Kyle W. Nelson

Bio

Kyle Nelson is a fourth generation Montanan growing up in the logging community of Libby, Montana. Mr. Nelson earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Honors (2006) from the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, and earned his Juris Doctorate (2009) from the University of Montana School of Law in Missoula, Montana.  Mr. Nelson is licensed to practice before the state and federal courts of Montana and Wyoming.  Prior to beginning his undergraduate studies, he served in the United States Marine Corps infantry for four years and was honorably discharged in 2002.

Mr. Nelson is a member of both the Montana and Wyoming State Bar Associations. Mr. Nelson is also admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Montana and Wyoming and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Nelson has represented a number of individuals and non-profit organizations against the U.S. Forest Service advocating for shared access to public lands in NEPA litigation in Montana Federal Courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Nelson’s practice also includes representing clients in diverse complex litigation, including toxic tort, natural gas explosions and other environmental litigation. Mr. Nelson’s principal areas of practice include natural resources and environmental law and litigation.

Mr. Nelson is located at the firm’s Bozeman office.

Representative Matters

• American Legion , et al. v NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Bates, et al. v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Bowman v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Neishabouri, et al. v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Rocking R Bar, et al. v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Montana Trails Gallery, et al. v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2010). Mr. Nelson is on the six attorney team representing NorthWestern Energy in 30 lawsuits filed by approximately 87 claimants arising out the March 2009 natural gas explosion in downtown Bozeman, Montana resulting in one death and the destruction of several downtown businesses.

• Kerfoot, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al. (2008). Mr. Nelson was a member of the three attorney defense team that defended a Montana corporation in this toxic tort and environmental contamination case involving the former Texaco Sunburst Works Refinery in Sunburst, Montana. Obtained a highly favorable settlement prior to trial.

• Mr. Nelson has also represented a number of individuals and non-profit organizations against the U.S. Forest Service advocating for shared access to public lands in complex NEPA litigation in the United States District Court for the District of Montana and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Professional Experience

BROWNING, KALECZYC, BERRY & HOVEN, P.C.
Bozeman, Montana
Associate, September 2009-present
Intern, December 2008-May 2009

Areas of Practice: Natural Resources and Environmental Law and Litigation

MISSOULA COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Missoula, Montana
Clinical Intern, August 2008-May 2009

Responsibilities included the prosecution of criminal and traffic cases, which included charging, investigating, negotiating, interviewing witnesses, and representing the State of Montana in a variety of hearings, jury trials, and bench trials.

PHILLIPS LAW FIRM, P.C.
Missoula, Montana
Intern, May 2007-December 2008

Responsibilities included drafting legal memorandums, motions, supporting briefs, and discovery documents for supervising attorneys in a civil litigation firm focused on insurance defense and railroad defense. Additional duties included legal research, participation in depositions and settlements conferences, and witness interviews.