Erica R. Grinde

Bio

Erica Grinde is a third generation Montanan growing up on the shores of Flathead Lake near Polson, Montana. Upon high school graduation, Erica left the fresh mountain lake waters for the”Land of 10,000 Lakes” earning her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Economics from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Following college graduation, Erica spent a year in Hawaii “thawing out” from her Midwest experience. She returned to Montana in 2005 earning her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Montana School of Law in 2008.

Prior to joining BKBH as an associate in August 2008, Erica served a clinical law clerk for U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy. She also interned for a local defense firm where she primarily worked in the area of FELA defense litigation. She is admitted to practice in the Montana Supreme Court, Montana State District Courts, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana. She has also been admitted pro hac vice in the Blackfeet Tribal Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.  She was recently named a “Star of the Quarter”, Fall 2011 by the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division. Erica’s principal areas of practice include: General Civil Litigation, Medical Malpractice Defense, Employment Defense, FELA Defense, Alcoholic Beverages and Gaming Regulation, Insurance Defense, Administrative Proceedings, Health Care Law, and Family Law.

Erica is located in the firm’s Missoula office. She is engaged to Jeremy LaPorte, a Missoula Sentinel high school teacher and wrestling coach. When she is not supporting Jeremy at one of the many high school wrestling events, she enjoys running, hiking, boating, downhill skiing, playing soccer and supporting Montana Grizzly football.

Representative Matters

• Successfully represented liquor license applicant before the Department of Revenue in a hearing initiated by protests to the application of transfer of ownership and location of an all-beverages liquor license. 

• As co-counsel, successfully defended Montana healthcare institution before Montana Department of Labor and Industry in a discrimination claim.

• As co-counsel, obtained favorable settlement for plaintiff in a constitutional rights claim following summary judgment briefing and oral argument.

• Defeated summary judgment motion brought by Plaintiff in FELA matter requesting Court prohibit defendant railroad’s affirmative defense of contributory negligence.

• Received favorable rulings on pretrial motions as co-counsel in complex medical/employment action that settled favorably on the second day of trial.

• Successfully represented insurers in subrogation claims.

• Successfully assisted Montana companies obtain alcoholic beverage licenses and gambling licenses from the Montana Department of Revenue and the Montana Department of Justice.

• Assisted Montana physician obtain dismissal of complaint before the Montana Board of Medical Examiners.

• Obtained dismissal of Montana Board of Pharmacy complaint representing national drug distributor.

• Assisted family law clients in reaching agreements regarding parenting and marital property.

Professional Experience

BROWNING, KALECZYC, BERRY & HOVEN, P.C.
Missoula, Montana
Associate August 2008 – present

Areas of Practice: General Civil Litigation, Medical Malpractice Defense, Employment Defense, FELA Defense, Alcoholic Beverages and Gaming Regulation, Insurance Defense, Administrative Proceedings, Health Care Law, and Family Law

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
Missoula, Montana
Intern for Judge Donald Molloy January 2008 - May 2008
Researched legal issues and drafted and submitted research memorandums to the judge.

BEAL LAW FIRM
Missoula, Montana
Legal Intern January 2008 - May 2008
Responsibilities included researching legal issues concerning railroad defense and construction defense, drafting legal memorandums, drafting discovery, pleadings and supporting briefs, and assisting in trial preparation.

UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA SCHOOL OF LAW - ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAM
Missoula, Montana
Civil Procedure Teaching Assistant August 2006-May 2008
Responsibilities included preparing and teaching weekly review sessions, assisting in the development of academic support workshops, and offering tutoring sessions for individual students.

PHILLIPS, BOHYER & HEDGER, P.C.
Missoula, Montana
Legal Intern May 2006-January 2008
Responsibilities included legal research focused on insurance defense and railroad defense, drafting legal memorandums, pleadings, and supporting briefs.