Troy L. Bentson

Bio

Troy Bentson was born in Billings, Montana on July 13, 1964. He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Montana State University-Billings and his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1996. During law school, Troy was a legal intern for the Spokane firm, Winston & Cashatt, where he worked extensively on defending a death penalty case and construction litigation matters. Following law school, Mr. Bentson took up residence in Bozeman, Montana, where he has been in private practice since 1997.

Troy joined BKBH as a shareholder in 2008. As a senior attorney in BKBH’s new Bozeman office, Troy represents a wide array of clients in litigation and transactional matters. The focus of his litigation practice is in the areas of real estate, construction, business and insurance subrogation.

In his real estate practice, Troy represents individuals and businesses in wide variety of real estate related transactions and disputes. Real estate clients include buyers, sellers, developers, property managers, landlords, financial institutions, investors, real estate companies, and individual real estate agents. Troy is experienced in all types of commercial transactions, ranging from routine purchase agreements and landlord/tenant issues to complex development issues.

Troy’s civil and commercial litigation practice involves both filing and defending lawsuits brought in the state and federal courts of Montana. He has represented individuals and businesses in a wide array of disputes, including those involving real estate, construction, collection, landlord/tenant, breach of contract, insurance subrogation and many others matters. Troy also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution forums, such as arbitration and mediation.

Troy’s construction legal practice involves working with businesses and individuals involved in the construction industry as owners, general contractors or sub-contractors. He works with his construction clients on the preparation and review of construction contracts. He also manages disputes concerning adequacy of performance and construction lien litigation.

Troy’s business practice involves advising business clients on choosing the appropriate business entity, assist clients in formation of limited liability companies, partnerships, and corporations. He provides legal advice to business clients on ongoing matters such as preparation and upkeep of business records and general legal advice, including contract and debtor/creditor issues, the purchase and sale of the entity or its assets and various other issues faced by small business owners.

Troy is married to Darci McCarthy Bentson, the Director of Quality for Bozeman Deaconess Hospital. Troy and Darci have two young active children.

Representative Matters

• Obtained defense verdict and attorney fee award in favor of client accused of negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract in connection with real estate transaction.

• Obtained defense verdict and attorney fee award in favor of client accused of unlawful detainer in connection with commercial real estate lease.

• Secured dismissal of claim against a National Lending Institution in a lender liability case.

• Successfully represented several insurers in subrogation claims, including a settlement on one case exceeding $375,000.

• Successfully represented client in probate matter resulting in a settlement of $120,000.

• Represented numerous clients in residential and commercial development projects.

• Represented numerous business owners in setting up their companies with a legal entity such as a Limited Liability Company or Corporation including drafting and negotiations of agreements between business owners.

• Assisted business owners in the purchase, sale or merger of their businesses.

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

Professional Experience

BROWNING, KALECZYC, BERRY & HOVEN, P.C.
Helena, Montana

Shareholder, 2008-present
BENTSON LAW OFFICE, P.C.
Bozeman, MT
Attorney/Owner, 2002- 2008

KOMMERS, STEELE & BENTSON,
Bozeman, MT
Associate Attorney, 1999-2002

KIRWAN & BARRETT, P.C.
Bozeman, MT
Associate Attorney, 1997-1999

WINSTON & CASHATT
Spokane, WA
Legal Intern, 1994-1997