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. In 2011 the Montana Trial Lawyers Association regcongized him as Trial Lawyer of the Year.

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.

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, photography, and playing trumpet in the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra.

Philip Shadwick first worked for the firm as legal intern in 2009, and then joined the firm as an attorney following his graduation from the University of Montana School of Law in 2010. 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. During law school he worked as a legal intern for the United States Attorney’s Office and served as a hearing officer for the Missoula Housing Authority. Outside of work, Shad enjoys spending time with his family as well as fly fishing, running and camping.

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 camping, photography, road trips, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

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.

Brittany Day, an Anchorage, Alaska native, is a receptionist/legal assistant with Paoli Kutzman, P.C. She joined the firm in August of 2011. She graduated from West High School in Anchorage in 2003, and in 2011 she obtained an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. She has worked for two law firms as a billing clerk and an administrative assistant prior to joining Paoli Kutzman. In her spare time, Brittany likes to camp, fish, travel, cook, and spend time with her friends and family, especially her husband and her dog.