, painting, etc.), volunteering for local service projects, and spending time with her friends and family.

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.

Anne Yost is a legal assistant who has been with Paoli, Latino & Kutzman, P.C. since July of 2006. She was born and raised on a farm in London, Ohio and graduated from Jonathan Alder High School. In May of 2004, she graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication. Anne played volleyball for the Vikings for four years on a full athletic scholarship. After college, she spent two years living in the Bavarian Alps of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany working for the Department of Defense in various positions at Edelweiss Lodge & Resort. After returning to the States, Anne moved to Missoula to be near friends and mountains. She also works part-time at the YMCA. In her spare time, Anne enjoys spending time with her friends, running, reading, and getting to know Missoula.