Thiel Law Office, PLLC
CURRICULUM VITAE
MATTHEW B. THIEL
Thiel Law Office, PLLC
327 West Pine Street / P.O. Box 8125
Missoula, MT 59807
(406) 543-1550
Email: matt@thiellaw.com
EDUCATION
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Juris Doctor with honors
University of Montana, 1993
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Montana Law Review
Staff Member, 1991-1992
Associate Editor, Winter Edition 1993
Editor-In-Chief, Spring Edition 1993
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Awards
Justin Miller Award for best student contribution to the Montana Law Review.
Scribes Award for the outstanding member of the Montana Law Review.
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B.A., Political Science with honors, Minor in Economics
University of Montana, 1986
Phi Eta Sigma (national honorary)
EMPLOYMENT
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Montana Federation of Teachers, AFT, AFL-CIO from 1987 to 1990.
Private law practice from 1993 to 1995.
Owner and partner in the firm of Smith & Thiel from 1995 to 2006.
Owner of Thiel Law Office, PLLC since 2006.
PUBLICATIONS
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Defining Appropriate Criteria for the Public Employee Strike Injunction in Montana, 53 Mont. L. Rev. 317 (1992).
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Co-Author Adjusting the Automobile Injury Claim in Montana, Published by NBI, 2000.
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COURTS and ORGANIZATIONS
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Admitted to the Montana Courts, U.S. District Court, District of Montana, and U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit.
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Member State Bar of Montana, American Bar Association, ABA Labor Law Section, Montana Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice.
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First United Methodist Church Trustee 2003-2007.
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Board of Directors, Missoula Humane Society 2002-2006.
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Montana Facility Finance Authority, 2008 to 2023 (Appointed by Governor).
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Montana Insurance Guarantee Association, 2008 to 2019 (Appointed by State Auditor).
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State Bar of Montana Delegation to Cuba, February 2012.
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Board of Trustees, State Bar of Montana; Chair of Board 2012-2014; President 2015‑2016.
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American Bar Association Standing Committee on Membership, 2018-2021.
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Montana Museum of Art and Culture Collections Committee, 2018 to 2024.
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American Bar Association Membership Committee, 2022 to present.
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American Bar Association Montana Delegate, 2023 to present.
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American Bar Association Nominating Committee, 2023 to present.
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Western States Bar Conference; 2024 President.
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Listed in “The Best Lawyers in America,” 2012-2024.
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SEMINARS TAUGHT
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Elder Law Issues, State Bar of Montana, October 25, 1995.
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Legal Issues for Chiropractors, Missoula, 1998.
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Strategies for Handling Low Impact Connective Tissue Auto Cases, Montana Trial Lawyers Association, Co-Chair, October 20, 2000.
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Adjusting the Automobile Injury Claim in Montana, National Business Institute, November 28, 2000.
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Handling the Automobile Injury Claim in Montana: Considerations for the Legal Support Professional, April 26, 2002.
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Preparing for Arbitration, AFSCME Montana Council 9 State Convention, May 12, 2002.
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Focus on Negotiations, Effective Strategies, AFSCME Montana Council 9 Convention, May 2, 2004.
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Probate, Estate and Guardianship, Montana Association of Legal Assistants (MALA) sponsored CLA (Certified Legal Assistant) Short Course Review
Seminar, March 8, 2007.
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Your Local Union: Increasing Effectiveness and Unity, AFSCME Montana Council 9 Convention, April 21, 2007.
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Estates & Trusts, Montana Association of Legal Assistants (MALA) sponsored CLA (Certified Legal Assistant) Short Course Review Seminar, March 6,
2009.
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Fundamentals of Employment Law: Labor Law, Sterling Education Services, Missoula, March 4, 2010.
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UFCW Local 4, Steward Training, Butte, February 28, 2011.
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32nd Annual Montana Labor Relations Conference, Great Falls, September 21, 2011.
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Grievance Case Preparation from the Union Perspective and the Duty of Fair Representation, AFSCME Montana Council 9, June 21, 2013.
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National Labor Law Update and Its Foundations in Butte Montana, Jackrabbit Bar Conference, Butte, June 1, 2019.
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Law Practice Bootcamp; Starting a Law Firm Panel Discussion, State Bar of Montana and Montana Legal Services Association, 2020-2022.
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Annual Montana Labor Relations Conference, Montana Arbitrators Association, Presenter, 2005-2023.
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EXPERT TESTIMONY
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Milltown Addition Homeowners Assoc. v. Geery, Mont. Fourth Judicial Dist. Court, Cause No. 85367, July 19, 1999 (Reasonableness of Attorney Fee
Award).
Bargas v. Blakely, Fee Arbitration Panel, June 22, 2000 (Contingent Fee Dispute).
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Spooner v. Maner, Mont. Fourth Judicial Dist. Court, May 23, 2003 (Reasonableness of Costs and Hourly Fee Bill).
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Tripp v. Jeld-Wen, Inc., Mont. Fourth Judicial Dist. Court, 2003 (Reasonableness of Costs and Hourly Fee Bill).
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Ward v. Laursen, Mont. Fourth Judicial Dist. Court, April 3, 2006 (Reasonableness of Costs and Hourly Fee Bill).
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GMAC v. Wilber, Mont. Fourth Judicial Dist. Court, September 24, 2007 (Reasonableness of Costs and Hourly Fee Bill).
PUBLISHED OR REPORTED CASES
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Manning v. DPPHS and Gerard, Montana First Judicial District Court BDV-2024-38 (9/12/24) (Mont. Law Week 9/21/24).
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B.M., An Adult Female, et al. v. The Boy Scouts of America, Montana First Judicial District Court CDV-2011-782, 8/15/12 (Mont. Law Week 9/14/13).
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Jacobson Ranch v. Dix, MSF, and UEF, 2011-2770 10/5/12 (Mont. Law Week 10/20/12).
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Estate of Wilcock, Mont. Law Week (11/19/11)
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Mercer (Union Square Apartments) v. McGee, 2008 MT 374, 346 Mont. 484, 197 P.3d 961.
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In Re Estate of Wilcock, 2007 MT 313, 175 P.3d 305.
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Hunter v. Hartford Ins., 2006-1734 3/19/07, Mont. Law Week (3/31/07).
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Shott (Conservator for Cheff) v. Blattner & Sons, Mont. Law Week (11/25/06).
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St. Peter & Warren, P.C. v. Purdom & Tenenbaum, 2006 MT 172, 333 Mont 9, 140 P.3d 478.
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D.H. Blattner & Sons v. Henson, Mont. Law Week (9/11/04).
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Valley Christian School v. Montana High School Ass’n, 2004 MT 41, 320 Mont. 81, 86 P.3d 554.
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In the Matter of Arbitration between State of Mont., Dept. of Transportation and AFSCME, 28-2000 (C. Snow) 2000 BNA LA Supp. 118190.
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Reese v. Winter Sports Inc., 31 MFR 1, Mont. Law Week (4/19/03).
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State v. Houlihan, Mont. Law Week (10/2/99).
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Stormont v. National Union Fire Ins. and Constitution State Services, Mont. Law Week (5/1/99).
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State v. Greenup, Mont. Law Week (6/15/96).