Montana Lawyer April/May 2025

MEMBER NEWS

free time, Aimee enjoys being active in Montana’s outdoors and is a coach at Seven Devils CrossFit. She has had her work in the field of oceans law and regulation published. McFarland Molloy & Duerk announces New Partner and Name Change. McFarland Molloy & Duerk announces that Peter F. Lacny has joined the firm as a partner. Reflecting this addition, the firm will now practice under the name McFarland Molloy Lacny & Duerk. Peter brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING MEMBER NEWS The Montana Lawyer welcomes news from mem bers including announcements of new positions, ad vancements, honors, appointments and publications. There is no charge for Member News submissions. If you have news you would like to submit to the Member News section, you can email it to montanala wyer@montanabar.org. Please direct any questions to the same address. We will include firm name, location, the change that is being announced, attorney’s name, law school, practice areas, and a high-resolution photo.

CAREER MOVES Jackson, Murdo & Grant, P.C., based in Helena,

welcomes Kris Goss as Of Counsel. Kris focuses on ac countable and transparent govern ment through compliance with open meetings and public records laws. In addition to his work with JMG, he is the Director of Library Learning Hub at Helena College.

Kris has also served as a law clerk in the chambers of the Honorable Sam E. Haddon in the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Prior to law school, Kris worked as the Governor’s K-12 Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director in the administra tion of Governor Judy Martz. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Trust for Montana Libraries. Kris was raised in Richland County and graduated from Sidney High School. Jackson, Murdo & Grant, P.C., based in Helena, welcomes Brittney Kuntz as an associate. Brittney

was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. After high school, Brittney attended the University of Montana where she received her Bachelor’s in Communication Studies and Political Science. Prior to attending law school, Brittney gained valuable

to the team. His broad litigation practice includes high-stakes criminal defense in both federal and state courts, plain tiff’s personal injury cases, and com mercial litigation. Peter has obtained acquittals for clients in federal and state courts and handles appeals before the

public policy experience working for the State of Montana in the Governor’s Office and Department of Public Health and Human Services. In 2022, Brittney earned her Master’s in Public Administration and Juris Doctor from the University of Montana. Brittney is admitted to practice law in Montana state court and the United States District Court of the District of Montana. Jackson, Murdo & Grant, P.C., based in Helena, welcomes Aimee Hawkaluk also as an associate.

Montana Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is also a proud member of the District of Montana’s Criminal Justice Act Panel, a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference (2023-2026), and a member of the Ninth Circuit’s Standing Committee on Federal Public Defenders. (2024-2026). For more information, please visit: www.MissoulaLawyers.com. O’Brien Hatfield, PA announces Montana office location. O’Brien Hatfield, PA announces a new office location in Missoula, Montana. Attorney Mark J. O’Brien,

After earning her undergraduate degree in International Studies from Virginia Tech in 2009, Aimee earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia in 2012. Aimee is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, all State of Montana courts, and the U.S.

managing partner, previously opened an office in Whitefish, Montana in 2023 and also has offices in Florida, Massachusetts, and California. O’Brien Hatfield, PA prac tices criminal defense in state court, federal court, and appellate court. A member of the Montana Bar, the Florida Bar, and the Massachusetts Bar, Mark has nearly 30

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to joining JMG, Aimee practiced law at the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Montana Public Service Commission, and the Helena City Attorney’s office. She has experience in diverse areas of civil, criminal, and administrative law. These include practicing before administrative boards, prosecuting cases, advising governmental entities, land and water use, property law, employment law, business regulation, and utility law. In addition to practicing law, Aimee serves on the Board of Directors for Exploration Works and is a Board Member of the Helena Society of Human Resource Management. In her

years experience with criminal matters. After starting his ca reer as a prosecutor in Miami, Florida, Mark has become one of the most sought after federal criminal practitioners in the country. Mark welcomes attorney referrals and will compen sate in accordance with the rules of the bar of the attorney’s home state.

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