Attorneys and Staff

Abby's primary work experience is in sales and retail. During her time as a student she volunteered for the Crow Allottees Association, a Montana non-profit corporation. The opportunity to contribute her time to an important cause regarding the land rights of Indigenous people was gratifying and very enlightening. Her desire to serve others became greater due to that experience as a volunteer, so she is grateful to be a apart of an organization like MLSA that is devoted to helping others. Abby joined our team in 2022 and received her education from Little Big Horn College. She enjoys hiking, yoga, and any activity that helps keep her balanced spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Alexandra House joined MLSA as a Domestic Violence Attorney in 2020. She received her J.D. from Tulane University School of Law where she also received a certificate in International and Comparative Law. While at Tulane, Alexandra worked with the Criminal Justice Clinic where she advocated for clients at various stages of the justice system. She also interned with the Innocence Project, the Bozeman Office of the Public Defender, and Hogan Lovells in Paris. She received her undergraduate degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time she enjoys riding ATV's or cross-country skiing, depending on the season.

Amy Hall is MLSA's supervising attorney for the housing practice group. She also has experience representing domestic violence survivors. She received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. Before coming to MLSA, Ms. Hall worked at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc., primarily in housing and farmworker law. Ms. Hall was recognized by the Montana Justice Foundation as one of its 2014 Champions of Justice, awarded for her extraordinary efforts on behalf of equal justice.

Amy joined MLSA for a two-year Skadden Fellowship in 2023. She received her J.D. from University of California, Berkeley, School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. Before and during law school, Amy gained experience advocating for and representing domestic violence survivors and people experiencing homelessness. After law school, Amy returned to her home state to clerk for Justice Baker on the Montana Supreme Court. As a Skadden Fellow with MLSA, she represents criminalized survivors of domestic violence to address civil fallout from their criminal records. Amy enjoys making regular trips to the Lewis & Clark Library, running Helena's trails and roads, and hosting dinner parties.

Anna Chithelen started at MLSA in 2016 as a Legal Assistant and works with Attorney Beth Hayes in MLSA’s Consumer Law practice group. Prior to working at MLSA, Anna served at the Self-Help Law Center in Billings as an AmeriCorps in the Justice for Montanans program. Anna grew up in New York.

Ashley started with MLSA in 2022 and she received a bachelor's in Sociology from Carroll College. She has a background working with children and families in Montana and held roles working with AWARE, Inc, as well as training and supporting foster families for Child and Family Services. Ashley's personal interests include playing board games, video games, and reading.

Barbara Harris started at MLSA in March 2019 to assist elder Montanans with their civil legal issues. She has over 35 years of experience as an attorney, including many years working statewide as a prosecutor. While Barb uses the technology that is a part of our lives, she gains perspective and solace from being outside. She enjoys hiking, biking, and skiing.

Beth Hayes received her J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2009. Ms. Hayes has previously worked with the Foreclosure Assistance Program, as a Triage Staff Attorney, and as an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Fellow at MLSA. She also currently serves as the Vice President of the Western Montana Bar Association, and plays trumpet in the Missoula City Band and Missoula Community Concert Band.

William joined MLSA in October 2023 as our Agricultural Worker & Housing Attorney. Bill received a B.A. in Art and Speech from Wabash College in Indiana and his J.D. from Willamette University in Oregon. He has spent the last 12 years in private practice focused on complex litigation. Bill loves spending time with his family, hiking, traveling and using his forge to do amateur blacksmithing.

Brenna joined MLSA in the summer of 2022 as a Eviction Prevention Intake Specialist and shortly moved into the Case Navigator role. Brenna previously worked as a Development Intern for the Workers Defense Project in Texas, a state-contracted Provisional Private Investigator for Oregon Investigative Solutions, Inc. in Oregon, and as a paralegal for a private Missoula law firm. Brenna graduated from Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2016. Brenna enjoys sugary coffee, Montana's small towns, quality memes, and the local Missoula arts scene.

Brent Getty joined MLSA in the fall of 2021 after a 14 year career with the Montana Office of the Public Defender, including 9 years as a public defender in the Kalispell office and 5 years as the Deputy Training Coordinator. He also has experience as an appellate lawyer, an insurance regulator, and a professional fundraiser. Brent obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. He lives in Missoula with his wife, their two dogs, and two cats.

Brittany received an Associate of Arts from the Helena College of Technology and has over 5 years experience as an Administrative Specialist. Brittany's professional experience includes coordination of services for clients, Intake processes and general administrative duties. She loves traveling and spending time with family.

Cecilia Yager joined MLSA in 2020. She earned her Business/Accounting associates degree from Helena College of Technology in 2014. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her 2 chiweenies, Frank and May.

Daniel Webster joined MLSA in 2022 after receiving his J.D. and certificate in American Indian Law from University of Montana School of Law. Daniel was a Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic student. Daniel also has a B.A. in Psychology from University of Montana. During law school, from 2020-2021, Daniel served as a Housing Justice intern with MLSA and he worked at MLSA as a Consumer Law Intern. Prior to going to law school, Daniel worked as a case manager for adults with disabling mental illnesses. Additionally, he worked 7 seasons at the U.S. Forest Service in Libby and Kalispell on the timber crew, occasionally working on wildfires. Daniel loves playing and watching basketball and he enjoys spending time with friends and his dog, Beau, in Montana's beautiful outdoors, preferably near water.

Ed Higgins received his J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2000. After earning his law degree, he served as Judicial Staff Attorney to the Honorable John W. Larson. Mr. Higgins has been with MLSA since 2001 and has previously served as a Managing Attorney and Staff Attorney. Mr. Higgins serves as a member of the Board of Directors at the Community Dispute Resolution Center of Missoula. Additionally, he is the Vice Chair of the Western Montana Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, a member of the Missoula County Foster Care Review Board, and a member of the Montana Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission's Committee on Self Represented Litigants. Mr. Higgins also sits on an advisory committee for the Missoula Housing Authority’s Housing Self Sufficiency programs. In 2016, Mr. Higgins received the George L. Bousliman Professionalism Award from the Montana State Bar. The Bousliman award recognizes lawyers who have established a reputation for professionalism and have demonstrated extraordinary professionalism by contributing time and resources to public service, public education, charitable or pro bono activities, and encouraging respect for the law and our legal system by making the legal system more accessible and responsive.

Prior to joining the MLSA team in 2024, Ellie worked at a high school in Colorado both teaching U.S. History and leading backpacking and ski touring expeditions. Eleanor graduated from Hamilton College with a B.A. in American Studies. She loves trail running, practicing yoga, skiing, baking, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Ellen joined MLSA in 2023 and is admitted to Blackfeet Bar. Ellen received her J.D., from the University of Oregon School of Law (graduated Order of the Coif) and a B.A. in History and Economics, University of Montana Davidson Honors College. During law school, Ellen was a fellow in the Public Law and Policy program and the Native Environmental Sovereignty program. She externed for the Honorable U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie Russo, and served as a law clerk at the Federal Public Defender of Oregon. After law school and prior to joining MLSA, Ellen worked at a private firm in Eugene, Oregon. In her free time, she likes to read, cook and try new types of food, trail run, and watch outrageous reality TV.

Ellie joined MLSA in 2020 as the Crime Victim Navigator and has served as MLSA's Pro Bono Coordinator since 2021. In addition, Ellie is a Board Member for the Helena Area Community Foundation, and mentor with the Girls Leadership Program through the Red Ants Pants Foundation.

Emma O’Neil joined MLSA as a Development Associate in 2015. She graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR with a B.A. in History and has previously worked at the Lewis and Clark Library. A Helena native, Emma enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling.

Frances moved to Montana to do a season of trail work in the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness through Montana Conservation Corps in 2022. Then she served with MLSA's Justice for Montanans AmeriCorps program at the YWCA of Missoula, where I later worked as a Case Manager before returning to MLSA early 2024. Other experience includes two stints of political and environmental research in Missoula and DC, an internship at a nurse's union in New York during the height of COVID, and field organizing in Iowa, Utah, and Wyoming in 2020. Frances has a Graduate Certificate in Labor Studies from the University of New York and a BA in Philosophy from the University of Vermont. She loves to cook and bake, read, swim in cold water, go on bike rides, camp, and watch reality TV.

Frankie joined MLSA after serving with the Justice for Montanans AmeriCorps program for the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman. Previously, Frankie interned for Lawyers without Borders in Amman, Jordan and for the United States Senate. She graduated from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA with a degree in Global Environments and Sustainability and History. Frankie loves to hike, ski, read, and run marathons! She also loves to travel and learn about new places and cultures!

Gina Zobenica first joined MLSA in 2017 as a Justice for Montanans AmeriCorps member. After completing two AmeriCorps terms, Gina rejoined MLSA in 2020 as an Intake Specialist and in 2023 she shifted into a legal assistant role for our Montana Health Justice and Medical Legal partnerships. Gina has a BA in History with a Minor from the University of Montana and received her JD from the University of Montana School of Law in 2016. In her free time, Gina enjoys DIY projects, painting, and walks around town.

Hannah worked at St. Peter's Health as an administrative assistant before joining MLSA. She was enjoying being a stay at home mom before she thought it was time to find a job where she could be a positive role model for her daughter and show her what it means to work somewhere helping people and making a difference. Hannah graduated Carroll College in 2022 with a BA in Environmental Science and enjoys hiking, fishing and exploring all over Montana.

Harley Ternes is the JFM AmeriCorps Coordinator for MLSA and she joined the team in March 2020. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Western Washington University in 2014. She is a JFM AmeriCorps alumni and returned to MLSA after spending four years in program management at rural and urban domestic violence and sexual assault victim advocacy organizations in Washington state. In her spare time Harley enjoys knitting, sewing and camping.

Hayden joined MLSA in 2024 following a twenty year career in the hospitality industry starting as a barista/baker and ending as a chef/proprietor. In addition to raising a herd of dairy goats, Hayden spent the last five years working as an advocate for victim/survivors of interpersonal violence and a violence prevention educator. As the proud caretaker of two tireless dogs she spends her free time doing a lot of hiking regardless of the weather.

Heather Olson joined MLSA in 2020. Before joining MLSA, she spent two summers providing free estate planning services to tribal communities during law school; her first summer she spent with the Blackfeet Nation in Montana and the second summer she spent with the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho. She was also a legal intern for the University of Idaho's Immigration Law Clinic where she helped provide free immigration assistance to low income individuals. She received her undergraduate degree from Montana State University in Anthropology and Sociology and received her JD from the University of Idaho College of Law with an emphasis in Native American Law. Heather is also admitted in the Chippewa Cree Tribal Court.

Jacob joined MLSA in 2023. Jacob graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from MSU Northern in 2020 and is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management at Regent University. In 2016, Jacob was elected to the Montana House of Representatives, where he served for four years. In 2019, he started working for Big Sky 55+, a social welfare organization that advocates for the interests of older Montanans. In his free time, Jacob loves to spend time outside. His favorite activities include skiing, backpacking, fishing, and hunting. Jacob also enjoys watching baseball and is a St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Jain received her J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2011. Prior to joining MLSA in 2019, Jain operated her own family law practice in Missoula. Jain embraces the opportunity her position grants her to travel all over that great state of Montana. In her free time Jain enjoys music, fishing, travel, and DIY hands-on projects.

Jill joined the Billings office as a Staff Attorney with the Medical Legal Partnership in January 2024 having previously served with our AmeriCorps Justice for Montanans Project from 2019-2021. Jill graduated from the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law in 2000 and joined the Florida Bar that year. She maintains her license to practice in Florida and Montana. Jill has worked in a variety of legal fields ranging from foreign affairs legislative aide to a U.S. Senator, to legal liaison with an American Bar Association project in Uzbekistan, to county assistant public defender. She also holds a PhD in Political Science (comparative and judicial politics) from Louisiana State University where she taught international law.

Jodi joined MLSA in May 2023 as our Montana Eviction Intervention Program Compliance Specialist. She graduated from North Dakota State University with a BS Sociology. Jodi is a top-performing compliance specialist and advocacy management professional offering 20 plus years of leadership experience with a proven ability to plan, market, and execute events and projects; identify problems and develop solutions; develop, and manage budgets; utilize traditional, and digital marketing for community outreach; and inspire action. Jodi enjoys sports, gardening, and has a fantastic record collection. She has a pit bull-boxer cross, named Blue and a cat named Charlie Chaplin.

Kallie was first hired by MLSA in 2016 at the start of our Montana Health Justice Project (MHJP), originally connecting four health care centers across Montana in partnership with the Montana Primary Care Association in a Medical Legal Partnership. Kallie lead that project for 5 years and then went to work for Indian Law Resource Center on a project of registering Indigenous Lands in Brazil and Peru. Kallie returned to MLSA in 2022 to work with the MHJP and coordinate our Montana Eviction Intervention Project. Kallie has a B.A in History and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan and the University of Texas is where she received her J.D.

Kathryn joined Montana Legal Services Association in 2016. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from Truman State University, graduating magna cum laude. In 2016, she received her J.D. from the University of Iowa, graduating Order of the Coif. During law school she received the Katherine Finn Milleman Memorial Law Award, the Public Interest Law Award, and the Public Interest Law Foundation Grant to support her public interest work at the Montana Innocence Project and Iowa Legal Aid. In 2022, Ms. Van Horn was awarded the Frank I. Haswell award for best contribution to the Montana Lawyer. Prior to becoming the Supervising Attorney for the Tribal Law Practice Group, she worked as a domestic violence attorney in state and tribal court with MLSA, and as a legal intern at the Montana Supreme Court where she worked for Justice Beth Baker on Access to Justice Commission projects. Kate's additional bar memberships include Blackfeet Tribe, Chippewa Cree Tribe, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, Crow Tribe, Fort Belknap Tribe, Fort Peck Tribe, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, United States District Court (Montana), United States Court of Appeals (Ninth), United States Supreme Court. Her favorite team is the Orlando Magic, and her favorite player is LaMelo Ball.

Krista Partridge joined MLSA in 2012. She graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in Political Science. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and gardening.

LaDawn’s professional career began as an Assistant Activity Director in a nursing home in 1983. Since then, LaDawn has worked in healthcare regulation, the home and community-based waiver program, as the Abuse in Late Life Advocate with a domestic violence program. Additionally, she is a Certified Mediator with Elder designation, past president of the Montana Mediation Association, an Elder caring Coordinator, guardian, and AARP Montana Caregiving Consultant. LaDawn started in 2023 and is excited to begin the next chapter of her career. Her passion throughout life has been seniors. LaDawn received a Bachelors Degree in Recreation and Leisure with emphasis on Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Utah. She loves people, crafting and providing service to others. LaDawn is the mother of twin daughters with 4 school age grandchildren all living in Helena, Montana, and they have many adventures together.

Linden joined MLSA in 2022 after eight years as a High School English Teacher, Language Content Lead at Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver, Colorado. She has a BA in Communication Studies and BA in English Teaching - both from The University of Montana. Linden loves to ski, hike, and enjoy live music with her family.

Lowry has worked in advocacy, policy, special education, and research for several scientific, political, and environmental organization before joining MLSA in 2024. Lowry's bachelor's degree is in environmental studies and writing from Middlebury College and she's certified in elementary literacy through Rice University. Lowry loves to hike and find places she hasn't been in this amazing state. She has two rescue dogs and loves all things sourdough bread.

Lukas joined MLSA in 2023. As an undergraduate, Lukas worked at a political tracking company and for the university as a writer. Since 2021, he has worked as a legal assistant and paralegal in New York and Helena, primarily with civil defense. Lukas received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Northeastern University in 2021 and he loves to fly fish in the summer and ski in the winter during the non-working hours.

Madelaine joined MLSA in 2024. She previously worked as a legal assistant at another law firm in Helena and completed a certificate in legal support from Helena College. Madelaine loves cats, music, and NBA basketball.

Madiera joined MLSA team in 2024 after working as a technical consultant in gender-based violence prevention and response within HIV programs at the United States Agency for International Development. Her work at USAID focused on strategic communications, especially within outreach, advocacy, training, and campaign development for global health programs that helped advance gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence. She holds a BA in Religion and Culture, BA in Communication from Virginia Tech and Master's of Science in Development Studies from London School of Economics and Political Science. Madiera is an avid 'crafter' who loves to cross-stitch, knit and read. In her spare time she loves to cook, get outside, and spend time with family.

Melissa Magnuson first joined MLSA in 2016 as a Crime Victim Navigator. She then worked at the Friendship Center in Helena doing case management and advocacy with domestic violence survivors. Melissa now serves as MLSA's Grants Manager. She received her BA in Criminal Justice from Metropolitan State University in St Paul, MN in 2011. She is a Minnesota native and in her free time, Melissa enjoys camping with my family, hiking, and spending time outdoors exploring the beautiful state of Montana.

Missy graduated from Central Washington University in 2018 with a BA in Professional and Creative Writing and a Minor in Women and Gender Studies. Aside from a season with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Missy's past work experience is in the food and beverage industry, primarily bar-tending. She's excited to be able to apply her passion for helping and connecting with others toward a new career path. Missy loves to read, write, listen to music and spend time outdoors, especially with friends and her dog.

Monique is the Supervising Attorney of MLSA's statewide Domestic Violence Practice Group. She joined the Billings office in June 2020 after having previously worked in the area of insurance defense and bad faith litigation at a private firm for a little over twelve years. Monique graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 2007 and joined the Montana Bar that year. She later took the Wyoming Bar and maintains her license to practice in both Montana and Wyoming. Monique has previously served as a Trustee for the Montana Bar Association and focuses her present work in the area of domestic violence. Monique is also admitted in Northern Cheyenne Tribal Court.

Rebecca joined MLSA in 2023 and graduated in 2018 from Rogers State University in Oklahoma with her Associates in Business Administration. Most of Rebecca's work experience is in the Healthcare field having been a Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medication aide and attending school for a Nursing Degree. She realized later that she liked the business aspect and obtained her Business Degree and moved from direct patient care to the Business Office at a nursing home. Rebecca is excited to be able to expand her knowledge and help the people of Montana in any way that she can. In her spare time, she volunteers with the animal shelter, camps, and loves lake days and long drives.

Rhonda Crouse joined MLSA as an Administrative Assistant in May of 2022. Originally from Canada, Rhonda brings decades of experience to our team. She enjoys golf, crocheting, baking, cooking, and has a black belt in Taekwondo.

Rob was a Justice for Montanans AmeriCorps Member before attending law school at the University of Montana. As a student he volunteered with the MLSA Housing Justice project. As an attorney he worked for several years at a private firm primarily practicing Social Security Disability law, but he also volunteered with MLSA's Montana Eviction Intervention Project and Family Law Clinics. Rob received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and he loves trail running, downhill skiing, and is learning how to cross country ski.

Rylee joined MLSA in 2021 as an Administrative Assistant and she moved into the Pro Bono Assistant role mid-2022. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Minor in Public Health from University of Montana and she is currently working on a Masters in Public Administration. Rylee enjoys hiking, camping, exploring with her husband, Casey, and dog, Theo, during the summers and traveling to warmer climates during the winter.

Shannon joined MLSA in 2024 and before that has a diverse set of career skills and experience in years of social work and case management, loss prevention, and retail management. She has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Kaplan University. Shay is actively involved in her community and a great deal of her time outside of work is spent volunteering. Shay is passionate about working with LGBTQIA teens and also with our unhoused community members. Shay started Wander Woman; a grass roots outreach to feed and clothe those in need in Billings. Shay is excited to be working with MLSA and helping even more people in need in our community. She enjoys spending time in nature, and being home with her family and dogs.

Tim Frederick joined MLSA as an IT Support Technician in 2011. He has worked in a computer related field for over thirty years. In his free time, Tim is an avid outdoorsman.

Valerie Falls Down joined MLSA in July 2021 as a Tribal Advocacy Coordinator for the Tribal Advocacy Incubator Project. Valerie has been appointed to the Montana Supreme Court – Access to Justice Commission to develop, coordinate and implement initiatives to expand access to and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters. Valerie currently holds a license to practice in the Crow Tribal Court. Her prior work experience includes fifteen years working within the Crow Tribal community in different capacities as an Addiction Counselor, Youth Empowerment Coordinator and Domestic Violence Director and Victim Advocate. She has also worked for the Little Big Horn College serving as an Adjunct Instructor in the areas of Legal, Ethical, Professional Issues in Counseling and Multi-Cultural Counseling. Valerie has experience as a five year Board Member for difference organizations including the Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains, Native Woman’s Coalition, Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force and the Montana Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team. Through her work and board member experience she has assisted in the areas of strategic planning, policy development, program management, forming and linking collaborative networks as well as strengthening and fostering community partnerships.

Wednesday received her J.D. from the University of Toledo, College of Law in 2000. After earning her law degree, she spent five years in private practice assisting clients in the areas of guardianship, probate, mental health hearings, criminal defense and ERISA fringe benefits. Ms. Szollosi then served for thirteen years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office bringing civil enforcement cases on behalf of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. She has represented clients before administrative bodies, state and federal courts. Since 2021, Ms. Szollosi has served as a staff attorney with MLSA and focused on disaster and housing law. She holds licenses to practice in Ohio and Montana. Contributions to pro bono and legal services is a valued part of her work.

Yvonne started with MLSA as a Justice for Montanans AmeriCorps member in 2016 before joining MLSA as a Program Assistant in 2017. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Political Science and B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration. She previously served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco from 2012-2014 and as an AmeriCorps Vista from 2014-2016. In her free time, she likes to cook and bake.