Briana E. Kottke

In August of 2008, Briana began law school at the University of Montana School of Law. While attending law school, Briana was a staff member and then an editor on the MONTANA LAW REVIEW. While on the Law Review, Briana, as Symposium Editor, orchestrated a two-day Symposium on the Montana Constitution, which was heralded as one of the best Symposia that the Law Review has held to date. She was a member of the UM Trial Team during her second year and a member of the Criminal Defense Clinic during her third year. Additionally, she was Professor Cynthia Ford’s research assistant in the areas of Evidence and Civil Procedure. Between Briana’s first and second years of law school, she was again selected to work for the United States Senate Committee on Finance, but this time as a law clerk. Between Briana’s second and third years of law school, she worked at the Federal Defenders of Montana where her passion for criminal defense was reaffirmed. After graduating with honors from UM Law in May of 2011, Briana moved to Helena to clerk for Justice Jim Rice of the Montana Supreme Court. After clerking for Justice Rice for a year, Briana was hired at Smith & Stephens P.C. in Missoula as part of its elite criminal defense team. Under the tutelage of John E. Smith and Colin M. Stephens, Briana gained invaluable knowledge in providing excellent and effective criminal defense. Briana and Katy joined forces in June of 2015 to provide high caliber criminal defense and other services. Briana lives with her husband Corby and their pup in Missoula and loves enjoying the fun life and culture Missoula provides.

University of Montana School of Law

J.D. (2011)

2008 - 2011

Honors: Graduated with honors

Activities: Montana Law Review - Symposium Editor Trial Team Research Assistant to Professor Cynthia Ford in Evidence and Civil Procedure

University of Great Falls

B.A. (2006) | Paralegal Studies with minor in Business Administration

2001 - 2006

Honors: High Honors

University of Great Falls

B.A. (2006) | Political Science with minor in History

2001 - 2006

Honors: High Honors

Member

Criminal Section - Montana State Bar

Current

Member

Western Montana Bar Association

Current

Board Member

HSWM Legislative and Advocacy Committee Board of Directors

Current

Admitted to Practice before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Current

Admitted to Practice before Montana State District Courts, the Montana Supreme Court, City and Municipal Courts, Justice Courts

Current

Admitted to Practice before the Federal District Courts for the District of Montana

Current

Member

Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Current

Member

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Current

Member

Montana State Bar

Current

Is the Government in My Pocket - An Overview of Cell Phone Location Tracking

Montana Law Review

2011

Criminal Justice Panel, University of Montana School of Law

Judicial Law Clerk Panel, University of Montana School of Law

Access to Justice Panel, University of Montana School of Law

Lawyer Wellbeing - Guest Speaker, University of Montana School of Law

State Bar of Montana  # 11964

Member

Current

NORML

Member

2017 - Current

Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2011 - Current

National Association Of Criminal Defense Attorneys

2011 - Current

Montana

9th Circuit

Federal Circuit

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